One of the things that drew me and continues to draw me to this site are the many people with many beliefs, religions and ideas all sharing and being shared with.  The fact that so many with differing views are able to speak and listen and share with so little anger and so vew misunderstandings.  For me, that is very powerful and empowering to all who wish to share.  
I dream of a time when we can all respect each other in our differences and similarities.  I appreciate that we have our own spaces to be with people who are like minded and I appreciate when we can all get together to understand each other better.
Where we try to listen to others, to understand, we have opportunity to grow.  Where we help each other so we aren't afraid of each other, we have the opportunity to work and live together in respect and care.
This site for me affords me the opportunity to understand others better, to talk with those who often don't want to listen.  
I celebrate this site and all the people who are here, sharing their truths and honoring the truths of others, be it through their religion or thru their interests of tarot, palmistry, being psychic.

Okay I am going to prolly make some people mad here, but From what I have read, Prof was just trying to say that if the point in coming HERE is to be open minded and to share and grow, then why would people post somethings that make it seem to people out side of religion that they are trying to convert? I know that there have been times when I myself have read posts and thought, WOW that was a sermon, not a post. and it isn't always in places that I have learned to avoid. I dislike talking about most religions, although I have taken time to learn at least some about all of them. But how can there be so many people who think that we should ALL be able to share ideas, stick to just ONE side of this road? I think that if you want to talk about God, or a higher power, or ANY Deity then do so, but don't preach to the ones who don't believe and don't expect someone who doesn't believe to just accept what you say. Prof has as much right to NOT have to avoid a forum, because of religion as someone else does to be able to talk about it.

Gem has said that it is something that they are looking into changing, so Prof isn't the only one who has said something, he is the only one who has decided (as he put it) to get on a soapbox and let everyone know how he FEELS. Which is, simply a post that you can chose to ignore and not respond to. I know that I have gotten angry at somethings that I have read on here, and that I have responded and argued, but there has to be a point where you figure out that NOTHING you say will change how a person feels and what they think and walk away. Prof is a intelligent person, and I have great respect for many things that he says. But there are things that he has said in the past that made me have to read it again because I didn't believe my own eyes... So instead of letting it get to me, I clicked the back button and let it go. This is one of the things that MANY people have died over, (religion) and that CAN and DOES divide people. I know that I Love MB and that I would hate to think that something like religion can take all the wonder from a place like this. Saying however, passionately what you think, can and is sometimes a good thing. it can lead to a place where understanding is achieved.

But telling someone who doesn't believe that somethings JUST are, is not a way to get a point across, and I think that is part of what Prof was saying. OKAY he gets it, You think God is wondereous, but how can you show to someone who doesn't see it, why you look at it that way? This is a good way to spread understanding, and to make sure that you are not cutting someone from your life who would be an asset simply because they do not see through your eyes.

*gets off the soapbox* Thanks for the loan Prof.

I love many of you who have responded to this, and I will love you no matter what you think of what I have said. But instead of complaining to Prof. Why don't you ask him about WHY he felt he should make this topic, and if there is a way that he thinks religion could co exsit in this place. I have not see ONE attempt at that So I WILL ask.

Prof,

   Please let me know why ya made this topic, and is there a way that you could co exsit with a religious topic?

            Love to you all,
                                  Nyte

Mystikal Miss you have my point, I'm not against anyone expressing their views what I am against is these reams of religious rubbish that clog up an otherwise entertaining board.
I was on another board the other day - nothing to with matters spiritual and this buch of people kept coming saying stuff like, 'I believe in God the Father and Jesus is my saviour.'
It had nothing whatsoever to do with the ideas under discussion and the same thing happens here;someone comes on makes a statement and then gets all huffy and fluffy when you question why they are here.
If you don't want to get into a discussion keep your mouth shut, I don't mind discussing this - or most other things and if you have a view - feel free to express it but don't dress it up as 'The word of this god or that god and it must not be questioned - because he says so.'
I'm not American but I feel I have a right to a view on George Bush, I'm not fighting in Iraq (I'm too old) but I have views on the rightness of the conflict.
When dattaswami is allowed to put reams of stuff about what this guy said or that guy promised and no-one says anything then he'll continue and I think it's wrong.

My last statement here. There is a difference between saying proselytizing is unacceptable, with no desire for discussion, just blind acceptance and saying people of religion don't belong here and conversations of religion don't belong.
I don't think this is a place of single mindedness, it is a place of being open-minded.
I do take exception to what I read, there is no room for people of religion here.
I agree, this is an open minded place where people are free to discuss religion and give their opinions, ask questions and challenge nicely, what has been stated.

Hmm its always a difficult and emotive subject and i always try and have an open mind.  You will notice some changes in spirituality if you visit there.

I like freedom of speech and try hard not to censure people except when in my opinion they are being mean and horrible to others.  I see where everyone comes from however all this aside i will hope you all make contributions to spirituality (I moderate it)