Religion can be good for your mental health

Thanks friends for your kind comments. Much appreciated!

I have an article on "Who is God?", written for a different Forum two years ago .
They are my own personal thoughts on the subject, and although this can be a very contraversial , it got a lot of interest, without people falling out over it.

Tolerance was shown to all taking part in the following discussion!

If it is considered suitable I'll post it on here - with your permission?

Gramps An insightful and thoughtful post.

Gramps - I don't think you need anyone's permission to post.

Go for it old man!

I would like to read it too, Gramps.

Post away, Gramps - we enjoy stimulating debate.

Not everyone wants hugs and 'being there' When DH was in hospital he said that I was to see that the religious visiting lady didn't come near his bed. He felt that being ill he didn't want to have to cope with her.

One needs to feel understood and and holding hands is as good as anything. You have to be careful with hugging. Not everyone wants it or needs it.
MIL hated being stroked on her cheek etc when she was in care during the last months. She hated it.

Well said Gramps

Margaret - I would probably have a relapse if anybody except my family and close friends tried to hug or touch me in hospital! I assumed everybody knew we were talking about our nearest and dearest!

When I was having yet another miscarriage I was hugged by a Ward Orderly who was a complete stranger and I really appreciated it. She was so sympathetic and understanding. Sometimes a hug from a stranger can be just what you need.

Each to his own, Alison. I don't want to be hugged by a stranger. (And especially not if the stranger was religious!)

Greatnan I have no idea whether she was religious or not, she was just a mother who had had children without difficulty and felt so sorry for me and all that I had gone through. It was the middle of the night and I was crying because I could hear a baby in the side ward. I don't know how else she could have shown how deeply she felt.

I am not criticising either her or you , Alison, I am just saying that I don't like to be touched by strangers. I have just about got used to the kiss-kiss habit every time I am introduced to somebody here. And it is kiss-kiss-kiss in Switzerland.

That's very sad Alison. I'm glad you went on to become a mum and a granny.

I think the hug would have been very welcome.

That air kissing is stupid. Means nothing.

It means the same as a handshake, which is not nothing.

JO4 thanks. Yes I finally succeeded with 3 out of 10 and I love them all to bits!

I'm sorry too, Alison. I had two miscarriages and those were both heartbreaking, but thank goodness got there in the end!
I absolutely hate air kissing and hugging people you hardly know. A handshake is traditional and straightforward and there's none of that awkward lunging...

Alison, in the circumstances, you needed that hug more than anything.

Gosh, Alison! That must have been very hard, especially if you had them all before you had any kids. Glad you succeeded in the end . Have you heard about the latest research on recurrent miscarriages? Apparently it's now thought that the most fertile women have more miscarriages than others because their uteri are so good at implanting even unviable embryos.

Anyway, I reckon I would have appreciated that hug too. Glad you got it

Alison - I would have loved a hug like that. What a tough time you must have had and it's delightful to hear you carried on and had your 3.

I hate people who keep on touching you!
I've a judge (female) who does it. I keep edging away but she seems to follow! Help!

Sometimes when words seem trite, a hug just seems natural and right. But air kissing, I hate especially if both parties are wearing specs.

Alison I understand how much that hug meant to you. I lost two babies. One at nearly six month stage of pregnancy. I had no one to console me throughout. A hug, albeit from a stranger, would have meant so much to me.

I'm glad you had your hug, Alison. Hugs weren't all that plentiful,when we were younger, were they?