Religion

[Tress]

Originally Posted by Abrazadereas
if you guys were to sum up your experience of the culture in the SF, the people you work and communicate with everyday, what you say the prevailing religious thought is? realistically, do people get treated differently if they are not christian?

Commented on by albeham:

Wonder where he is going with this?

I do not know, but I do hope it is somewhere very far from here!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Abrazadereas

...............do any of you QP's take exception to what i have said here? because as far as you are the collective ideal of what i want to do with my life, and who i want to be, your opinion is of value to me. ..............

Mu opinion is you need to stop dropping your pants in public.

Read more - post less. You have a very poor feel for this board.

[Blitzzz (RIP)]

This is always an intregueing topic for conjecture. Religions to me has been guide posts for many societies and groups of peoples. Faith has always been a special trust in the possibilities available to us as we face daily challenges.
A religion will provide methods for worship,life,and afterlife. Faith will provide an invisible power that lends great strengths toward our endeavors. Religions require focused faith in a Deity or Deities, and its rules...and offers a certain security to followers who "follow" .
Faith requires each of us to believe in forces outside of ourselves to give us strength do overcome adversity. Ultimately, each individual must and will find something to believe in that will ,in times of great need, provide an internal strength to overcome.
Some believe in obeying a system, some believe in the unknown forces that created us all.
I believe that the creator provided all I need when I was formed. All that I ever would need , was provided. It is for me to have the Faith in that, and maintain that faith to energize the invisible strengths provided.
Just my 2 cents...Dave

[JAH687]

Originally Posted by Blitzzz

This is always an intregueing topic for conjecture. I believe that the creator provided all I need when I was formed. All that I ever would need , was provided. It is for me to have the Faith in that, and maintain that faith to energize the invisible strengths provided.
Just my 2 cents...Dave

Well spoken Dave, definately very insightful. I have to admit that I feel very similarly. My faith is strongest when things get hard, and I find it wains when I get complacent and soft minded.

--Also, I see you like Thomas Jefferson. He's my favorite president, a real gentleman, statesman, and patriot down to the core.

SHIT is everywhere. So as long as you're stepping in it, show it some respect.


WORLD RELIGIONS PHILOSOPHY AND OTHER THINGS
THE COMPLETE AND UNCENSORED SHIT LIST

AGNOSTICISM What is this shit?
ALTRUISM Want some shit?
AMISH Shit dost occur.
APATHISM I don't give a shit.
ATHEISM I don't believe this shit.
BA'HAI All shit is truly shit.
BUDDHISM Shit happens.
BAPTIST FUNDAMENTALISM Shit happens because the Bible says so.
CAPITALISM How much will this shit cost?
CARTESIANISM I shit, therefore I am.
CATHOLICISM If shit happens, you deserved it.
CLASSICAL Marxism The workers take all the shit, but they're gonna dish it back out again.
COMMUNISM It's everybody's shit.
CONFUCIANISM Confucius say, "Shit happens."
CREATION SCIENCE We have proof that God created all the shit that happens.
CONTRACT THEORY If we don't agree to form society, everything will go to shit.
DADISM Your mom knows her shit.
DARWINISM We came up from shit.
DESCARTES I shit therefore I am.
DIANETICS Shit your way to a better life.
DOMINICANS Belive in shit, or we'll boil you in it.
DYSLEXIANISM Hits shapnep.
DISCORDIANISM This MIGHT be shit, but is instead a fuzzy 1955 Mustang.
Logical-Positivism Shit = S+H+I+T
MARINES It's not just shit, it's an adventure.
MCCARTHYISM Are you now, or have you ever been, shit?
MENNONITE None of this modern shit now.
MOMISM You'll eat this shit and like it!
MORMONISM Your shit is shit, but our shit is the ONE TRUE shit.
MURPHISM Shit always happens at the worst possible time and place.
NARCISSISM My shit don't stink.
NIETSCHE If you're not Ubermenschen, you're not shit.
NIHILISM Everything is shit.
NIXONISM Shit didn't happen, and if it did, I don't know anything about it.
Nonsequiturism Route 176 goes south.
Objectivism (Ann Rand) Shit is Shit.
PAGANISM Shit happens. And is a part of nature.
PANGLOSSISM This is the best of all possible shits.
PLATONISM There is an ideal shit, of which all the shit that happens is but an imperfect image.
PROTESTANTISM Let shit happen to someone else.
RASTAFARIAN Shit happens, but if it's all right with Jah, it's all right with me.
ROBINISM (tv) Holy shit Batman!
RUSSEAU Only natural shit is worth shit.
Rastafarianism "Let's smoke this shit."
SHINTO Shit is everywhere. So as long as you're stepping in it, show it some respect.
SKINNERISM If eat then shit.
SOLIPSISM All this shit is a creation of my imagination.
SOLIPSISM The only thing I can be sure of is that my shit happens.
SPOONERISM Hit shappens.
STALINISM The state treats you like shit.
SUBGENIUS Bob happens -- SO GIVE ME SOME SLACK!
SURREALISM Shit is shiny and shaped like a buick.
Scientific-Creationism Shit happens all at once
Secular-Humanism Shit happens, but there's a rational explanation.
TAOISM The shit that happens is not the true shit.
THE-FORCE Do not be swayed by the Dark Side of the shit.
TV-Evangelism you need our shit, but it'll cost you.
UNITARIANISM There's only one shit, but you can have it happen any way you want.
Utilitarianism Do that which generates the greatest shit for the greatest number.
VANDALISM I'm gonna wreck this shit!
VOODOOISM Shit doesn't just happen - somebody dumped it on you
Xeno's paradox It's logically impossible for shit to happen.
YUPPIEISM It's my shit! All mine!
ZEN What is the sound of shit happening?

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WORLD RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHIES

TAOISM Shit Happens
CONFUCIANISM Confucius says, "Shit Happens."
ZEN What is the sound of shit happening?
YOGA There's a full lotus shit happening.
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.......
HINDUISM This shit has happened before.
ISLAM If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.
CATHOLICISM If shit happens, you deserve it.
FUNDAMENTALISM If shit happens, they deserve it.
PROTESTANTISM Let shit happen to someone else.
EPISCOPALIANISM When shit happens, make it tasteful.
JUDAISM Why does shit always happen to US?
MORMONISM Shit's going to happen. Stockpile.
UNITARIANISM Deal with your own shit happening.
TWELVE STEP PROGRAMS. We're powerless over shit. Turn shit over.
ASTROLOGY Uranus transits.
PERESTROIKA We can't control shit. Let shit happen.
AGNOSTICISM Shit may or may not be happening; we don't know shit.
ATHEISM No shit.
GNOSTICISM Know shit.
My own list (to be edited in later)...
Taoism Shit happens
Confucianism Confucius say, "shit happens."
Buddhism If shit happens, it isn't really shit.
Zen What is the sound of shit happening?
Hinduism This shit happened before.
Islam If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.
Islam If shit happens, take a hostage.
Protestantism Let shit happen to someone else.
Protestantism Shit won't happen if I work harder.
Catholicism If shit happens, you deserve it.
Judaism Why does this shit always happen to us?
Atheism I don't believe this shit
Agnosticism What is this shit?
Unitarian What is this shit?
Hare Krishna Shit happens rama rama ding ding.
7th Day Adventist Shit happens on Saturdays.
Jehovah's Witness Knock, knock, "Shit happens."
Mormon Shit happens again & again & again.
Rastafarianism Let's smoke this shit!

[JAH687]

Originally Posted by JAH687

How has religion or spirituality effected your SF careers or your decision to join SF?

I feel as though this has gotten deeply off topic. All I'm really trying to do is ask the QPs what role faith played in their careers as QPs. I am not trying to set up a place to compare, support, validate, or trash various view points. I am not trying to merge of all your religious views to create to some super SF religion where we would all worship the 'Jolly Green Beret Giant' or the likeness of John Wayne. And no offense to Wet Dog, but I'm definately not asking for "shit" thats been copy + pasted off of arbitrary corners of internet. I was asking for stories more than advice.

[spottedmedic111]

Lucid comment. Since I'm not cleared to speak for Special Forces (though I'm somehow still wearing the tab) I'll just say you seem to have your head on straight. Good luck in your pursuits!

BTW, I thought the thread was legit and respectful. I don't know why anyone would choose to portray the community as less than that.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by JAH687

I feel as though this has gotten deeply off topic. All I'm really trying to do is ask the QPs what role faith played in their careers as QPs. I am not trying to set up a place to compare, support, validate, or trash various view points. I am not trying to merge of all your religious views to create to some super SF religion where we would all worship the 'Jolly Green Beret Giant' or the likeness of John Wayne. And no offense to Wet Dog, but I'm definately not asking for "shit" thats been copy + pasted off of arbitrary corners of internet. I was asking for stories more than advice.

Just during my time on active duty wearing a Green Beret I experienced too many events to enumerate in which I prayed to Jesus Christ to get me through-some were just minor hassles and some life-or-death emergencies.

Gave thanks many times, too-but not earnestly or often enough.

The reason I'm alive today is because His mission for me hasn't been completed.

[JAH687]

Originally Posted by spottedmedic111

BTW, I thought the thread was legit and respectful. I don't know why anyone would choose to portray the community as less than that.

I agree fully, I thought everyone was being respectful. I just thought that I originally misled folks by providing too much unnecesarry background information, and I noticed it taking a turn for the worst when Abrazadereas tried to recieve some kind of spiritual validation from you guys. I'm just trying to get things back on track.

[Blitzzz (RIP)]

Originally Posted by JAH687

I feel as though this has gotten deeply off topic. All I'm really trying to do is ask the QPs what role faith played in their careers as QPs. I am not trying to set up a place to compare, support, validate, or trash various view points. I am not trying to merge of all your religious views to create to some super SF religion where we would all worship the 'Jolly Green Beret Giant' or the likeness of John Wayne. And no offense to Wet Dog, but I'm definately not asking for "shit" thats been copy + pasted off of arbitrary corners of internet. I was asking for stories more than advice.

You forgot what you asked for.
Originally Posted by JAH687 View Post
How has religion or spirituality effected your SF careers or your decision to join SF?

You asked about Religion and Spirituality. Faith is a different type of power all together, but the previous two require it.

[Utah Bob]

Originally Posted by JAH687

I'll certainly take some time to reflect on your comments and do some more thinking of my own.

And that thinking should take many years, Grasshopper.

Originally Posted by JAH687

I agree fully, I thought everyone was being respectful. ..... I'm just trying to get things back on track.

O.K., since we are back on track, we'll continue, but despite my failed attempt to bring a bit of humor on a Saturday afternoon, I did use the internet to find, at least a comparative in alphabetical order.

My favorite is still:

"THE-FORCE: Do not be swayed by the Dark Side of the shit."

My SF experience took me to the Islands of the South Pacific, the mountains of Tibet, the Jungles of Central and South America, the valleys and mountains of Puru, the snow topped Andes, Eastern Europe, Southwest Asia, (Middle East), the Far East, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, China, and Japan.

I met a few bad guys, drug and dope dealers in St. Petersburg, human traffickers in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Mexico City. I've met crooked federal agents, and dis-honest pizza delivery guys.

Why do I tell you this? It is because Greed, Lust and Selfishness can quickly remove any evidence of moral fiber in the best of us, or anyone else for that matter.

Catholic soldiers, under the command of Slobodan Milosevic, killed Albanian-Islamic men, women and children. I saw the evidence of Albanian women who killed other women because they were Serbian. Really? But don’t tell me because it was for religious efforts. It was for greed in ownership of lands, money and power.

Religion has caused more problems in our young world history – but I still believe, and I believe I will be held accountable for my actions. I try the RIGHT, not because I fear an angry father-type who will be disappointed, I attempt the RIGHT, because, it is the right thing to do.

Have I ever, lied, cheated or stole? Yes. Have I ever performed an action in ANGER, yup.

I am accepted by some, dis-liked by many, loved by few.

The question is: How will you perform? Will religious conviction direct your behavior? Will you stand up for RIGHT or will you be swayed like a bug in a wind storm.

The question asked: How has religion or spirituality affected careers or decision to join SF?

I joined SF because if felt I had a calling to do so, like many here, (ZonieDiver) specifically, felt drawn to Special Forces. Many QPs, if not all, feel strongly about the plight of women and child around the world, the oppression of others, and a common theme that FREEDOM is for all.

There are too many threads at PS.com that have been started or ended with religious discussion. Why we serve, have served or continue to serve in Special Forces is a personal choice that each QP has to make for themselves.

I propose a new theme, I’ll call it the Spider Man dilemma. Do you remember the episode when an alien blob binds with Peter Parker, and a black suited Spider Man emerges? Well, what will a Special Forces suit do for you? Personally, I like Superman, or Batman, they’re just guys.

The choice is yours, what are you going to do?

[spottedmedic111]

Every movement from religion to civil rights to conservation has a core of people trying to wrest power out of it. Human nature, that's all. Left unchecked, good intentions get twisted into something unwholesome. Vigilance and reason is our defense.

Religion isn't evil, people who pervert it are.

[Go Devil]

I had an quality, spiritual converstaion with some SGM's during a board at
1st SWTG that I mull over to this day.

"Seek your own salvation with fear and trembling."

[JAH687]

I posted something here, but later realized it was severely off topic and again filled the forum with unnecessarry background information about my life. This was something I tried hard to avoid a few posts back, and I realized my hypocrisy. Now this post stands as a permanent monument to my hypocrisy.