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... I work in many settings where I help individuals of all faith backgrounds and practices. I have found that whenever I work with someone, they seem to assume I am of the same faith as they are. I am personally a Episcopa-Jewish Greek Pagan (I was raised Cathli-Jew) - but I don't tell them that. It's not really important - I'm helping THEM with their issues and helping THEM find an answer that is meaningful to THEM in thier faith background, so my OWN personal beliefs and acts of devotion really don't matter. I have told individuals who I have repeated contact with, once I know that they can handle and respect my beliefs, some of what I believe... but those cases are really rare. What I believe doesn't need to be known in the situations where I am helping others.
I think you need to view this prayer group as a chaplain would... you are coming into this group to recieve and give support in a faith-based community. Most Americans are Christian... and some Christians are very conservative in thier views and can't really get where you are coming from. I understand what you are saying in your original post, and I understand why you have carefully avoided using faith-language that reveals your Jewish, Buddhist, and Pagan beliefs. This is because you (correctly, I am assuming) feel that in this particular group, to use that sort of language would exclude you and cause people to focus on your rather than on the prayers of the group as a whole. It makes sense for you to do that.
You need to ask yourself if you should change this. One answer is that you probably shouldn't, and even more importantly you can't... especially if they think Christian is the only "true" faith or that all people should come to faith in Christ. Also, would your doing this upset the dynamics of the group as a whole? Does your NOT saying anything harm the group in any way? From what you have said, I think saying something would be far worse than continuing as you are. The people probably assume that you are Christian because you sound like them from what they are reading, and you don't fit their mental concept of "pagan" or "non-Christian"... and trying to change that mental concept (if at all possible) is NOT your job. If they want or feel the need to learn about other faiths, there's the internet and public libraries.
As for the woman who called everyone her Christian brothers and sisters, it might help you to read "Children of the Gods" or "Children of the Universe" or something like that - that is what I do when I read or hear religiously exclusive language, so that it doesn't "bother" or distract me from the truth being presented. And if people on the list say something negative about other faiths, then you could take time to analyse what they said, and gently remind them that Jesus said we should treat others as we want to be treated, and to not judge others, for by the standard we use, we shall be judged.
Finally, no, I don't think that you are being deceptive. You are just protecting yourself and your beliefs - it is good to have healthy boundaries. It is also healthy for us to have and maintain contact (even if it is only online or via IM) with people with whom we do not agree 100%. It is good and healthy to have a variety of friends with a variety of views... you can learn from these people. I feel you should continue to post in the group, as long as it does not cause you any stress and helps you on your spiritual path.
If you need any further help, don't hesitate to ask!
:loveya:
:hippie: skater314159
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