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mangalavara · Nov 12, 2022

Lately, I have spent more time away from RF. My experience is that the less time I spend on RF, the happier I am. I am happier away from RF because I am not actively participating on a message board where there are very few fellow devotees to discuss Bhagavatī or Bhagavān with. Additionally, I am happier away from RF because I don't have to see all the political content when I am far more interested in religious and spiritual matters. Although games, humor, and silliness are not religious matters, they are much better than politics, except for when the usual political content is inserted into them. Do I think RF is a lousy website? No and yes. No, there are people who enjoy it. Yes, I can easily live without it.

There are a couple of places online that provide the right setting for talking about deities, devotion, and dharma, all within a Hindu context, of course. Henceforth, those are the places where I intend to interact with others in a 'forumly' fashion.

There are some of you who I will remain in contact with by email and perhaps some app. If you want to remain in contact with me, just pm me. When I say 'if you want to remain in contact with me,' I mean if you can see it actually happening. If we have nothing in common, we naturally won't remain in contact.

When it is 7:50 AM KST on 24 November, I will never again log in to RF. That is my intention, at least. There is lunar symbolism involved in the date and timing.

England my lionheart · Nov 12, 2022

I’m sorry you feel this way,I hope you change your mind,

VoidCat · Nov 12, 2022

Thats fair. I wish you well

Trailblazer · Nov 12, 2022

mangalavara said:
Additionally, I am happier away from RF because I don't have to see all the political content when I am far more interested in religious and spiritual matters. Although games, humor, and silliness are not religious matters, they are much better than politics, except for when the usual political content is inserted into them. Do I think RF is a lousy website? No and yes. No, there are people who enjoy it. Yes, I can easily live without it.

There are a couple of places online that provide the right setting for talking about deities, devotion, and dharma, all within a Hindu context, of course. Henceforth, those are the places where I intend to interact with others in a 'forumly' fashion.

I am sorry you are leaving and even though I did not know you very well I always liked what you had to say.
I know what you mean about political stuff, I just ignore those threads.

I have not been posting much on here for a while since the passing of my husband last summer because I have been too depressed to start new threads or answer many posts, but I decided I needed to stay because I need people to talk to right now and I need to get my mind off my grief.

I also felt the need to break away and talk more to people of my own religion so about a week ago I started posting on Baha'i Forums again, having been absent from there for a very long time. And now I have too many people to post to!

Exaltist Ethan · Nov 12, 2022

I'm sure you'll find (better) community elsewhere. Unfortunately being in an extreme religious minority I come off as an apostate if I try any major religious forum targeted towards one exclusive faith, but, as a Hindu I'm sure finding the social aspect of religion is not going to be difficult for you.

I wish you well.

Ella S. · Nov 12, 2022

I have recently returned after around a month break from RF and that month was genuinely more productive to my life and mental health for it.

I intend my return to mostly be for this weekend and do not know when I will come back again.

I used to view this content as a personal challenge to me. Could I interact with content that would otherwise upset me dispassionately? The answer is that I can, so long as I commit to it, but it does test how far I want to commit to impartiality. I usually end up feeling worse no matter whether I choose to be more dispassionate or more emotional because I am making an emotional sacrifice either way.

Those sacrifices build up. I hope that, one day, these won't feel like sacrifices. I need to either internalize Stoic teachings better or abandon them for that to happen.

All of this said, I think I understand where you're coming from and I think your issues are genuine.

Quagmire · Nov 12, 2022

You'll be missed, @mangalavara.

Sorry to see you go, but I hope you find what you're looking for.

John53 · Nov 12, 2022

Heyo · Nov 12, 2022

mangalavara said:
My experience is that the less time I spend on RF, the happier I am.

I have the same experience but for me the causality is reversed. I suffer from clinical depression and when I'm too depressed to be productive, I have time for RF.

Trailblazer · Nov 12, 2022

Heyo said:
I have the same experience but for me the causality is reversed. I suffer from clinical depression and when I'm too depressed to be productive, I have time for RF.

I guess you and I have more than our love for cats in common.

I am trying to drown my sorrows in a new thread I started today since I am not up to doing much else.

Aštra’el · Nov 12, 2022

I admit, I have no idea why this place is called “Religious Forums”.

Sgt. Pepper · Nov 12, 2022

Heyo said:
I have the same experience but for me the causality is reversed. I suffer from clinical depression and when I'm too depressed to be productive, I have time for RF.

Trailblazer said:
I guess you and I have more than our love for cats in common.
I am trying to drown my sorrows in a new thread I started today since I am not up to doing much else.

I share your sentiment about RF. I'm grateful for this site because it's here when I'm sad and having a rough day.

mangalavara · Nov 13, 2022

England my lionheart said:
I’m sorry you feel this way,I hope you change your mind,

Thanks. I hope you change your jumper.

Not that I know anything about it.

VoidCat said:
Thats fair. I wish you well

Thanks. Wishing you well, too.

Trailblazer said:
I know what you mean about political stuff, I just ignore those threads.

They are created all the time. RF is practically PDF (Political Debate Forum).

Trailblazer said:
even though I did not know you very well I always liked what you had to say.

That is kind of you. Thanks.

Trailblazer said:
I have not been posting much on here for a while since the passing of my husband last summer because I have been too depressed to start new threads or answer many posts, but I decided I needed to stay because I need people to talk to right now and I need to get my mind off my grief.

I’m sorry about your loss, Trailblazer. I hope you will be okay.

Exaltist Ethan said:
I'm sure you'll find (better) community elsewhere.

Many years ago, the ULC forums were, in my opinion, the best forums for religious and spiritual discussion. Too bad that version is gone.

Exaltist Ethan said:
Unfortunately being in an extreme religious minority I come off as an apostate if I try any major religious forum targeted towards one exclusive faith

I blame creedalism/confessionalism.

Ella S. said:
I have recently returned after around a month break from RF and that month was genuinely more productive to my life and mental health for it.

I noticed your absence. I am happy to hear about how taking a break from RF personally benefited you.

Quagmire said:
Sorry to see you go, but I hope you find what you're looking for.

Thanks.

Eddi · Nov 13, 2022

Good bye and take care!

Sedim Haba · Nov 13, 2022

I understand completely.

Unless the staff can find some way to allow members to IGNORE the politics sub-forums...

You aren't the first to leave, and won't be the last.

Sirona · Nov 13, 2022

I agree with you that generally speaking, there is a lot of cantankerousness on RF. So much that visiting RF is sometimes exhausting, so I'm also only there once in a while if my state of mind can handle it. However, as for the Hinduism subforum, I found it the best and least censoring of all that I know of. I think it's a sad thing that you're leaving and I don't think your criticism does apply to the Hinduism DIR.

ChristineM · Nov 13, 2022

mangalavara said:
Lately, I have spent more time away from RF. My experience is that the less time I spend on RF, the happier I am. I am happier away from RF because I am not actively participating on a message board where there are very few fellow devotees to discuss Bhagavatī or Bhagavān with. Additionally, I am happier away from RF because I don't have to see all the political content when I am far more interested in religious and spiritual matters. Although games, humor, and silliness are not religious matters, they are much better than politics, except for when the usual political content is inserted into them. Do I think RF is a lousy website? No and yes. No, there are people who enjoy it. Yes, I can easily live without it.

There are a couple of places online that provide the right setting for talking about deities, devotion, and dharma, all within a Hindu context, of course. Henceforth, those are the places where I intend to interact with others in a 'forumly' fashion.

There are some of you who I will remain in contact with by email and perhaps some app. If you want to remain in contact with me, just pm me. When I say 'if you want to remain in contact with me,' I mean if you can see it actually happening. If we have nothing in common, we naturally won't remain in contact.

When it is 7:50 AM KST on 24 November, I will never again log in to RF. That is my intention, at least. There is lunar symbolism involved in the date and timing.

Sorry to see you go, i do enjoy your company here on RF. Hopefully you will return, at least for w comment or two. All the best ..

RestlessSoul · Nov 13, 2022

Trailblazer said:
I am sorry you are leaving and even though I did not know you very well I always liked what you had to say.
I know what you mean about political stuff, I just ignore those threads.

I have not been posting much on here for a while since the passing of my husband last summer because I have been too depressed to start new threads or answer many posts, but I decided I needed to stay because I need people to talk to right now and I need to get my mind off my grief.

I also felt the need to break away and talk more to people of my own religion so about a week ago I started posting on Baha'i Forums again, having been absent from there for a very long time. And now I have too many people to post to!

I didn't realise your husband had passed. Sorry for your loss. Good luck with the next chapter of your life, I hope you can embrace it with renewed hope.

Saint Frankenstein · Nov 13, 2022

mangalavara said:
Lately, I have spent more time away from RF. My experience is that the less time I spend on RF, the happier I am. I am happier away from RF because I am not actively participating on a message board where there are very few fellow devotees to discuss Bhagavatī or Bhagavān with. Additionally, I am happier away from RF because I don't have to see all the political content when I am far more interested in religious and spiritual matters. Although games, humor, and silliness are not religious matters, they are much better than politics, except for when the usual political content is inserted into them. Do I think RF is a lousy website? No and yes. No, there are people who enjoy it. Yes, I can easily live without it.

There are a couple of places online that provide the right setting for talking about deities, devotion, and dharma, all within a Hindu context, of course. Henceforth, those are the places where I intend to interact with others in a 'forumly' fashion.

There are some of you who I will remain in contact with by email and perhaps some app. If you want to remain in contact with me, just pm me. When I say 'if you want to remain in contact with me,' I mean if you can see it actually happening. If we have nothing in common, we naturally won't remain in contact.

When it is 7:50 AM KST on 24 November, I will never again log in to RF. That is my intention, at least. There is lunar symbolism involved in the date and timing.

I'm there with you and so are others. I find this board barely tolerable now and mostly lurk instead of posting anything these days. It's toxic and rude. Take care of yourself above all. 'Social media' is poisonous and it's all just words on a screen at the end of the day, and many of the 'people' at the other end are just bots and fake accounts. It's best to actually go out and talk to real human beings. I've been gone from this board for months at a time and I never end up regretting it. I hope to stay in touch with you as you were always a kind and thoughtful person. Peaceful travels.

mangalavara · Nov 13, 2022

John53 said:

To quote some of my students, 'Oh, God! No!'

Eddi said:
Good bye and take care!

You too, Eddi. I am happy for you regarding your reversion to Christianity.

Sedim Haba said:
Unless the staff can find some way to allow members to IGNORE the politics sub-forums...

That's an idea.

I thought of a new idea tonight. A message board with an inferfaith discussion forum, a religious debate forum, and a few DIR forums. There would also be forums for general discussion, jokes, and journals. Not one political forum would be on the site. And only religious people---theistic, nontheistic, or transtheistic---would be permitted to join. Political debate and attacks would not be tolerated.

Sedim Haba said:
You aren't the first to leave, and won't be the last.

I can hear 'won't be the last' as an echo.

Sirona said:
I don't think your criticism does apply to the Hinduism DIR.

True.

ChristineM said:
i do enjoy your company here on RF.

That's very kind, Christine.

Saint Frankenstein said:
I'm there with you and so are others. I find this board barely tolerable now and mostly lurk instead of posting anything these days. It's toxic and rude. Take care of yourself above all. 'Social media' is poisonous and it's all just words on a screen at the end of the day, and many of the 'people' at the other end are just bots and fake accounts. It's best to actually go out and talk to real human beings. I've been gone from this board for months at a time and I never end up regretting it. I hope to stay in touch with you as you were always a kind and thoughtful person. Peaceful travels.

Well said. Thank you for your kind words. I'll pm you.

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