Cultists, identification of

You may have examined your church against the list of cults, and the characteristics of cult practices, but have you examined your job?

When I was enlisted, I found that The Navy scored VERY HIGH as a dangerous cult. See for yourself:
http://www.elephanticity.5u.com/cultcult.html

This is not really meant to show that the Military is brainwashing youths. But if one is not careful how one applies 'known' benchmarks and yardsticks, the results could be tragically misapplied.

I've always thought that, too.

Did you know that the early Christians shunned military service, even though that meant death to some of them? The military requires an oath of alligience, and no Christian would take an oath of any sort, and they wouldn't swear loyalty to anyone but Christ.

__________________
Carry only love. Hate is a burden that is tremendously heavy.

If you want to live like Jesus, love your enemies and give up your life for them.

that early EARLY christians were called atheists?

They did not believe in the Official Gods of Rome, thus they so labeled. Mostly it seems to have been the difference between people with a hundred of their own gods, and knowledge of similar pantheons in other cultures, against people that pretty much believed in no more than three. Or one, depending on how you looked at it.

LL: I posted your comment on my website as feedback...with a word from you, as you wish, i'll
*) Delete it
*) attribute it to you
*) change it

Whoa!

I agree that the military is a difficult place to be a Christian, but there is one difference between the military and a cult. The military does not require, nor suggest, but actually encourages you to maintain your religion.

Yes, I have obvious differences of opinion regarding ethics and other personal matters in the military, but I would not call it a cult.

I wouldn't suggest it to anyone who is not extremely strong in their faith (I wasn't as strong as I needed to be).

The oath is not unchristian at all. It is just an pledge of allegience to your country. In the Marine's some units have a dictated priority ranking that usually goes something like "God, Corps, Country".

God is always first. Yes, there are enough parallels to make one question whether or not the Military is a cult. My time in the military was a slap in the face, that woke me up to God's true love, and what can be accomplished through faith.

If I was ever ordered to do something God wouldn't have me do I would gladly disobey that order and in court, I would be found innocent of any wrong doing.

I am constantly bombarded with challenges to my faith from my co-workers, and made fun of, and also persecuted (to a small extent) but this only makes me stronger.

I don't love the military. I greatly resent the military for many things. One of which is working on Sundays, but someone has to, other wise, lives would be at stake.

Don't be so quick to dismiss the military as an evil organization from which nothing good can come. God can make anything into a positive experience for anyone.

in Christ,

Zach

Maybe we were in a different military....?



I was Navy. Were you a marine? I always loved the Marines. They were invented so that sailors wouldn't get hurt!
Seriously, they encourage CERTAIN religions and faiths. To a degree. But my weps had a problem filling out my security clearance paperwork because he wasn't sure my being a pagan was of the strong moral fiber he felt was required to polish and program nuclear weapons.

I don't understand. Was your Weps a Christian? You are a Pagan?

No I wasn't a marine, I'm a coastie, but I spent my first three years attatched to the 32nd street Surf Warfare in San Diego.

NOthing against my weps, but he was a devout Christian. As an officer, he didn't understand why anyone with college (or brains) wouldn't choose to be an officer, as a Nuc Power School graduate, he felt Nucs were better sailors by virtue of their being nucs, and as a Christian, he was definitely sure all those other religions were all going to hell.

I only had a High School education, but part of my job was to correct his spelling, and i wasn't too impressed by any of his other opinions, either.

I realize that what you were saying about the Navy being a cult is tongue in cheek, but seriously, some people buy that.

How can it be if someone as high ranking as a Weapons officer is a "devout Christian"? A cult wouldn't allow a devout Chirstian in because their religion would come before the needs of the cult.

Don't let the misgivings of a former Weps dictate how you feel about Christians as a whole.

God Bless,

Zach

I'd like to look at your website and see the context before I decide. PM me the address.

__________________
Carry only love. Hate is a burden that is tremendously heavy.

If you want to live like Jesus, love your enemies and give up your life for them.