The Truth as I know It

[GordMay]

928frenzy:
I’ve been “out in a small boat in a big storm” - but cannot confirm, from that experience, that “religion has it’s place on a sailboat”.
Though I’m not really interested in specious religious arguments ( proselytism ), I’m not “changing the channel” - because I am interested in how contributors’ faith has sustained them (psychically & physically) in trying times.
Respectfully agnostic,
Gord

[bubb2]

frenzy

I am glad to hear you have been on a destroyer in a hurricane. Assuming you were US Navy personel the dog tags you wore would have a religious preference imprinted on them. I am also sure that religious services were conducted on board that vessel and part of the offier''s staff would have been Chaplin. I am also glad to hear that you didn''t need GOD in that hurricane but maybe the Captain the vessel did.

My point here is not to debate points of religion but is to point out that religion had been a part of men going to sea from day one.

Every year at the marina where I keep my boat we have a blessing of the fleet. It does make me feel better.

Maybe religion is not part of your sailing experance but for others it is and they should be able to exchange their views without interfearance from others.

[928frenzy]

I didn''t have to indicate what (if any) religion I was on my dog-tags. It was an option then, and I''m sure it is still.

I don''t doubt that most sailors are or become religious at sea, especially when the going gets rough. If the original topic had been about how faith sustained them while sailing, I wouldn''t have complained. However, that''s not how it started, and it remained that way until very recently.

I''m glad to read how sailors cope with adverse sailing conditions, even if they think they need help from a supernatural force or entity. As long as the main point of their discussion deals with "sailing", then they certainly are correct to use this BBS. However, discussing a topic on this BBS that is not tied into sailing in a meaningful way is taking advantage of this BBS. Again, how would you feel if I started a car repair thread on this BBS? How would you feel if I tied it into sailing by saying my car had a diesel motor, and so does my boat, so that links the topic as "sailing"?

Enough. Believe as you wish, but please keep what you write on this BBS to sailing related topics.

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

[Stede]

My friends;

I hope you are my friends? (Stede backing up to wall as angry mob of sailors move towards him,while picking up stones,and broken bottles 8^)

As I mentioned in my original post on this subject,I didn''t want to offend anyone.I felt my story was appropriate for this board, because you are my sailing brothers and sisters.If I were sailing ahead of you and made my way through a treacherous course, would I not be a poor friend to ignore telling you about it?

This board is many things,to many people.While you might not be interested in the subject at hand, it too shall pass.Please, let the ones that want to hear, listen.The ones that contemplate,to think,and consider.I''m not smart enough to have all the answers,but there is one book that does-the Bible.Jesus lived and traveled many days with sailors.What is the harm in letting him be with us for a few moments here?

[928frenzy]

Stede:
There is nothing wrong with you mentioning your beliefs here, so long as they relate to sailing. You say the Bible has the answers, but you must admit that is what you believe, but don''t really know. Others can and do disagree. There are many who (like you) follow Jesus. There are many who do not. We all have a right to believe as we wish and (like you) could post our beliefs on this BBS. But our messages would have been just as inappropriate as yours, if they''re not directly related to a sailing topic.

Making this the "everything else" BBS would be a mistake, and soon many readers would abandon it.

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

[Stede]

928frenzy,

You are obviously a very intelligent man, and undoubtly an excellent sailor.You are deep in your convictions,and I admire that in a man,or woman.I think it''s very important in this day and age, to know what you believe,and even more importantly, why.

If I should stump my toe while carelessly crossing the bedroom, I curse out at the darkness.But if I rely on my knowledge of the correct way, my path is easy.

Fair winds to you my friend!

[flicker]

I think Stede did a good thing.

We don''t just talk about sail trim, keel lift and holding tanks on this BB. We also talk about about food preparation, favorite drinks, rodent control, socializing, caring for teenagers, jobs, financial security and many other topics, that can be found on more specialized BBs, and usually with a good degree of respectful disagreement.

Posts and articles on this web site frequently make reference to Neptune, to acts of the gods of the sea and sky, and especially to the spiritual side of sailing. I think to object that a discussion of some sailors'' faith is out of bounds on this board is not in keeping with the wide-ranging nature of the discussions we find here.

Chas

[928frenzy]

Stede:
Thank you, but you give me more credit than I think I deserve. I only know that I really don''t know much, and the more I learn, the more I realize how much there is that I don''t know.

When it comes to sailing, I rely on: 1) my health and sailing ability, which needs constant updating and improvement, 2) the forecasts from as many sources as possible, 3) my equipment based on how well they are maintained, 4) the sturdiness of my vessel, 5) the ability of my crew, 5) my charts and GPS, and most importantly, 5) the fickle nature of the sea.

The one thing I do know is one should always hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
A verse I try my best to remember before I cast-off is, "The sea is a fickle mistress who does not coddle fools." I don''t recall who originally said it, but it has been proven true all too often.

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

[bubb2]

flicker

Well said and I for one agree.

[bubb2]

982frenzy

I know I am beating a dead horse.

Please read my post of 10/1/03. "It can happen".

I assure you that my boat was 100%. The fittness of crew was address in the post.

Some will look at it as being unlucky and other will see as we were being watched over.