I do not believe in God. I am Agnostic and totally okay with that. I was raised Roman Catholic and studied many different religions. I believe in science. I see so many posts that are about God and Jesus. I believe that people have the right to believe, not believe, whatever, but it's frustrating to see post after post about how 'God brought this anxiety on us and how he can take it away'. I believe in my own power to get through this. I'm just looking for open-minded people to talk about whatever is going on without going into spiritual beliefs.

Thank you for bringing this up! I am also Agnostic. I appreciate that people are trying to be helpful when they post religiously-based comments, but it really doesn't help me at all. So now that there are 2 of us, maybe we can get a dialog going?

Trinitymn, BrandyDog, Greenday,Mainstaymama, - I agree with all of you. I have stayed out of any religious posts or comments due to the fact that I was trying to focus on what the program was set up for. The program has designated a spiritual section for comments, which from what I see has become very religious centered. Not sure if this was a good idea but it is not my decision to decide what forums they design. I don't think I will be posting anything further here although I will continue the program as it has helped me immensely. I was not looking for a religious program, as I meet my needs for this in another way with other groups.

Hi Everyone,
First of all I do believe in God but I come to this site and post to help or be helped by others having the same problems as I do with anxiety and depression. I want to stay focused on the program and my recovery. I believe God wants me and all of us to be better but I also believe he wants you to do the work yourself. Because if he does it for you, what have you learned...nothing. Learning is experiencing and doing the work to achieve your goal. And if you are like me, that goal is recovery.

All my best to everyone working towards recovery,
Inside Man

Thanks to all you religious folks who agree that people shouldn't be proselytizing on the message boards. I must admit, I was a little nervous when I replied to TrinityMN, because I thought this would open me up to being flamed. I appreciate that we're all on the same page here.

I'm just grateful to all who have responded that I was not alone in my quest for a forum that didn't include religion. I feel supported and it was very hard to come out and say how I felt because I knew I could get hit hard and I did by some, but I appreciate having people that I can talk with that are appreciative of all representations.

So, now I will move on... I am finding it difficult to have my spiral notebook of negative thoughts around me all the time. It seems I need to make more of an effort to remind myself to carry it with me. I'll have thoughts while driving or dropping/picking my son up from school, I'm constantly getting distracted by my son's time/schedule/homework, etc... not ideal times to stop and write. Has anyone that has small children found a way to make this a little more manageable? Thanks!

I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for but I started a thread for those of us who aren't Christian awhile ago.

http://bbs.stresscenter.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/613105472/m/5751057013

You may find some comfort in some of the things discussed by members in there. I am also an Agnostic.

- Beat

I was reading around and noticed this too. None of this talk was in the tv commercial I saw. Is this a religion based program and if so, which religion? I have very strong Christian beliefs myself but if this program doesn't jive with mine then I would have wasted an awful lot of money. I thought this was for anxiety and depression recovery, not to build my faith. LOL, I need a xanax!

Peanuts and all,

Carolyn Dickman, who has worked with the Midwest Center for Attacking Anxiety and Depression for over 22 years read your post this morning then PM'd a letter to me that she sent to another member last week. Because of time contraints on her today she asked me to post that letter/email here. This is about the identical subject you are referring to.

-----------------------------
“You asked about the website and all the religious/spiritual posts and wondered if you purchased a program based on that...No.

My advice: get off the computer and do the program. The website is open as a free extra to those that wish to use it.

You purchased a structured, self-directed course that teaches life management skills. Do the first 4 lesson, one week at a time. See the page headed, 'As you being.' in the first guidebook for the weekly structure. After doing those lessons you will clearly see what we are all about.

People on the website can be overly zealous at times. We don't have control over what others believe...we do know after 22 years...that the program (AA&D) works as you work it.

I wish you well and hope you will let me know how you are doing. Thanks for your candor, Carolyn”
----------------
End of Email

BeatAnxiety and Peanuts, thank you for your posts. I too was getting a 'little too much' for my comfort level. I also want to focus on recovering and living a happier, healthier life not talking about religion.
How is everyone doing?
I'm having trouble with the 'homework' part of Session 3, finding the time and being a mom...

Oh thank you so much for answering. I must say, I was a little thrown at first, especially when I was asked what religion I was in order to sign up! I thought maybe there were several versions of this program and you had to order the version in your faith?? I haven’t ordered this program yet as I’m still deciding. I wondered if I could find out a little more so I looked for a website about it and found one.

TrinityMN, I wish I could help you but I don’t own this program so I’m not the person to help with your homework. I do have a young child so I know what you’re talking about there! I also understand about you wanting to focus on your recovery. I wasn't looking to discuss any religion myself, I was looking for help with the mess I’ve gotten myself into. I listened to too many doctors, found myself on too many medications, and now I’m lost in a sea of prescriptions that don’t help me much. I want to throw them all out and start fresh. I’m tired of looking for my life in a prescription bottle, lol.

Peanuts... I can relate to every word that you say!

Sorry--work got a little crazy, so I couldn't continue talking. I've gone through the program, and it was worth every dime. For me, just learning that something was a symptom of my anxiety was enough to remove its power over me (especially obsessive, scary thoughts).

I'm not sure that calling it "homework" doesn't automatically make it more difficult for everyone. It conjures up too many grade school memories I preferred thinking of it as my opportunity to tailor the program to my own needs--sort of a voyage of self-discovery.