my name is benika☺️ and I just want to say a short thankyou to the fellow brethren who advised dme and helped me out a while ago ,when i thought i committed the unforgiveable sin.
However, my walk has been progressing and i’ve been getting closer to Christ but along my way i’ve had a few personal and spiritual revelations especially with my heart and i hope that you pray for me:
• im seriously struggling with pride and religious pride e,g; thinking im better than people or thoughts that i have more faith than other christian’s. i’ve tried to fast and pray for deliverance becuase i don’t want this and i know these thoughts and feelings are not from God , pls pray for me
• also the enemy has attempted to plant doubt in my heart and i try to counteract it with the TRUTH but he places blasphemous lies & thoughts about God in my mind causing me great despair
• please pray for my deliverance of being unrepentant and sitting in my guilt after i sin
• pls pray for my obedience to God and , pls pls pls pray for the protection of the church and for God protection upon us against spiritual warfare.
i believe that my prayers are heard and God has protected me, comforted me and heart my supplications for others ,however, i know that prayers of friends help too and i hope that many will pray for me as the intrusive thoughts are driving me to OCD and despair as i find myself repeating Scripture in my head over and over again to make myself feel better.

my name is benika☺️ and I just want to say a short thankyou to the fellow brethren who advised dme and helped me out a while ago ,when i thought i committed the unforgiveable sin.
However, my walk has been progressing and i’ve been getting closer to Christ but along my way i’ve had a few personal and spiritual revelations especially with my heart and i hope that you pray for me:
• im seriously struggling with pride and religious pride e,g; thinking im better than people or thoughts that i have more faith than other christian’s. i’ve tried to fast and pray for deliverance becuase i don’t want this and i know these thoughts and feelings are not from God , pls pray for me
• also the enemy has attempted to plant doubt in my heart and i try to counteract it with the TRUTH but he places blasphemous lies & thoughts about God in my mind causing me great despair
• please pray for my deliverance of being unrepentant and sitting in my guilt after i sin
• pls pray for my obedience to God and , pls pls pls pray for the protection of the church and for God protection upon us against spiritual warfare.
i believe that my prayers are heard and God has protected me, comforted me and heart my supplications for others ,however, i know that prayers of friends help too and i hope that many will pray for me as the intrusive thoughts are driving me to OCD and despair as i find myself repeating Scripture in my head over and over again to make myself feel better.

I feel Thrissur similar to Coastal Karnataka with entrepreneur culture, gold business, and multi-religious society of Hindu-Muslim-Christian.
What about other areas in Kerala?

mine my latest dream

I had a very vivid dream that I was in a partially wrecked building, weapons and gear were stored and we were suffering bombardment from small explosive rounds.
I geared up with a rocket launcher and went to the front; from a distance I could see dark figures firing at us they seemed middle eastern but the appearance seemed just that, an appearance. Their energy connected to a central source and the feeling I got was they were connected to the elite .
I shot off a few rounds with the launcher and then started launching some kind of bladed projectile which I envisioned impaling several of the offenders; I was running out of ammo and reached for the small nuclear warheads at which point the enemy dispersed. They were too close to fire on for it to have spared our lives.
My vision then shifted to a battle of two skys
the upper sky which I felt was the creator or god was sending massive energy pulses to the lower sky, I observed from between them and after around ten bursts I was asked if it had removed the cold from the earth, I answered yes, it had.

that one was a trip.
sis/ rip

Another dire warning in dream state
Last night as usual in my dream state I wandered into an area which was full of underlying religious context I was fighting the unseen dark influences and warding off demonic possession by repeating over and over the lords prayer, while surrounded by all the evils of the world, but very curiously I never got passed “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” until about the fifth time of chanting, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this prayer it is as follows.
Our father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
For thine is the power and the glory forever and ever
Amen.
After then I awoke abruptly at “give us this day our daily bread forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
This to me meant that we are about to be forced into a time when this prophecy called the book of revelations is about to become a reality meaning Gods will is upon us, and God is at hand in the works of the people and in these the last days this prayer to me is all about humbly thanking God for every small blessing and asking for his help and guidance in every aspect of our lives great and small but keeping humble requests and having gratitude for anything more that he bestows on our lives and so this is the message I send out to you for now is the time of repentance.
BE WARNED, and be READY!
I may seem to you to be a bible thumping quack don’t say you were not forewarned in the end when you come face to face with your own judgments in the presence of your maker you have 2 and 1/2 years before you will see for yourself that sooner was most definitely better than later in this case all hell is about to break lose and later is just too late!
In that same dream I had a personal warning that a man and woman would enter my life asking for a personal favor and as I submitted to their request in the end I was betrayed and left in utter disarray in my life possibly facing legal hardship from them. //
Are we headed for drought and famine?
How many years has it been since we as a society believed the end was eminant? Since the great depression? since world war1, or worldwar2? and each time we are very pleasantly and ecstaticly relieved when the end is never in sight, and each time we feel foolish don’t we? What if all of that were to change, would we see it or know it? Maybe there is that one person who told us it was coming and we disregarded their words as the rantings of a mentally ill person You never truly know it is over until you are facing the ugliness of those final moments but we can all agree that we as a whole are working up to it each and every generation and we can feel our own mortality as we slip into unknown territory full of terrorism and nuclear bomb threaghts. What if the answer was as simple as finding our footing in the spiritual realm becoming more harmonious with the earth and with human beings around us in other words what if their were a guarantee that if we prayed or at least became spiritually aware we would be saved? would we do this very simple task, would others around us follow our lead? What if I told you all it takes to save the town you’re in is 20 people who were connected in mind and soul to the what society calls THE GODHEAD? I had a dream a few nights ago where I stood in a foreign country I felt it was europe and many different people were around with accents that to me seemed as though they were from multiple tongues and nations and they were mulling around and drinking and living just everyday lives full of materialism and wickedness in other words what has become the norm all around the world and in the midst of them I was trying to tell them of an impending event that was about to happen that they needed to prepare for. But to no avail I was completely ignored by all still I kept trying telling them there was going to be a great drought and a food shortage that would effect the whole world and would move from country to country like a great domino effect but it seemed as though even upon hearing numerous lives would be lost they continued in their faithful disobedience over and over I repeated myself and it seemed to me they were in great disbelief that this was at all possible and in the end of the dream I finally said God has told me to tell you their will be a great drought and famine and that if you do not want your countries to fall into starvation you should prepare for it then I awoke. When I woke up I was in shock for God was never in my dream, and not once have I spoken with him personally and yet still it felt as though I had the authority to say these exact words that they were ordained directly from God! A few days later I had yet another dream I was in a place after the bombs settled and saw the oceans and seas the land had radiation through out and the water was greatly poisoned by this radiation and the sharks and fish were changing over a period of time I saw multiple generations of grotesquely mutated life and was in great fear then I saw multiple babies being created in a scientific way in order to carry on the human lineage and a very dark in nature group moving to seek out and destroy these babies that were close to reaching full gestation, I had the distinct feeling we humans were becoming less and less able to procreate in the conventienal way. And lastnight I dreamt I was traveling accrossed the sea, in specific the medateranian sea having a very beautiful feeling great things were going to happen when I came accrossed a small family that seemed very important for some reason, they lived in a very small area in simple surroundings and their was a birthday taking place it was the 5th or 6th birthday of a boy I felt I needed to attend the birthday of, and they were happy to see me allowing my prescence with open arms, but when I wanted to bring others they weren’t very accomodating feeling towards the Idea when I awoke I felt as though that young boy was very important somehow to a significant event that will take place futuristically. At first I wasn’t sure the significance of the information I am about to disclose but I decided that it just may be pertinent, I was definately in an area that boating seemed a pass time and my brain hit on Ionian sea and the young boy was in a sea cavern with smoke coming from his ears as his parents did also, it was an area where Manta Rays were most prevalent, along with a moderate amount of dolphins near by very few deadly sharks in comparrison to the other aquatic life and an occassional whale perhaps this boy is not an actual boy but a smaller volcano alongside two larger ones, whic is why I saw smoke coming from the ears meaning it was about to come to an eruptive head, in which the boys age was five maybe perhaps pin pointing the time it is to going to erupt. There are alot of different meanings we can take from this dream. //
Do we really think we are safe?
What happens if America is right in the fact that President Obama is the fated Anti-Christ? What then? Is there anything we can truly do about it? At best this proves the struggle between good and evil does exists and there is a God, a messiah, and A Lucifer (devil), or Satan however you were raised to call him. Ok now imagine we can stop him from his achieving full power, just pretend somehow we could, or that we do and off sounds the trumpet? Christians save the day yeehaa yippy kiyay Do we think for an instant oh the struggle is over whew, we can finally breathe easy, boy that was close, I’m so glad we passed the test, ding dong the witch is dead! Or do we wait for the next Anti-Christ, and the next, and the next, how many times can we thwart his full power inevitably he will rise in the end no matter how hard we fight to keep him away right? So why not let him come and turn over in the end the rule of the earth to the second coming of our messiah, the lord of lords, and king of kings Are we that afraid of facing God Almighty? Understandably we are all afraid we are not in the book of life,for only the sainted, and virginal, and truly Godly are written in the book of life those, who are hand picked from the start by God himself to exist the last days before the second coming, only the handicapped, truly compassionate right? Well guess how many of us that describes, not me and if you are able to read and understand this not you probably, oh just because there are priests and bishops and preachers and popes in the world most likely non of them qualify, and our Jewish population I’m pretty certain absolutely none of them are in the book of life! After all the Jews needlessly slaughtered the saints and their own King to boot if anything the Jews should rue the day they ever meet wit their maker! Mayhap it’s better to allow this time to pass and hope that gods mercy be upon us or even do one better change our greedy, hateful, unforgiving ways, pray constantly for direction and guidance, repent, and seek counsel in the holy ghost, and give whole heartedly our penance to the lord our lamb, to present a case on our behalf to the almighty heavenly father this is the only way we can be of light heart, and easy mind and maybe find worthiness in Gods eyes, then let the Antichrist come as we Christians ban together to survive in the latter days in other words prepare for the worst and hope for the best. If God finds us worthy worst case scenario we are killed right away or perhaps we are not bothered at all because we have repented, remember that to repent is to ask forgiveness with a broken heart, and humble nature never to do what we are repenting of again! This may sound hard and maybe we are all waiting for definitive proof of Gods existence before we do this but seriously it will be too late the tribulation for you will be too great and you most likely need to take the side that gives you instantaneous relief from your misery.
We know who will rise victoriously why not allow it? And in the end all of the secrets and deceptions that were created will be revealed and all of our own perversions of the true church will be done away with I say let it come about, Let the saints finally taste revenge for all that man has spoiled, perverted, and destroyed, and let god fill his cup with the grapes of wrath. //
Governmental knockdown?
This last dream I’m very uncertain if it was tied into anything or not but warned of a big fight between two male entities that one of which was very large in stature and appeared to me like the archangel Michael who I felt was my fiercest and personal protector he seemed very close spiritually to me I’m not sure why but the warring was going on with a very dark and much smaller male figure and completely evil it was very disturbing as I saw a great blow to the head taken by Michael but only after he delivered one to his foe which was not very damaging, and Michael who was standing in front of me in position and mind to protect me, fell to the ground but I waited around to see whether he raised again and I remember thinking it was impossible for him to be dead so I stayed and kept waiting for his rising thinking it would be any second then I awoke was it real if so what does it mean? Is it a possibility God will allow Satan and his dominion such power over even his own archangels to be defeated for a short time and leave his children completely at the mercy of the devil? In the dream I remember feeling vulnerable to the will of the dark force before me but also strangely feeling as though I wasn’t going to be gone after as I stayed vigilant in my loyalty to my protector bidding his rising fervently and in complete disbelief that he was dead.
Upon further reflection of this dream I came to the possible conclusion that the male entities were symbolic of the government we could all depend on protecting us and the smaller figure was a darker change in our government infrastructure knocking down our protective defenses and leaving our government vulnerable to darker government influences which intended the country harm. And that if we stay loyal and vigil we can avoid the harmful effects and changes about to be a possible driving force in our country.

https://web.archive.org/web/20100823131345/http://theruthlesstruth.com/wordpress/
the rest under pages starting at the rambling poet most are my late sisters

To start, I’m looking for criticism and hole poking. So downvote if you must, but at least explain why so I can help my own understanding. Thank you!
This is from a comment I made yesterday. I’m working through my own understanding of this and an interested in feedback and criticism. But part of my view is a critique of the moral/civil/ceremonial division of the law. I understand that a division of the law is seen by both Sts Augustine and Thomas Aquinas (though a bit differently). I’m not debating the patristic tradition, but rather the underlying logic those saints used.
I also recognize there is another tradition which states most of the laws given at Sinai were given because of the golden calf incident and thus were abolished by Christ (this is found in the apocryphal apostolic constitutions If I remember correctly). But again, I question the logic.
The reason I question this logic is this: why would Matthew include the “fulfill not abolish” language in his Gospel if this statement ceased to be of importance after the ascension (when the book was written, assuming the tripartite division, in effect, abolishes 2/3 of the law for the Christian). I also question the natural law methodology for determining what is moral law. I understand a “moral” act as an act that God says is good. Since all goodness is of God, then anything commanded by God would be considered moral to obey. Thus, even minor “ceremonial” laws would be considered moral to obey and immoral to violate. This would effectively render every law of the Torah a “moral law”.
Anyway, on to my proposition. I don’t claim to have patristic evidence for this framework. But this framework does arrive at a very similar effect for the average Christian as the tripartite division does, but it gets there in a very different way, one that makes WAY more sense in my brain. So if y’all can poke holes, please do. If yall can show I’m wildly misunderstanding the tripartite division or natural law or morality, please do.
This particular area I’ve been doing A LOT (last 6-9 months) of soul searching/prayer and study on because I don’t like the “moral/ceremonial/civil” distinction. I don’t think the Torah makes any such distinction and that the distinction only works when read back onto the Torah in light of church teaching. Which is FINE and good for arriving at an answer as a Catholic. But I don’t think it’s the logic the 1st and 2nd generation church would’ve used.
We keep the whole law of the Old Testament; Christ came to fulfill, not abolish. The difference is that it doesn’t quite look the same because

1. ⁠We assume the ancient Israelites enforced the Torah EXACTLY the way it’s read. Break a law? Straight to stoning. But this isn’t how it worked. There were courts and burdens of proof. AND there was a chance for repentance. King David, a man after God’s own heart commits murder AND adultery (and tacitly admits to it when confronted) and yet he repents! By some modern folks reading he should’ve been executed according to the Torah.
   
2. ⁠Christ has come. The thing that the entire OT was building up to happened. So our understanding of things changed. The covenant with Noah didn’t negate the covenant with Abraham, but things certainly look different after Noah. Same with Noah to Abrahamic covenant. Same when the covenant is given through Moses as Mt Sinai. The old is not abrogated, but it is built upon and things after look very different.
   

So, where are all the cleanliness laws, sacrificial laws, feasts, ritual washings etc etc? Well, it’s baked into the new covenant and by extension the church. Some examples:

1. ⁠Sacrificial law: Christ IS most of those sacrifices. He is a sacrifice of thanksgiving (Eucharist literally means thanksgiving), a sacrifice for sin (by his stripes we are healed), a Passover sacrifice (through which we are spared death and brought to life), the day of atonement sacrifice (he is both goats, the goat that takes away the sin and the goat who’s blood purifies the whole camp, now understood to be the whole earth). We still have morning and evening sacrifices (Lauds and Vespers, sacrifices of praise, in the Latin tradition). We still do incense offerings even at Mass and more traditional lauds and vespers celebrations.
   
2. ⁠Cleanliness: this one is entirely wrapped up in the day of atonement. If his blood cleanses the whole world, how can something be called intrinsically unclean? This means that nothing (including food, clothing, or people) are intrinsically unclean. Rather we (and objects) are defiled by what we do (or how it is used). Thus we are still not to have anything to do with unclean things, but what exactly is unclean has changed. You can see this in the fact we purify/cleanse altars that have been desecrated.
   
3. ⁠Ritual washings: baptism, holy water before entering the church, sprinkling over people at high feasts, foot washing
   
4. ⁠Feasts: Pentecost was an Israelite holiday that we still celebrate, Passover is Easter, feast of booths is transfiguration, etc. we just have them renamed for they BECAME to us through the establishment of the new covenant
   
5. ⁠Tabernacle/temple construction: traditional church architecture still abides by the general layout. Holy of Holies: tabernacle and sanctuary. Holy place: knave. Inner court: vestibule. Outer court: the world. Through Christs redemption everyone has moved a step closer to God. Those of relegated to never being in the temple are always in the outer court. But we can all enter the inner court (vestibule). The holy place is not relegated to just priests, but the priesthood of all believers (Catholics in the knave). The priests can all now go into the holy of holies (sanctuary/tabernacle). And instead of one priest once a year going in to God, God comes out to us in the Eucharist.
   
6. ⁠As for the remaining punitive laws, most people only have issue with the penalties assigned. But we’ve already talked about under what circumstances those penalties would be enforced. Basically you had to be unrepentant. So in the Christian understanding, what is consequence of sin? Death. What is death? Well there’s physical death (separation of soul from body) and there’s spiritual death (separation of soul from God). A person who lives in sin without repentance is dying or dead (venial vs mortal sin). And when recognized by the church in a lot of cases an excommunication would be pronounced. This separation from the church, separation of a branch from the true vine. A branch separated is dead. So we don’t execute people as the church, but the church long recognized the civil government’s authority to do so. And even without that, sin is death, and excommunication is death. But it’s important to note that in NO way was the average Israelite running around pronouncing death penalties on people. They had courts and priests that did this. Same as we have tribunals and priests and bishops who do this.
   
7. ⁠Circumcision: this is fulfilled with baptism. It’s the outward sign of entrance into the people of God. Circumcision to become a part of the OT people of God and baptism for the New covenant people of God.
   
8. ⁠A lot of the specifics are alterable with time and circumstance (Jesus gives the apostles this authority with the ability to “bind and loose”). Even in the OT this happened between exodus law in the wilderness vs changes that happen with Leviticus and Deuteronomy since they’re readying to enter the promised land and not be a nomadic people in the wilderness. And even by extra biblical accounts, the specifics had changed a bit in the rituals by the time of the second temple era. Yet Jesus still tells the people to submit to the valid authority of the religious leadership of the day; he notably doesn’t tell them to interpret the Torah for themselves and correct the instructions of priests and rabbis.
   

So practically speaking, yes the triple category can still be laid out. Our ceremonial law is more governed by our liturgical books than Leviticus on a literal front, and our civil law is found in Canon law now, and moral laws (as we have defined the moral life) is still found in the OT among many other places. But all of it is still rooted in what the people of God have been practicing since Mt Sinai though.
Again, my issue with the logic used by fathers in making their determination. I have issue with the practical effect of what they are teaching, and I strongly revere their perspectives. But given there is difference in understanding in tradition, I thought it worth diving in on as something that’s always confused me.

Im pretty sure no one will see this but Im 16 almost 17 ftm and I’ve wanted to start transitioning medically since age 14 but was scared to tell my parents who are both transphobic and homophobic, plus my mom is one of those Christians who lash out at trans and gay people. So I knew there was no way I could come out to them so for 4 years I’ve just been rotting in my room waiting until I’m 18 so I can transition. Finally on my 15th birthday I cut ALL of my hair off at school and came out to my parents, my dad just ignored it of course but my mom did NOT take it well she ignored it too and didn’t speak to me about it for like 2 weeks until she said that’s she’s getting me a therapist.
I went to the therapist for like 6 months and it fucking sucked ass, it was so humiliating talking to someone who clearly didn’t understand my situation and all she did was ask how my day was and then tell me time is over like bruh. So on my 16th birthday I got so tired of it and after the therapist appointment when I got in the car I didn’t want to talk to my mom and juts put my AirPods in and ignored her and man she got MAD.
She yelled at me saying “Are you fucking kidding me, what? What’s wrong? OHHH you’re mad because I won’t let you take the medication that you want to take? IM SO SURE! You act like your the most miserable kid in the world always whining about how you life isn’t perfect.” “I will NEVER let you take that medicine crap NEVER, once you get your own money and grow up you can do whatever the hell you want.” God mad you a girl! “I’m Sooo sorry he didn’t make you how you wanted to be”😒 This is not normal it’s unnatural! Your not normal! No matter what medicine you take or what surgeries you have you will never be a boy, you will always be my girl!
Hearing that from my mom who I love so much really destroyed me. She ended up crying and yelling so much that she couldn’t drive so she pulled over and juts got out the car and went outside the car to smoke. I was juts sitting there in shock with tears rolling out of my eyes but a frown on my face. All I couldn’t think about was how the rest of my family would react they are almost all religious and I know they will never love me the same. My mom came back in the car and for the whole hour home she juts kept bitching to me the whole time asking “why are you still crying” like are you fucking serious. I wanted to jump out the car on the highway face first
This happened about 7 months ago and I’m going to turn 17 this year. Junior year is coming up and when I tell you I CANNOT get through another 2 years of getting dead named and misgendered. I’m literally on the verge of constantly wanting to end everything and juts be done because i have no friends. and it feels like everyone hates me. Summer is here and it’s so hot but if I don’t have my binder on I will not leave the house I hate my chest so much I wish I could just rip it off and my voice is the worst. I never talk to anyone and I get In Trouble at school for not doing presentations and for missing so much school due to dysphoria. Also I’m pretty sure my ribs are also fucked up because I’m always in pain when I wear my binder and when I look in the mirror my ribs look wrong but I don’t even care anymore.
School is so fucking stupid we do NOTHING. I’m not even joking when I say I finished the whole breaking bad series at school plus some other movies like Deadpool because we do nothing it’s juts like I’m wasting my life away and it’s so frustrating all I do is go to school to watch movies and get called slurs all day.
I’m not sure why I’m posting this or what kind of advice I’m looking for and it’s okay if your don’t have any. I think I juts really needed to get this off my shoulders thanks for anyone who read this . 💙

I recently left a civil marriage, we're getting divorced and have a baby together. We split custody 40/60 with me holding the greater half.
Since we split up and she filed for divorce I have been looking for some sense of community and family. I have taken my daughter to Mass each Sunday since and am beginning to realise that we can integrate with a community here.
My fears are the same as before, the judgment of other parishioners regarding my situation.
I don't want to lie when they ask me why I am here but I am also scared that they will judge me for being married in a non religious ceremony and now at the stage of divorce.
I want my daughter to hold true Christian values but I'm not sure if the church is the best place for that.
Any ideas? Or similar situations?

My boyfriend (18M) and I (18F) have been together for a few months, this is my first romantic relationship. We know about each other’s view/beliefs, I am more agnostic while he is Christian. We respect each other’s beliefs and agreed that we can make it work. One of the reasons I fell in love with him is because of how understanding and open minded he is (this is important for later). We always talk and communicate things out and listen to one another’s opinions. For context he wasn’t a “hardcore” Christian at all.
One night he called me on the phone and was frightened because he said he heard a loud bell sound coming from somewhere. He was panicking about how he’s terrified he doesn’t think God will save him when he returns and that he has urges to get closer to God, I had no idea what this meant and we have never talked about God before. What made me feel uneasy was that a good few minutes pass by and he’s acting like his calm self. I tried asking him about it the next day but he avoided it.
A few nights later we were playing videos games together, but then he started randomly asking questions about my faith. I didn’t mind the questions, but his whole demeanor changed. Some of the questions were, “If you found out God was real would you regret the path you chose?,” “If God isn’t real then why does he have so many followers?,” “I get there are other religions but they have been proven wrong so why doesn’t everyone follow Christianity?” I was caught off guard and it felt a little passive aggressive. What really made me feel off was that he was discrediting other religions, it made me think he’s not as open minded as I thought. I believe that people should love everyone no matter what, even if they believe different things.
He then went on talking about sins and how some things in our relationship will change, like how we can’t have sex anymore (we both have a high sex drive). At this point I knew he was deep into his beliefs. So I asked him if us being together conflicts with what he follows, and he told me the Bible says we can’t be together but it’s okay with him. I asked if he’s only staying with me because he thinks I’ll convert and he said no. He told me he will not force anything on me and he loves me for who I am. I still love him so deeply, it’s just that ever since that night he talks about his faith almost everyday and his whole character changes when he does talk about it. I try my best to listen because I get to understand him more, but when I try talking about my views on the topic he dismisses it or laughs it off. This is the only thing he avoids listening to me about in our relationship we were always so open so I don’t understand what changed. I really want to communicate more with him on this topic but I’m scared to ask anymore.
He has really bad family issues, so is religion what he chose to lean on for comfort? Or it could just be a new stage in his life. What ever it is I want to support him the best I can.
I don’t know what to do at all. I am still so in love with him but I don’t know if I am just holding on to who he was before. I asked him why all the sudden changed his views and he said that he has an urge to get closer to God and read the Bible, I’m not religious so I don’t understand these urges. Like I said this is my very first romantic relationship and I feel so trapped. I don’t see myself changing my beliefs, and I also don’t want him changing his for me. And it’s not like we are arguing or anything, I feel like he’s not the same person I fell in love with.

I am an African female (21F) and I recently just became a girlfriend to my now white American male (23W). We have been seeing each other for 3 months. I never really thought about introducing my bf to my family, but I do want to however there are some potential issues...
My family is a mix of conservative religious and non-religious. All of my siblings have had boyfriends and girlfriends before and they always clashed with my uncle. My uncle raised me and 3 of my older siblings. My older siblings were very rebellious and courageous in their acts. Defying my uncle in lots of ways. They dated, brought their partners home, and did everything in between. My uncle and I were and are still very close. His approval means a lot to me. I grew up being so obedient and good, so he would never talk about me the way he would speak about my older siblings.
I've had very open conversations with him, stemming from "what-if situations". He is a conservative Christian, but he has never forced his religious views on my siblings and me. I am also a Christian with conservative views, but I'm okay with my boyfriend, who is not necessarily religious. However, he does believe in God and is okay with going to church (it's all very new to him).
My uncle believes in courtship. No dating and all the bf and gf thing. He wants a man who I have never been romantic with and just friends with to come to me and ask for my hand in marriage. I was even ok with that idea until I met my now bf. I planned to introduce him somehow only when we were both ready to get engaged, but my bf told me that my family might not like him cause of the fact that I had been hiding him till then. I agreed. However, I am afraid that if I introduce him now, my uncle will try to convince me to break up with him. He would even influence my parents to talk to me and get me to break up with him.
First side note: my uncle is ok with me marrying someone who is not religious as long as they have a good life and family values.
Second side note: my family in general don't mind me marrying a white person, but they are still very skeptical about them and have prejudice like how they have no serious values and love to to divorce
Last side note: My parents were not in my life very much. I only have been with my mother for 4 years of my life and my dad and I don't have a strong emotional connection. My mother will probably listen to my uncle to know what's best and my dad regardless of my uncle or mom's decision will want me to get married as long as I am happy and the man has money.
---
When do you guys think would be the best time to tell my uncle and my family about my bf and how do you think I should approach it?

Many traditional commandments or principles from world religions feel either incomplete, overly restrictive, or outdated. To address this, I embarked on an experiment to create a list of more contemporary commandments. These new commandments aim to encapsulate timeless wisdom while addressing today's global challenges, fostering a world based on compassion, tolerance and sustainability.
This experiment consists of two phases. In the first phase, I used my own insights, some of the most advanced AI engines, and wisdom from major world religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism), Confucianism, Folk religions, and Shinto
In the second phase, I'm seeking the wisdom of the crowd to perfect this list and make sure it reflects our society's values and addresses the most pressing issues we face today.
What do you think is missing from this list? Are there any commandments you disagree with? Would you prioritize them differently?
Looking forward to your thoughts!

1. Refrain from causing harm or violence to any living being.

This principle goes beyond just physical violence. It encourages non-violence in word and action, promoting respect for all living beings and recognizing the interconnectedness and sanctity of all.

2. Promote health and well-being for yourself and others.

This starts with your own physical and metal health which can't anymore be taken for granted in our society. The collective focus on well-being fosters a supportive and resilient community, where everyone can thrive and contribute positively, creating a more vibrant and sustainable society.

3. Reject hate in all its forms.

Hate breeds division, violence, and discrimination, tearing apart the fabric of society. In our society, we have many types of wide spread hate: racial hate, religious hate, LGBTQ+ hate, xenophobia hate, xenophobia hate, political hate, online hate and many more. By rejecting all forms of hate, we create a more inclusive and harmonious world where everyone is valued and respected regardless of differences. Rejecting hate fosters a culture of acceptance, tolerance, and cooperation, laying the foundation for a peaceful and just society.

4. Protect the environment.

The Earth sustains us. We have a responsibility to care for it and conserve its resources for future generations.

5. Cultivate mindfulness and awareness by meditating 5 minutes a day.

Simply sit down and focus your attention on your breath for 5 minutes a day. Feel the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your nostrils or chest. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
This practice will help us be mindful of our actions and their consequences. Being mindful, taking responsibility for our choices and considering their impact helps us make more thoughtful decisions, promoting emotional balance, and presence in the moment.

6. Treat all with respect, embrace diversity, practice tolerance and celebrate differences.

The world is richer for its variety. This approach encourages mutual understanding, strengthens community bonds, and allows for the exchange of diverse perspectives, leading to richer cultural experiences and innovation. By valuing and respecting each individual, we create a more equitable and just society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

7. Continuously seek knowledge, wisdom and practice critical thinking.

Knowledge empowers us to make informed decisions and solve problems effectively and it's important to all live as humble lifelong learners. However, a healthy dose of reason is crucial for navigating the complexities of the modern world.

8. Honor all forms of life treating them with love and compassion.

This approach encourages ethical behavior towards animals and nature, reduces harm and suffering, and enhances the well-being of both individuals and communities by nurturing a sense of shared responsibility and kindness. It ultimately contributes to a more compassionate, peaceful, and harmonious world.

9. Be honest and act with integrity.

Honesty and truthfulness are essential for building trust and fostering healthy relationships within communities, essential for trust in society.

10. Use technology responsibly and ethically.

Technology plays an integral role in every aspect of life—communication, healthcare, education, transportation, and more. Its influence is profound and pervasive, affecting both individual lives and societal structures. It's crucial to use it responsibly and ethically.

11. Be a good steward of the resources entrusted to you and avoid excess.

Take only what you need. Living simply and sustainably reduces our impact on the environment and promotes a sense of contentment. Finding balance and avoiding extremes leads to a more sustainable and fulfilling life.

12. Uphold justice and equality for all.

Working towards a just and equitable society benefits everyone.* It helps to eliminate discrimination, reduce social inequalities, and protect human rights, fostering a sense of trust and cohesion within communities. Justice and equality promote a more inclusive environment where everyone can contribute to and benefit from societal progress, ultimately leading to a more prosperous and just world for all.

13. Forgive others and seek forgiveness.

Heals relationships and reduces resentment and cycles of revenge, fostering personal and social harmony. Forgiveness promotes emotional well-being by alleviating anger and bitterness, and seeking forgiveness shows humility and accountability, which strengthen trust and mutual respect. This practice encourages compassion and understanding, contributing to a more peaceful and cohesive community.

14. Be humble and grateful for what you have.

This cultivates a mindset of appreciation, fostering resilience, reducing stress, and promoting positive relationships. Humility encourages openness to learning and growth while gratitude shifts focus from scarcity to abundance, enhancing overall life satisfaction and contentment. Together, they create a powerful synergy that promotes emotional well-being, strengthens social connections, and contributes to a more harmonious and compassionate society.

15. Reduce indulgence in the manifestations of ego.

Prioritize virtuous conduct over ego-driven impulses, striving to diminish manifestations of pride, lust, greed, anger, and attachment. By cultivating humility, contentment, and emotional balance, individuals can overcome ego-driven impulses, fostering empathy, compassion, and cooperation. This shift towards inner harmony promotes a more peaceful and equitable society, where individuals prioritize collective well-being over selfish desires, contributing to a more fulfilling and sustainable world.

16. Leave the world a better place than you found it.

A final call to continuous improvement and positive impact on the world around us.
https://preview.redd.it/51sd19er8g1d1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc4b2e629992f7d7bad7ba353ee2f502f79fc752

Hey everyone (:
■ READ EVERYTHING BEFORE SENDING A MESSAGE ■
Young lady seeking a life partner to love and be loved in return . Dating apps are long and exhausting so I'd rather get straight to the point and be direct.
■PLEASE SEND AN INTRODUCTION AND PICTURE ■
●IF ITS SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH DONT MESSAGE ME
If you don't think we'd be a good match don't message if you don't have the capability to communicate and get to know me .
https://imgur.com/Okqs2IZ
Send message via chat ! My Dm/pm doesnt work (:
I'm black , 5'3 , born and raised in Montréal , Introverted, Demisexual. Healthcare worker .
I'm kind , loyal , supportive and looking for the same in a partner who also values honesty , communication, commitment.
I want to go through life with someone that's willing to grow , heal , learn , openminded , We accept each other for who we are but are open to criticism and respect, love , kindness is the center of our relationship.
Location: Montréal Canada
Interests : working out , concerts , hockey fan, romance novels .
Looking for : life partner 28-40 Someone willing to take things slow , open minded , emotional available and can communicate must be a good texter, phone calls , video call is a must
Religious beliefs : Christian but mostly spiritual / liberal views .I believe in God
Deal-breaker: I can't date someone without a job , doesn't take accountability, doesn't apologize, any form of abuse will not be tolerated . Men with children unfortunately.
Likes : Beards, sense of humor, family oriented, liberal views , British accents . Puts 100% in all aspects of their life ( friendships, job , Relationships, mental health , self care )
I take pride in communicating effectively, effort being reciprocated so I expect the same in my partner.
I don't see myself living anywhere else so if you're open to long distance relationship keep in mind I'm not moving and if you aren't either then there's no point in us talking .

I remember a book from my childhood it was a Christian book it was hardcover and rectangular and the cover had a tree with children climbing/or sitting on the branches or it could have been a garden or bush. I think and each page was a story or lesson. There were bears along with the children in the stories/scenarios and verses accompanying the scenario for example so and so Wakes up early she is very quiet not to disturb her family and it shows a picture of a little girl sitting on bed with book and there would be a verse on each page as well "those who make a loud noise in the morning it will be counted as a curse" I also remember a sledding hill scenario where a little girl wanted to go first or had to wait turns and another page where children were having a tea party with the bear children.and there might have been bear twins as well. I think it might have been something like childrens book of lessons or children's book of proverbs or fruits of the spirit lessons for children or 99 proverbs for children but I can't find it with those titles so I'm probably wrong.it could also have abc or alphabet in the title. It also was written before 2005 I believe it may be a 80s or 90s book but I'm not sure. I especially loved the artwork in the book. Thank you so much!!

I (mid-twenties AFAB non-binary lesbian), grew up in fundamentalist Christianity.
For context, my family was non-denominational and switched churches every few years. I was homeschooled from 1st grade all the way to the end of high school. My parents were young earth creationists who admired the Duggar family and Ken Ham. I grew up reading the Left Behind series and watching other movies about Christian persecution post-rapture.
I was raised with a ton of strict gender role standards, including heteronormativity. I was told by one of my parents that it's a shame that the government treats people like child neglecters if they disowned and kicked out their minor teenagers for being gay. I have the psychic damage that comes from being an AFAB person raised in purity culture and groomed to get married young (to a man) and to have lots of kids.
My childhood has left me with c-ptsd as well as anxiety and depression. I've been seeing a therapist for these issues for several years, and have made incredible progress. I'm having less panic attacks, I have more physical energy, and I've learned how to set healthy boundaries with my family.
The problem is, I feel like I've hit a wall in therapy. I feel like we've addressed the general c-ptsd, anxiety, and depression symptoms very well and I'm eternally grateful for that. However, I feel like my therapist doesn't understand religious trauma very well and so we're not able to dive into the topic the way that I need to. I need someone who knows how to help when I say that I grew up hiding my constant fear of being left behind in the rapture because I was gay. I need someone who can help me unpack the fact that when I have to make a big decision at work, I have my parents voices in my head telling me that "men are just better at some things."
Has anyone experienced something like this? Any tips for grieving growing out of a therapist that you appreciate? Any tips for finding my next therapist? Has anyone read any specific books or listened to any podcasts that are helpful for religious trauma related c-ptsd?

Faction Song Inspiration:Screaming Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on You (Audio)
The Book of Founding from the Holy Tome.
“1
In the days of upheaval, when fear gripped the heart of man, the Gods whispered unto the first of our order, he who would be known among men as The Christian.
And The Christian, seeing the shadow of doom stretch across the land, spake unto the remnant, "Come forth and follow me, for I shall lead thee to safety beneath the wings of the divine."
Thus he led them to the place that would be their sanctuary, the venerable St. Patrick’s Church, and laid his hand upon its ancient stones, and behold, it was consecrated anew.
We adorned the sanctuary with the visages of gods of old—mighty Odin, wise Isis, and sovereign Zeus—and the windows shone with their countenance, casting divine light upon all who dwelled within.
2
The Christian then established the sacred rites, teaching his followers the paths of communion through offerings of the earth’s bounty.
First were the beasts of the field, brought forth as burnt offerings, their essence ascending as sweet incense to the heavens.
And when the stars aligned in the firmament, revealing signs of ancient power, The Christian decreed the deeper covenant of sacrifice.
Brave souls, pure of heart, stepped forth, laying down their lives upon the altar of salvation, their spirits rising to join the celestial choir.
Thus was the bond between the divine and the Coven sealed in blood and fire, a testament to their faith and devotion.
3
The Christian, knowing the weight of eternity could not rest upon a single soul, established the Circle of Elders, wise and steadfast.
And he proclaimed, "Upon my departure, another shall rise to wear the mantle, chosen by divine will and the council of elders."
Thus each Christian who ascended to lead was as a star in a dark sky, guiding the Coven with the light of the ancients.
4
In the fullness of time, the Coven grew, its roots stretching far beyond the sanctuary, into the broken world.
And The Christian’s teachings were as seeds sown on fertile ground, sprouting in the hearts of those who wandered in desolation.
The Elders walked among the towns and wastelands, their words a balm to the weary, their rituals a spectacle of hope for the forlorn.
5
Now, I, Brother Marcus, by the grace of the Circle, inscribe these sacred texts as a beacon to those who shall come after.
For as long as the night endures, and as long as the stars wheel overhead, so shall the covenant of The Christian remain unbroken.
We are the keepers of the flame, the stewards of the divine path, and through us flows the eternal power of the covenant.
So it has been written, and so it shall forever be.”
The Coven's origin is shrouded in betrayal. Initially founded by a Catholic priest seeking to provide sanctuary amidst the chaos following the Great War, the group was soon infiltrated and overtaken by a charismatic figure formally a member of the Church of Satan, who possessed a deep knowledge of religious studies and mythology. This individual, exploiting the despair and vulnerability of the survivors, incited a rebellion against the priest's Christian teachings, warping the sanctuary into a stage for his irreligious cult. The sanctuary was desecrated with pagan imagery, and the group was torn by internal strife that escalated into violence and sacrificial rites in the name of forgotten gods.
Over the centuries, this brutal beginning was mythologized into a divine founding narrative, detailed in the "Book of Founding" within their Holy Tome. The horrors and betrayals were recast as prophetic visions and holy sacrifices, with the role of The Christian evolving into a title bestowed upon the coven’s leader, who is viewed not merely as a guide but as a direct conduit to the divine. The title now is seen as holy and endearing, but originally was an insult to the man who originally tended the church as its priest. This brutal beginning has been forgotten by its followers, but not by the elders, who keep their "lessers" in a pool of “blissful” ignorance. The Christian and the Elders are all aware of the original plot, and are aware of the sham religion, but they maintain the Great Psychodrama to this day. This faction is not a descendant of the original Christianity, but is instead a division of the idea of Satanism taken to a militant degree and perverted into a cult of control. The original cult leader whose name was lost to time due to all documents referring to him as The Christian, was an ardent practitioner of the text Might is Right, and he used this philosophy after this war to conquer his own following. The current Coven secretly uses this text as their holy text, and not the text that was written by the Circle of Elders to control the “lessers.” Potential elders are promoted from promising "lessers," their trial is if they can accept the facade. If they fail, they are executed and fail the trial. These tests are held in private. So far no one has discovered the secret of the elders.
The Book of Ascension from the Holy Tome.
“1
Lo, in the time of gathering shadows, the Elders shall perceive among the faithful a stirring of the spirit—a readiness to ascend.
For this spirit is marked not by worldly signs but by a divine clarity of purpose and steadfastness of faith.
2
The chosen shall enter the Crypt of Visions at dusk, where the silence of the saints and the whispers of the divine converge.
Surrounded by the sacred relics of the forebearers, the chosen shall spend the night in contemplation and communion with the eternal.
Those who emerge with hearts unshaken are affirmed in their faith and prepared for greater revelations.
3
Upon the new light, the chosen partakes in the Feast of Enlightenment, where the Elders and the faithful gather to share divine sustenance.
At this feast, the chosen is nourished by the bread of wisdom and the cup of courage, embodying the sacrifices of those who walked the path before.
Here, the scrolls of ancient teachings are unrolled, revealing the deeper truths of our faith and the duties it entails.
4
Should the chosen prove true, they are presented before the assembly of the Elders and The Christian to affirm their commitment.
In the presence of the congregation, the chosen swears an oath upon the Holy Tome, vowing to uphold the tenets of our faith and to guide the flock with integrity.
They partake of the Chalice of Fellowship, signifying their unity with the leaders past and present, and their readiness to serve the divine will.
5
Thus consecrated, the chosen ascends to the Circle of Elders, tasked with preserving the light of our teachings and nurturing the spiritual growth of the community.
They stand as guardians of the faith, exemplars of divine virtue, and shepherds to the flock entrusted to their care.
As it has been written, so shall it continue; the cycle of ascension sustains the lifeblood of our covenant through the ages.
For as long as the heavens wheel above, the line of The Christian shall endure, a beacon to those who seek refuge in the divine embrace.”
​
Link to full WIP setting: Texoma Valley 2284

I am a psychologist and an Orthodox Christian. For those unaware, many therapist/psychologist profiles have drop down menus indicating the different types of therapeutic modalities offered (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral, Person Centered, Dialectical Behavioral, etc.). “Christian Counseling” is usually one of these drop downs.
Maybe there are some Orthodox mental health clinicians on here who would understand this… but sometimes I wonder if selecting this gives off a certain impression. Some look at that and think, “Oh no. I couldn’t go to some prosperity gospel, picket line, fundamentalist.” And there may be some who think just because I’m Christian, that I am Christian like them with all the same theological notions and practices. And I’m not there to discuss theology, I’m there to be a psychologist.
And yet, I think it’s helpful for some clients to think, “Oh this person is a Christian and I can at least discuss aspects of my religious affiliation without them thinking ill of me.” This would be similar to a Muslim looking for a Muslim therapist because they would share a similar experience, even if it wasn’t exactly the same.
Maybe instead of “Christian Counseling”, I could just put in my bio about my memberships to different groups, one of them being OCAMPR (Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion).
Probably over thinking it… but curious if there are any others on here in the same or similar field with thoughts they’d like to share.

I believe that you have a right to believe in whatever you want, but it's awkward when people try to talk about God with me and I don't have the heart to tell them I'm not religious. For the record, both my parents are Christians and don't know that I'm Agnostic-Atheist.

Hello. I am an American man who grew up in a moderately Christian household in the southern United States. My family and I are not religious anymore, but I was raised to be open minded and was exposed to various cultures while growing up.
On Friday, I met a man from Kuwait who moved to the U.S. for college and still lives here. He and I more or less spent the weekend together, and I like him a lot. I have enjoyed learning about where he is from and his culture, and I can tell he feels the same way about me and my culture. I look forward to getting to know him better.
Last night, while at his house, I saw a book on his shelf and thought the cover design was interesting, so I picked it up and looked at it. He came in the room and asked me to put it down because, according to custom, ones hands must be clean before roughing the Koran (oops). I didn’t realize this book was the Koran, and I didn’t know that touching it is not allowed without properly cleaning yourself. Silly Americans!
My question is: as a non-Muslim in the beginning stages of a possible romantic relationship with a Muslim man, what are other important cultural things that I should know about so that I don’t make a similar mistake like last night’s? I am open to learning more about Islam and the culture associated with this beautiful religion.

TW: Contains possible sensitive info in second paragraph, I don’t know how to blur words on here or if it does it automatically.
I don’t know how to start this or what to say. My childhood cat of 17 years (got him when I was like 4, 20yr old F now.), had to be put to sleep yesterday. My parent and I don’t have a lot of money by any means and we could not afford to take him to the vet to find out what was wrong, or to do anything. We are also without transportation. Over time he just got worse and worse, could only eat liquid foods, had some type of a canceinfection in his mouth that caused his tooth to fall out. Constantly sneezing and secreting this pus and blood mixture. It was horrible to watch and not be able to do anything, I can’t begin to imagine the pain he was in.
We kept praying for help and posting online asking if anyone could help and then a gift from god popped up that offered to pay for the entire thing, for him to put down and be cremated. At that point that was the only option, he was asking to go, he was ready.
I can’t speak to how my parent is dealing with it but I have been crying since yesterday. I was with him for over an hour after he died. I cradled him in my arms for the first time yesterday in 17 years as I carried him out of the house for the last time. He was the boss of the house, the big tiger, he would never have let do something so unseemly as cradle him if he were alive lol. I even held his hand.
I feel guilty and the worst kind of sadness and pain just deep in my chest and gut. I don’t know what to do. Part of me is glad he is no longer suffering and in pain. Another selfish part of him just wants him back. I’m not necessarily a religious person anymore, used to be Christian but I’m not particularly in any faith anymore, I don’t know who to pray to, I don’t know who to talk to. I just feel so alone, and I want him back. I want my baby back.
His name was Forest. He was so brave and strong. A fighter until the end. I wish I could attach a picture, he was just the most handsome fella around.
Thanks for reading, just needed a place to talk about this, feeling very numb. Sending love to all the fur babies and their owners out there.

There's a lot of backstory to this. I got a diagnosis for autism, and my mom got me into programs to help me with parts of life I struggle with. One service I get through these programs is Community Hab. Basically I just hire someone to show me how to function with other people. Since I just sort of tend to let life happen to me, because I don't know what's going on or what I even want most of the time, I picked the first person I talked to. Things didn't work out with her, and I never even started with her. The second one, let's call her RP (rude person), showed up. I have intense ADHD brain, and had only seen her once or twice at least a few days before she started. So I had no idea who she was when she showed up at my house, and this was basically my first impression of her. She was very loud and chatty, which is more of a matter of preference than an actual complaint. I'm trans-nonbinary and AMAB, and something else I noticed quickly was that RP constantly used words like "girl" "girl friend" and "sister" talking to me. I don't know if it's just the way she talks or if she was trying way too hard, but it was making me really uncomfortable. Now on to the actual complaints. She watched Instagram reels or tiktoks or something like that without a headset. She would watch these videos at restaurants, on walks (around the block and on nature trails), and pretty much everywhere she went. When she did shopping, she would pick up something she wanted, then put it down elsewhere when she didn't want it anymore. Which, I do understand, sometimes I can't find where I got something and put it down at the closest approximation of where I think it was. But RP doesn't even try to find where it was, she just puts it on whatever random shelf is closest to her. Once, when we were walking somewhere, she asked me what kind of music I like. Thinking she was just trying to drum up a conversation like she usually does, I said I didn't listen to any genre in particular. She then proceeded to play a christian rock song. No hate to christians, I know there are some great people who are christian out there. But I wasn't a great person when I was part of the religion, and there are a lot of people who use it as a crutch for their hate or bigotry. RP was playing this song out loud on a quiet path where people were trying to have a peaceful little stroll. Not only that, but it was a religious song, so she could've triggered someone's religious trauma. That should've been the end of it, but I wasn't about to tell my mom that I wanted to fire RP because she played a song and I didn't like it. So fast forward to the day of the incident. I decided we were going to a store, because there was something I wanted to get there and there was an eat-in place there where we could get food. We ate, then I grabbed a cart. I grabbed the thing I was there to get, and a few other things I thought of to make this trip more than just a side quest to replenish my pesto. This included a refrigerated item since I thought we were going home and I hadn't consented to going to two other stores. I'll come back to that. I got in line to check out, and RP suggested we go to self-checkout. We did that, but we got to the payment and realized they don't take cash, which was all I had to pay with. We called over customer support, and they printed a receipt to buy the things with cash at the customer service counter. I hadn't picked up that the employee had taken the receipt to the counter and thought RP had it. When she urged me toward the counter to pay by myself, I said "don't we need the receipt?" She filled me in on what I missed. I made an honest mistake, and she realized that and had respectfully corrected it. Or so I thought. I might be paraphrasing the next part a bit, I don't remember the exact dialogue. We went to the car, and she said, "I know what I'm doing in stores, okay?" "What?" I said, unsure what she meant. "You were arguing with me back in the checkout." "I wasn't arguing with you, I..." then I summarized exactly what happened. "You just seemed like you were arguing with me", RP said. Then we drove off, I assumed to home. But actually we went to Hobby Lobby. Usually, she asks about personal errands, then asks when we get there if I want to go in or stay in the car. But this time, we just arrived there and she just said, "Come on" or "let's go" or "come on, let's go" when she got out of the car and I wasn't moving. We went in, and this is where the big thing happens. We were in the bird food aisle and she picked up a package of bird food. She walked probably ten steps down the aisle to look at the bird feeders, decided she didn't want the food anymore, and put it on the feeder shelf. While she left the aisle, I decided to correct it since it was right there. When I got back to RP, she said, "did that bother you?" I said yes. She said, "that's their (the employees) job. It gives them more work." I said, "no, their job is to stock shelves or help people find things. You're just making their jobs harder." Then she said, in these exact words, "What do you expect for minimum wage workers? They should've gone to college!" This was the exact moment when I decided she wasn't going to work with me anymore. I didn't say anything afterwards, I just said, "okay", and tried to talk to her as little as possible for the rest of the day. After Hobby Lobby, we went to some other store I've never heard of, to get some pillows for her couch because something had happened to the old pillows. I said, "can we hurry up? I have a refrigerated item in the car and I need to get it home." RP said "It'll be fine, it's not a hot day." First of all, it was warm in her car. Secondly, that's not how it works, warm day or not it needs to be refrigerated. She stopped and went around a corner. I stayed with the cart. I waited a while, then heard her calling for me. I found her, and apparently she was going to check out. I mentioned the cart, and she said it wasn't hers, and that she had pushed it out of her way. I was confused, because I had thought she was pushing it through the entire store, and it was blocking half the aisle. I'm still not sure to this day if she was gaslighting me so she wouldn't have to take care of it or wait for me to take care of it, or if she actually just didn't have it the entire time. Either way, I left it there and we went home. RP took out a puzzle and I had had my headphones on for the car ride and most of the time home. I dried the dishes. When it was time for RP to leave, she said "bye, I'll see you Monday." Later that day I told my mom what happened, she told RP's supervisor, and I never saw RP again. I hope she becomes a better person, and if not, I hope she has to work for minimum wage and struggles to pay for housing.