What can we do to make sure minority faiths are welcome here?

[Bellaon7]

I understand there's naturaly going to be less activity minority boards, but I've noticed there seems to be next to no activity on some of the minority boards. I don't beleive it's because they're not welcome, but rather they don't understand how welcome they actully are. I beleive we are obligated to show minorities an extra level of sensitivity and willngness to listen & let their voices be heard, as that is the American way & more importantly the right thing to do.

[finewine]

I understand there's naturaly going to be less activity minority boards, but I've noticed there seems to be next to no activity on some of the minority boards. I don't beleive it's because they're not welcome, but rather they don't understand how welcome they actully are. I beleive we are obligated to show minorities an extra level of sensitivity and willngness to listen & let their voices be heard, as that is the American way & more importantly the right thing to do.

Unless this community actively courts minority faiths (which I don't think would be appropriate - faith & religion isn't the primary purpose of this forum) I'm not sure what you're suggesting we do?

As you said, it's not that any of them are unwelcome and as for sensitivity etc., I personally would say it should be a point of equity...minority beliefs/opinions should be equally welcomed and equally scrutinized.  I would completely agree that a minority should not be subject to discrimination or suppression in any way - but I also don't believe minority status obviates one from being intellectually challenged either.

A minority should get the same "rights" as everyone else; no more - no less.

[Arch]

Christianity is the only forum that gets all that much activity, probably because Christians are a majority, at least in this country. As for other belief systems, they're on "minority" boards because the people who follow those faiths are in the minority. So isn't it logical that those boards get less traffic?

If people want to discuss religion and spirituality, they know to go to the spirituality forums. If you want to start a discussion on a particular religious topic, then by all means feel free. But bear in mind that a lot of LGBT people, perhaps trans people in particular, are likely to feel jaded about religion. Perhaps this is why there isn't as much activity in the religion forums as you would like. Apart from providing a space for minority believers to speak--which Susan already does--I don't see that she is obligated to do more, any more than she is obligated to promote, say, particular minority political parties or sexual orientations or anything else for that matter.

So I guess I'm with Finewine. I'm not sure what you're looking for. You are free to explore all sorts of topics on all sorts of forums, but that's up to you, of course.

Speaking as a person with a minority sexual orientation, a minority political belief, and a minority religious belief, I don't feel at all excluded here with respect to any of these areas. Do you? If so, why? I must confess that I'm kinda curious.

[lisagurl]

Spirituality is a very private thing. There are 6.7 billion private religions. There are also many politically active religions that organize people into groups which each individual still has a personal view but wants to be part of a larger group. These groups can and do express a political agenda.

[Bellaon7]

Here's what I was trying to get at. Religion can be a touchy subject to begin with. The ts/tg comm is a minority to begin with, being ts/tg & a minority religion is a very small minority. I don't suggest we go out & actively recruite or show preferential, treatment to, but rather cut them some slack as far as letting them have their say w/o just piling on because we may dissagree. I haven't seen this happen to anyone & am not accusing anyone this or anything else. I am curious to learn about other religions from those that practice them rather than the dry dvds from the library.   

[lisagurl]

rather than the dry dvds from the library

You want entertainment just like the media. Facts are dry not entertaining.

[Steph]

I understand there's naturaly going to be less activity minority boards, but I've noticed there seems to be next to no activity on some of the minority boards. I don't beleive it's because they're not welcome, but rather they don't understand how welcome they actully are. I beleive we are obligated to show minorities an extra level of sensitivity and willngness to listen & let their voices be heard, as that is the American way & more importantly the right thing to do.

Drag them in kicking and screaming huh.  Remember we're not all Americans here, so the American way may not interest them.

-={LR}=-

[Susan]

No one should be piling on people of other faiths.

In addition to these rules, I'm adding the Ten Commandments of the Spirituality forum:

    * Thou shalt respect all people of all faiths.
    * Thou shalt not flame.
    * Thou shalt never post your spiritual opinion as fact. Thy language should always be such that "you think" about a topic or a faith.
    * Thou shalt not cast thy judgement on your fellow soul. The position of Supreme Judge has already been filled.
    * Thou shalt never proselytize. Such posts will be deleted on sight.
    * Thou shalt never call another's holy writ "garbage" or otherwise demean sacred texts. Whether it's The Bible, the Quran, or the Wiccan Rede, all scriptures are sacred to those who follow them. Treat them accordingly.
    * Thy shouldst keep thy posts in the appropriate forum. The general Spirituality forum is for general discussions of faith for everyone. Specific beliefs should be moved to the appropriate beliefs section.
    * Remember the Spirituality forum, keep it holy. If thy opinion is that thou hatest religion, the Philosophy forum might be for thee.
    * Thou shalt keep thy posts on topic. If thee wishest to start a new thread, please do so.
    * Thou shalt never pisseth off thy moderator. Thy moderator has a long fuse, but when it burns out, thou wilst see the unmistakable image of the mushroom cloud as it wipes out thy post into oblivion. >

[Steph]

No one should be piling on people of other faiths.

Now this is not intended to "Pisseth off" the Moderator however I have a couple of observations to pass on:

Firstly, I feel that some religious groups/minorities may find that the reference to a "Supreme Being" offensive especially if their faith doesn't believe in one.

Secondly, comparing the rules that govern this forum to the Christian Laws, and wording them in a Christian tone (Thou,for example) kinda defeats the purpose of making all groups welcome.

Thirdly asking folks to keep this forum "Holy" may be considered as blasphemy by others for by who's right are the words written/posted to the forum "Holy".

And fourth, it is obvious what the phrase "Pisseth off" means and such a phrase may be considered disrespectful by those who participate here.

The rules are generally very good but...

Just my thoughts...

-={LR}=-

[Miniar]

If you want to learn about X you could start a thread going "Any X-ers/ists/ians/whichever applies, here?" and then follow that up with questions you have you might want answered.

[Sarah Louise]

I'm sorry, the name of this site is Susan's "Transgender Forums", not Religious forums.

This is a support site for all who come with questions about Transgender issues.

The fact that Susan added a sub forum for Spirituality was just that an Add On.  It would be impossible to put a subsection for each and every variation of beliefs (or non beliefs).  No one has been kept from posting here and as far as I know, no individual idea has been unfairly ridiculed.

What is the glue that holds us together here is our GID issues, not our religious beliefs.

My opinions only, I am not saying this as a Moderator.

Sarah L.

[Bellaon7]

If you want to learn about X you could start a thread going "Any X-ers/ists/ians/whichever applies, here?" and then follow that up with questions you have you might want answered.

I think that sounds like a very good idea although I have to confess that my level of understanding on several religions is so low it's hard to think of questions to ask. 

[Miniar]

then you can start with "what does X entail exactly?"

[Arch]

I think that sounds like a very good idea although I have to confess that my level of understanding on several religions is so low it's hard to think of questions to ask.

I know what you mean--but it sounds like Wikipedia might be a good place to go before you start any threads with particular questions. I know, it's boring, and you're looking for that personal perspective--but maybe just start with Wikipedia and proceed from there. At the very least, you'll probably find lots of fascinating questions to ask in the spirituality forum, and then maybe you'll have a cool conversation on your hands.

[Bellaon7]

Ty Arch, that's not a bad idea at all, I actually go to wik even though it's a running joke to others. They pass most fact checks & I do go there a lot. I should have been more clear to all that I am interested in learning through ts/tg perspectives rather approaching through usual means, I just value it more on a personal level.