Quirky,

No!  There's no principal's office on F8 and you're not "going to get into trouble!  I'm sorry if you feel that way.  Please help me to help you feel more comfortable, except that you can't change my personality.  That's not possible. 

I am referring to the fact that I personally don't always feel welcome when I express myself and my opinions, especially when those opinions do not agree with the 'old timers' as you call them. My personal opinion is that this subtle message can be damaging to those who are just beginning to take steps to being free from a cultural dogma or relgion or cult-speak. (boy I am going to get into trouble with this statement I am sure. Please don't send me to the principal's office!)

I really thought you did feel comfortable and were going along well here, so it would help if you to give me some specific examples of and how you've been made to feel uncomfortable.  What's been said that makes you feel that way, for instance?  The reason I ask is because coming out of a cult, fresh as you are, you may be having feelings that are attributable to exiting that you may be projecting on us here.  But, maybe not, so tell me if I'm wrong. 

I do believe that you're feeling this way, because you said so, but this is the first time you've said anything about it and so far, I thought you were doing well posting here, so please, help us out to understand.  There is no subtle message here that I'm aware of, in fact, just about all of the regular posters here are very out front, real people, who don't mince words with folks.

Bbut if you're getting a message that I'm unaware of, I definitely would like to know what it is because I spit at it twice if it's making you feel bad.  Just imagine that you're looking at a woman (me) turning my head and actually spitting. 

Quirky, sometimes us, here's that word again: "older exes" know each other so well that we speak to each other in ways that may seem cliquish or clubish because we do know each other so well that we're just used to each other. 

So, I'm really sorry if I've ignored you or made you feel left out because since you arrived here, I have liked you a lot and admired your courage in coming here.  I also think that your humor is great too.  If you can explain more what your struggle is, by all means, please do because I do want to understand it if you can be more specific.

Cynthia