Faith and Religion

**Fiveocommando** · 05-24-06, 01:24 AM

My faith affects my job immensely. I pray at the begining of each shift for strength, courage, compassion, and to be reunited with my family at the end of the day. I also make a promise to God that I will not do anything that is immoral. There is a reason we are called "Peace officers" and I believe we all have a moral obligation to God to be just. Remember, "Blessed are the peace makers".

**Trojan 42** · 05-24-06, 04:59 AM

Looks like I'm the only Atheist around then? But I try to live by christian principles, if that makes sense?

**TheOldRhino** · 05-24-06, 05:29 AM

Hard to be an atheist in a foxhole.

**Trojan 42** · 05-24-06, 05:49 AM

Not if your a Fox.

**RdrB67** · 05-24-06, 08:34 AM

This is a significant question, in my opinion, and one that is difficult to answer. It's not that I don't have an answer, but it's a question that requires a lot of introspection both to evaluate the answer and to evaluate how much of it to share with others as it is sacred ground, not to be treated lightly nor shared lightly.

My religion is literally where I derive my entire purpose for being. It is something of deep importance and I can honestly say that anything that I do or am that is of any worth is because of my religion. It is the source of unspeakable happiness and strength to endure the challenges of life and lends perspective to everything that I do or experience.

Has it made me perfect? Absolutely not. It is a constant reminder that I have a great many things to learn and change, but it also reminds me that it can be done and that it is worth doing.

I really believe that those who are "sheepdogs" in our society are more effective when they hear and listen to the voice of the "Good Shepherd." And that is my goal.

Among other things, I know God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the living Son of the living God. I know this as surely as I know the sun is shining at noon-day. I know this by experience(s) too sacred and too extensive to discuss in this setting, but know it just the same.

Thank you all for your thoughts and posts. I hope that what little I've said is of some worth to you.

**bird1** · 05-25-06, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Trojan 42

Not if your a Fox.

i think he meant to say a trench. i dont know if they use the word foxhole to describe a trench in the U.K.

**CountyFourteen** · 05-25-06, 11:31 AM

I'm not religious, but I am spiritual. I ask each day that I will be a good deputy.....yes I excell as a deputy......but the thought/prayer/energy is that I will be good at my job that day/night with what I encounter and hopefully help someone in ways other than just taking people to jail.....

**AGalCop** · 05-25-06, 11:42 AM

Nice to see other Christians on here. Seems, in law enforcement, most are afraid to talk about it. I don't know if some think it's a sign of weakness, myself, I believe it's a sign of strength. God bless us all and keep us safe!

**Pedro56** · 05-25-06, 01:37 PM

Well, I'm a Roman Catholic, and I know my priest thinks I am a whack job, becuase I went into the sacristey (sp?) to talk to him, and then I pulled out my duffle bag and set it on the table. I told him I had a strange request and he said "Try me" well, I took out 3 pistols, 9 magazines/loaded, my star, my St. Michael medaliion, and then had him bless them all as well a St. Michael tattoo. I may not be a Church goer, but I survived 4 years in the Marines and quite a few close calls on this job, so I know someone is watchin my ass up there.

**kingpervis** · 05-25-06, 03:00 PM

Pedro, I am a Catholic, too, and having your gear blessed seems like a good idea. What did the priest say afterwards?

**PACMAN** · 05-25-06, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Trojan 42

Looks like I'm the only Atheist around then? But I try to live by christian principles, if that makes sense?

Naw, I can go to the left with you, I am an atheist, I don't do things or live my life because some book tells me to, I do it because it is morally right with society. When my son had open heart surgery it was not god who saved him it was the fact that I had a great doctor at Boston Childrens.

My wife is an anthropologist so for all the born agains they know what that means, no big bang just years of transition from water to land.

The world is fighting and killing each other over beliefs and religion, I highly doubt that if there is a god, budda, or muhammed he would approve of our actions. If I am wrong then hey, judgement day is going to be a bad day for me and I can live with that. I live my life morally right and if god loves everyone then I think I will be ok, not because I gave 10% of my paycheck to a church every week.

Some of the biggest hypocrits I have met, weather on battle lines or on the street breaking laws have been religious nuts.

No I am not religious and don't believe. However I do not judge those who are religious and respect that they need to believe in something, I just wish they would reciprocate on those of us that do not believe the same things they do intsead of coming to my door with pamphlets. when you are dying and you see that bright light, it is just the lights the paragods are shining in your pupils to get a reaction.....the rest is worm bait "Marines; 3rd batt. I Company, PI", My religion.

As to the person who started this thread, I am sorry for your loss, you will be in my thoughts tonight at work.

**Pedro56** · 05-25-06, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by kingpervis

Pedro, I am a Catholic, too, and having your gear blessed seems like a good idea. What did the priest say afterwards?

Nothing, he didn't argue either when I started unloading my hardware either lol. I said thanks and left.

**TheOldRhino** · 05-25-06, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by PACMAN

The world is fighting and killing each other over beliefs and religion, I highly doubt that if there is a god, budda, or muhammed he would approve of our actions.

I agree to a point, but there have been just as many people who have been helped in the name of religion as well: charities, hospitals, soup kitchens, missions, etc.

As for Buddhism, it's just as much of a philiosphy as it is a religion- and as far as I know, no wars have been fought over it. In fact, it's entirely possible to become a Christian Buddhist.

"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity." - Albert Einstein

**GLH06** · 05-26-06, 01:57 AM

This is an interesting thread. I was getting ready to sign off but kinda feel a need to put my two cents in. I'm Native American so not only do a lot of officers following the church and bible but we also practice our tribal customs. Those customs are sundancing, Native American church, fasting, attending sweats and using tobacco (but not like smoking cigarettes more like to pray with). I was raised Catholic but would go to cermonies on Friday and Saturday night and go to church on sunday. It works for me. I know I'm safe as long as I believe.

**TheOldRhino** · 05-26-06, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by GLH06

I know I'm safe as long as I believe.

This is essentially what I believe as well.

I've always been facinated with tribal customs- from Druidic to Native American. I find even more facinating that there are other LEOs out there practicing such things. I've also found other officers that are Taoists like myself.

**CountyFourteen** · 05-26-06, 03:36 AM

Yes I share the seven sacred rites as well (red heart here), my wife is wicca...

whatever you do to the earth, you do to the children of the earth...

**Trojan 42** · 05-26-06, 03:53 AM

Mind you when we had our last Census here in the UK, there was a campaign to get Jedi recognised as a religion. So, as it's on an 'official' record somewhere, I guess I'm a Jedi.

**pfure87** · 05-26-06, 05:39 AM

The death of someone close to you puts you in touch of your mortality more quickly than the numerous brushes we have with danger on the job. For me, faith is the only thing that will carry you from this life to the next and nothing else. Afterall we're already dead men, we just havent gotten there yet. To those who're sure theres nothing else after death, are you willing to bet eternity on that?

**TheOldRhino** · 05-26-06, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by pfure87

To those who're sure theres nothing else after death, are you willing to bet eternity on that?

Even if they are, not all beliefs say the will be punished for it. Some beliefs say they will just be recycled until they "get it right"- like everyone else. This as been a peaceful, adult discussion that I've enjoyed reading so far- let's tread carefully here.

**PACMAN** · 05-26-06, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by pfure87

The death of someone close to you puts you in touch of your mortality more quickly than the numerous brushes we have with danger on the job. For me, faith is the only thing that will carry you from this life to the next and nothing else. Afterall we're already dead men, we just havent gotten there yet. To those who're sure theres nothing else after death, are you willing to bet eternity on that?

This is why I don't discuss religion with bible thumpers, it was ok when everyone was discussing thier religions and what they believe until a couple or Atheist came in the room and said "I don't buy into all this god shit" (in so many words). Like I said, No I don't think there is anything after death except the lights go out. If there is I think it is going to be nothing like you have been told for years about white gates and wings. Yes I am betting eternity on that. As I said if I am wrong then judgement day is not going to be a good for me but if I am right I will chuckle in my box as the worms eat my eyes.

And yes I know a little about religion, I was raised Irish Catholic and they are some of the worst offenders of hypocracy, I traveled throughout Asia briefly and learned about Buddism, and I met some not so nice Muslims in Somalia and the Middle East.....No thanks as I said I live my life cleanly and that will be good enough....