Rant about religion and army.

[mora]

I do not believe in any god, and perfectly happy with myself. I don't having anything against those who choose to be a part of a religious group, that's a simple solution to people who want to use their brain capacity to other things than philosophising life. Unfortunately many religious people are more keen to influence and infect others than practise their own religion, even with weapons in extreme cases.

A few religions in comparison, from worst to best IMO:

1. Islam: There are several variations that differ greatly. Usually they seem to have very strong tendency to spread their word and affect all people around them, whether they believe or not. Extremely violent in some cases.

2. Christianity: There are several variations that differ greatly. Sometimes they seem to have very strong tendency to spread their word and affect all people around them, whether they believe or not. Violent in some cases.

3. Jevishm: There is not so much variations. Not violent, but lot's of violence in its root areas because of some stupid decisions made ages ago. Some tendency to affect people around them.

4. Hinduism: Not particulary violent but in the past it had some very discusting rituals.

5. Buddhism: The basis of this religion is practising the religion, not spreading it. Completely nonviolent.

It doesn't feel too comforting that the most dominant religions in the world are also the violent ones.

The reason I wrote this rant is that, I'm going to army today to do my military service, and I'm a little put off by the God and country stuff there. OTOH I'm sure there's plenty of other things to worry about than religion. It will be interesting to see how I adapt,as I'm about 5 years older than an average draftee.

Do you think that there should be a public draft in the US? I'm sure it would do good for many people over there.

Btw, I just deleted my account last week as I'm not going to be  able to play for while. It would be nice to be able to freeze your account instead of deleting it.

[Saurdaukar]

If youre beginning your required military service, Ill put a month of AH2 says you become pretty dedicated to something as soon as you get marching orders.

Either way, good luck.  Keep your chin up and your head down.  Thank you for your service.  

EDIT:  Just saw the draft question.  In some ways, you can argue for a required service stint in the US and against it.

Some say that there are quite a few people in this country that would benifit emmesely from a good Marine Corps kick in the ass, but on the other hand, you want to preserve the quality of the average serviceman, meaning you dont want people in your platoon who dont want to be there.

[FUNKED1]

Good luck dude!

[Trell]

I am not sure what you mean by a public draft.

If you mean that everyone should serve, Lets say 2 years of there life.

All that is going to do is make the goverment employ millions more people then they need.

In the past we have not had a problem getting people to join.
 
It would just be a Waste to make people serve if they don't want to.

People need to feel pride for the work they do.  This would not cause that.

[Yeager]

It is an amazing thing when people suddenly find themselves on the verge of unexpected death, how every person instinctively hopes that something greater than themselves intervenes and saves them from the vast unkown, death.

God, or a greater power, a pure and simple creator -is imbedded into the very fabric of existence.

Good luck.

[Chairboy]

When someone is dirt poor, they're more likely to buy lottery tickets because they hope they'll win.  Check out the ratio of lotto tickets bought by people on welfare vs. those who drive a Lexus.

Just because you hope for something doesn't make it so.

[_Schadenfreude_]

Lots of luck - hope you like running, early mornings, digging holes and four hours sleep a night - buy a swiss army knife and wear two prs of socks  till your boots are broken in.

The first 6 months are pretty grim - it gets better after that.....let me know if you'd like a list of what to take.

[Toad]

For all those going into the military, if you want to "freeze" your AH account or whatever, you should CALL SKUZZY BEFORE you delete your account.

He MAY be able to help you out.

Good luck.

[Snork]

Originally posted by Yeager
It is an amazing thing when people suddenly find themselves on the verge of unexpected death, how every person instinctively hopes that something greater than themselves intervenes and saves them from the vast unkown, death.

God, or a greater power, a pure and simple creator -is imbedded into the very fabric of existence.

Good luck.

Not necessarily. I, personally, gave up on trying to believe in a "greater power" when confronted with intense combat.

[_Schadenfreude_]

Believe in yourself, your buds, your training and your weapons - my experience turned me into a agnostic with strong pantheist leanings.

[SaburoS]

Originally posted by mora
It doesn't feel too comforting that the most dominant religions in the world are also the violent ones.

Seems to mirror societies in general. Most of dominant countries in the world, past and present, got that way generally through violence (or the threat thereof).
******************************
Good luck to you and ~S~! You just might find out that the military life can be a rewarding one.

[Nilsen]

Enjoy it Mora, i did for several years

[Dowding]

It is an amazing thing when people suddenly find themselves on the verge of unexpected death, how every person instinctively hopes that something greater than themselves intervenes and saves them from the vast unkown, death.

Talk about a huge generalisation, and a very condescending one too. I bet there are plenty of atheists out there who die without giving into to that particular human weakness.

Your response is a common one from theists - who firmly believe that no-one can possibly hold beliefs as strong as there own.

[AKIron]

Originally posted by Dowding
Talk about a huge generalisation, and a very condescending one too. I bet there are plenty of atheists out there who die without giving into to that particular human weakness.

Your response is a common one from theists - who firmly believe that no-one can possibly hold beliefs as strong as there own.

I'm sure you feel comfortable in your smugness but I bet you'd lose that bet.

[Gunslinger]

"there's no such thing as an athiest in a fox hole"

Cant remember who said it but pretty applicable.  I remember when I was in boot camp I had NO desire to go to church on sundays.  The Drill Instructors persuaded me otherwise.  Those who did not attend religious services were placed on extended cleaning details.  I soon realized going to church and getting a little spiritual recharge after a hard week was a GOOD thing.  Not to mention it was the only time of the week I got to get away from the DIs.