Well, since we are going to jack this threat with Dane Cook funny stuff ... watch this, "creepy guy at work"
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How are atheists being treated in the Navy..
- Thread starter themongol
- Start date
Well, since we are going to jack this threat with Dane Cook funny stuff ... watch this, "creepy guy at work"
and +1 to that.....bottom line for most situations
It's God punishing you...
Ironic how the thread on atheism in the military, qualifies as a religious based thread...
Some of the assertions made there were ridiculous.
Athieism is a religion.
Yeah, I know. Discrimination against atheists was an issue that I had not really thought of before.
Not necessarily. A belief in something or its non-existence does not make a religion.
Not necessarily. A belief in something or its non-existence does not make a religion.
Dammit, my mistake for my imprecision of terms.
Atheism is not a religion (implies organization), it is a faith. Atheists, in symmetry with who do "believe," have faith in something they cannot prove: that there is no God.
FWIW, in my experience there is not much talk of religion in the military. There are some naval traditions that involve swearing of oaths and similar. Bases and ships have services when they can, and folks go if they want to. Other than that, religion is a polarizing subject and I have seen very mild mannered people turn into raving lunatics when someone insults their beliefs.
If you are an atheist, don't make a scene about saying "so help me God." Who really cares what you believe in and I hope you don't want special provisions made for you. As an officer, you fulfill your oath and take care of the government's business. That's it.
Here's an interesting quote from some JPME type lit....credits to the USAF and their contributors... full link here if interested.
So Help Me God
Controversy over the separation of church and state sometimes clouds this final phrase; nevertheless, it is the most important one in the oath. Our actions have moral and, for those who believe in a Supreme Being, even religious implications. Sometimes military officers seem hesitant to embrace their religion publicly or acknowledge the significance of divine guidance.37 However, American history is replete with examples of public appeals to a higher being for guidance and protection. The Declaration of Independence includes an appeal “to the Supreme Judge of the world,” and, although the Constitution does not include the phrase so help me God in the president’s oath, Washington added those words when he took the first oath.38 President Lincoln openly addressed the concept of divine guidance in the Gettysburg address: “This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.” When the pledge of allegiance added the phrase “under God” in 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower commented, “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.”39
So help me God became part of the officer oath in 1862, but the enlisted oath did not add these words until 1962. The Congressional Record provides superb insight into their meaning:
So help me God also implies retribution if officers do not keep their word. Compare the part of the Soviet oath that ends with “If I break this solemn vow, may I be severely punished by the Soviet people, universally hated, and despised by the working people.”42 Although that is quite a condemnation, in actuality it is less severe than the potential consequences for someone who has a strong moral or religious foundation. So help me God acknowledges that no stronger commitment exists
If you are an atheist, don't make a scene about saying "so help me God." Who really cares what you believe in and I hope you don't want special provisions made for you. As an officer, you fulfill your oath and take care of the government's business. That's it.
Here's an interesting quote from some JPME type lit....credits to the USAF and their contributors... full link here if interested.
So Help Me God
Controversy over the separation of church and state sometimes clouds this final phrase; nevertheless, it is the most important one in the oath. Our actions have moral and, for those who believe in a Supreme Being, even religious implications. Sometimes military officers seem hesitant to embrace their religion publicly or acknowledge the significance of divine guidance.37 However, American history is replete with examples of public appeals to a higher being for guidance and protection. The Declaration of Independence includes an appeal “to the Supreme Judge of the world,” and, although the Constitution does not include the phrase so help me God in the president’s oath, Washington added those words when he took the first oath.38 President Lincoln openly addressed the concept of divine guidance in the Gettysburg address: “This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.” When the pledge of allegiance added the phrase “under God” in 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower commented, “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.”39
So help me God became part of the officer oath in 1862, but the enlisted oath did not add these words until 1962. The Congressional Record provides superb insight into their meaning:
The words, “So help me God,” are not a part of the obligation assumed upon taking the oath. They constitute rather an assertion of sincerity to undertake the duties of military service in good faith and with the aid of the highest power recognized by the enlistee. It is directed solely to his or her personal conception of the almighty, whatever that may be or whatever it may not be. There is no effort to impose on the enlistee any established religious conception, or even to require his acknowledgement of any religious conception. . . . For the vast majority of the persons taking the oath, however, this addition will assure a unique degree of personal conviction not otherwise attainable, and will thus prove a welcome source of both personal and national strength.40
Even atheists have a moral obligation from a societal perspective. One finds this concept as far back as 400 b.c., when Sun Tzu, in The Art of War, starts his first chapter with the statement “War is a matter of vital importance to the State. . . . Therefore appraise it in terms of five fundamental factors. . . . The first of these factors is moral influence.”41 Clearly, one of the greatest military minds of all time understood the moral implications of our actions and their importance for success.
So help me God also implies retribution if officers do not keep their word. Compare the part of the Soviet oath that ends with “If I break this solemn vow, may I be severely punished by the Soviet people, universally hated, and despised by the working people.”42 Although that is quite a condemnation, in actuality it is less severe than the potential consequences for someone who has a strong moral or religious foundation. So help me God acknowledges that no stronger commitment exists
Eh, you still have to sign the paperwork saying the same. Regardless, you should save your efforts and pick your battles, otherwise you're likely to have a short and stressful career.
Really
In the Marine Corps Damn they must have just stuck every bible thumper and baptist in my Platoon at OCS. I was half thinking to myself that some of these candidates wear their faith on their sleeve a little to flagrantly. In my opinion faith is personal and private. Its a relationship you yourself have with your belief and better left to that. Also apparently after the first manadatory Sunday service I went to and confirming this with a chaplain at OCS, The least likely religious faith your likely to find on somebodys dog tags, Jewish. And no Im not (had a long hard time dealing with admin to get that of my file) I just thought it was interesting.
Why are you guys letting the author of this thread pull your respective chains???
He's got nothing going for him and, I suspect, has no interest in the Navy.
And you fell for it .... :sleep_125
He's got nothing going for him and, I suspect, has no interest in the Navy.
And you fell for it .... :sleep_125