Random Thoughts

From the Desk of John Rourke – March 27th, 2017

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I’m up way too late writing this but I don’t feel very tired. The morning will come too soon….I know.

As a member of a FB survival & preparedness group I posted a link to my article that started the American Reformation series. I was pleased that there were several very positive comments about it…and then it happened. Some troll had to attack the entire article because I brought up religion.

The individual stated that bringing up religion related to Patriots is “un-American”. We had a fairly respectful exchange where I tried to tell him he can believe what he wanted and have a nice day but he kept it going. As it stands right now I have nothing else to say on the matter so unless he gets personal I’ll leave what I’ve said to stand on its own.

Hey – if the guy doesn’t want to believe in any God or all the God’s good for him. What just grates my bones and this happens all the time is when someone brings up religion or says “Merry Christmas” and some segment of the atheist population FREAK OUT. They go out of their way to interfere. Interesting I will visit the social media accounts of some of these assclowns and I don’t see Christians and Jews blowing up their feed trying to convert them. No – I don’t see Christians trolling their accounts calling them names and being rude. Maybe it happens. I’ve never seen it.

Understand – I’m not saying that all that do not believe in a God do this crap. A small segment of the population does. Anyways – I don’t go out of my way to troll anyone. I state my piece and move on. Generally for those that troll – here, on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook I just block them before it gets very far. Time is valuable and I don’t have it to waste.

Hope everyone’s week is fantastic!!!

Rourke

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22 Comments

  1. Capt.Michaels says:

    Good words and thanks for sharing. It’s always tough for me to share my faith. Not because I don’t like to share or I’m ashamed. Rather, I don’t want to throw or come across as if I’m throwing religion in someone’s face. I will share and I do share, but I try not to ever make it a “drive by, scripture” if you will..heh. Some people have really good intentions when they share a verse with someone and I’m not saying they shouldn’t either. I just want to make sure when I do, it’s the appropriate time.

    However, I will take a stand like you did Rourke when it comes to that stuff. I can respect their freedom and free will to choose, but if they can’t return the same mutual respect then it’s pointless. I had many good conversations with the head of an atheist organization at one of my jobs years ago. We talked a lot and we got a long very well. We had a mutual respect for one another.

    I know you don’t need to hear me say this, but I will say it anyway. Your a good man Rourke and I have A LOT!! of respect for your brother. There are also a lot of good people on here IMO.

    I read finally read the article. Good stuff. Very, good stuff. I printed it to PDF so I could re-read it as needed. I guess I didn’t read it before, because I knew it would hold to much of the truth for me to handle at that point in time. Meh, time to gear up. I still feel unaffected by the fear mongering sheep trying to act like leaders now.

    Let me share this with you.I’m very proud to be a former Marine. I’ve even seen Force Recon Marine take a knife and plant it into someone’s head..heh. I have a lot of respect for them, but a large component, not all, always seemed to act like they had to prove themselves as the elite force they are. On the other hand, the first time I met a Navy Seal on a daily basis. He was not what I expected at all. I expected a mix between the terminator and a Gunny. Nope, this guy was the most laid back, calmest, joking around, everyday laid back guy I had ever seen. This guy knew he could kill a man in a heart beat and was far above the average Spec Ops. He didn’t need to “carry himself” in some way or prove himself.

    In fact….here. You can get a glimpse into one of these guys. Here is a link to a series called Live to Tell – Warfighters. Get it while you can and it’s free on youtube. Marc Alan Lee, the first Navy Seal killed in Iraq. Marc Lee even met with and worked with Chris Kyle. I recommend you watch the whole thing, but give it at least 5 minutes to get a good view of Marc Lee.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BhLIbGsLPQ

    Reply
    1. JR says:

      Excellent Capt.Michaels. I’ll check out that video.

      I’ve had the same experience with Navy Seals. I had one that worked for me for about a year. You would never have known it.

      Reply
    2. vandal67 says:

      I too have a hard time sharing my faith. I prayed a long time for God to give me a forum that wanted to hear about it. I left a liberal church and joined a Bible based church. So happens they have a jail ministry. I got involved and our team members meet with a group of inmates several times a week at the jail for addiction classes and Bible study. It’s easy for me to share my faith with them and help lead some of them to Salvation.God answers prayers!!

      Reply
  2. Capt.Michaels says:

    Opps, sorry. Forgot to add the point of my last paragraph. Closer… The point is. I’m unaffected by the fear mongering sheeple. The threat is real, but I don’t have to prove anything. Just like any Spec Ops or Navy Seal. When/if that point in time comes. This laid back Marine will turn that switch on in a heart beat and then they will realize they messed up.

    Reply
  4. goingray58 says:

    People who belittle others opinions as the troll did, do so defensively and a lack of confidence in their position as if the more vehement the defense, the more true the position in justification. A person’s faith has nothing to do with another’s faith or lack thereof. Faith and how one expresses it is entirely personal. We worship or not as our conscience guides us with those of similar beliefs. I doubt you can get two people that think, to describe their faith identically except in general terms. That would seem to be evident to a reasonable person, regardless of faith, or lack of it.
    So why does some very vocal and often violent subset object to everything that is not their way of thinking? Ignorance. Whether we talk about burning books, or just not allowing education to control minds from either a clerical or secular pulpit, control is enforced by controlling what is learned, or in this case what is not allowed.
    Hitler burned books, some Imams allow just enough education for their segregated students to do their will in the name of religion.. Others find weak minded individuals that want and need someone to tell them what to do as a way to belong. (RE: Jim Jones comes to mind). Yet others are well educated but “cloistered” in a stilted environment never accepting that theirs is not the only way things can be done. In all those cases they can defend their beliefs with varying degrees of fanaticism, under the auspices of religious freedom. Well and good, but is it ? I think not.
    It seems the thing to defend, is the ability to worship as you choose, but without imposing that belief on anyone else through coercion or force. Education is a key. Then communication. State your beliefs freely, support them with your words and examples. Someone accepts or they don’t. There is zero reason to condemn a belief, only behaviors. Whatever penalty they will receive in this life or the next is not my concern, nor mine to judge.
    Trying to discuss the topic without saying what you believe is tough in print.
    Tougher still to explain what you do believe in print without a common set of experiences and understanding of the topic.
    I’ll state mine freely, and not respond to detractors. (Sometimes I even manage it 🙂 ) I have often discussed religion with different versions of Christian faith, Jewish, LDS, Agnostics, Muslim, Buddhists and Atheists. It does not always go well.. No problem. The key is being able to agree to disagree with some decorum. I’ll leave that there.. whole libraries have been devoted to the topic.
    “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” attribution to Voltaire, though there is much debate of when it first came. Nevertheless the sentiment is valid. The converse can be said of a troll. A person who is willing to defend to the death your inability of having the right to say what you believe. And that is where we differ.. the root of the argument if you will. And what we will be fighting over, if it comes to it. Essentially the root of every conflict that comes to blows.
    “Wool gathering” obviously.. now for more coffee. My brain has a cramp I think. Heve a great week. Be deliberate.
    GG58

    Reply
  5. StevefromMA says:

    I’m probably the only non Christian on this blog and I’m sorry to hear of your experience, John. I see my role as a “member” here as obtaining info and Prepper perspective, sharing info and Prepper perspective, and keeping my mouth shut about Big Questions. It’s your blog. What used to be the focus of America is that people who might have killed each other in the “old country” come here and live and work together. I think that’s still a good goal for everyone.

    Reply
    2. Capt.Michaels says:

      StevefromMA, please don’t let my sharing or anyone else’s faith keep you away brother. We’re all just piping in. For what’s worth, I’m just beggar with food trying to lead other people to food.

      Also, if I may..share your thoughts on big questions. What you think is important. I think most of here or anywhere for that matter would all agree as long as we’re civil to one another that’s the most important thing? Thank you for being a part of this community.

      Reply
      1. goingray58 says:

        I have to say the level of discussion here is good… With the occasional exception of a non-characteristic vent… The ideas and sharing of opinions is well controlled.. Of course we are preppers and not all really young, and I suppose that helps. We have some folks that have been there done that and don’t get rattled by silly words and that helps too. Heck I don’t think someone’s a friend until we’ve trade a few lite barbs at least. Good people make things work.. so good for you guys..
        I read at other venues that are pretty ugly every second or third response.. Juvenile at best and hateful and hurtful at worst. if not threatening.

        What has this to do with prepping? IMHO Folks liek we talk to here n this site are what we are looking for to work with, because we can’t know or do it all.. none of us .. Even if we could there are not enough hours in the day to do it.
        And to I’m not going through a midlife crisis. I just think it’s important to recognize what is being done well at least as often and criticising what isn’t. 🙂 To bad we aren’t all close enough to grab a campground for a weekend a couple times a year.
        Thanks for the location and friendship JR.
        GG58

        Reply
        1. JR says:

          I’m sending you a virtual hug GG58! That was beautiful man!!

          All kidding aside appreciate the comments. I’ve thought often of trying to arrange a “get together”. I considered one in South Carolina as I know there are quite a few of us who live here. Other location? Not sure.

          Reply
  6. Oren says:

    I don’t mind sharing my faith at all. If someone comes at me trying to denigrate not only my faith but the authenticity of the Bible, I will discuss it with them. In fact, I had a lengthy correspondence with a gay man once concerning what the Word of God states about homosexuality. I even offered to further the exchange via telephone if he were interested in the truth and how to turn his life around. Once it got there, he stopped the correspondence. I don’t stand on street corners nor do I pass out tracks. I have found that those that want to hear will, those who don’t will argue.

    Reply
  7. Lightning says:

    A Menorah and a Nativity are the real symbols of Chanukah and Christmas.A Christmas tree was a pagan symbol eons before Martin Luther used it to celebrate during Christmas.

    People can be very ignorant -from many backgrounds.Latest from Saratoga Ny school. A teacher assigned students to compare President Trump to Hitler and Mussolini. Many parents were furious . I wrote to the school explaining how inappropriate and disrespectful this was since Pres. Trump has only been in office a few months and that students are very impressionable.There was also cartoons used to show Trump as Hitler and Mussolini.The school responded telling me this was History of WW two etc etc. BS. I suggested why didnt the teacher used Pres. Obama since he was in for 8 LONG years and that he definitely abused his power
    by illegally using the Executive orders to by pass Congress numerous times.. No response of course.We each must face the demons of the moments in whatever form they attack our liberty.
    Re : food -preps.Anything to eat is better than nothing. Lots of canned goods come with pop tops now. I suggest a combo of canned,frozen,fresh and dehydrated or freeze dried. Lightning

    Reply
  8. Lightning says:

    I would deeply appreciate prayers for my husband who is suffering from intense pain.
    We are fighting the medical community for stronger pain meds. Thanks.Lightning

    Reply
    3. StevefromMA says:

      Thanks for your earlier thoughts Rourke and others from folks about my nonresident status LOL. Lightning, it’s a small world. I don’t want to hijack this thread with my med woes but I will end with a suggestion. I’ve had fibromyalgia for thirty years, got over-the-cliff severe four years ago and I had to retire. As a prepper, I’ve realized that if TSHTF I’m not going to be escaping and evading in the woods anymore, lucky to get through the day now. For reasons I can’t figure, though there must be money involved somewhere, people with severe pain are being thrown under the bus in the “war on opiates”. Totally mystifying why idiots with power picked now to start this but they’re hurting millions. I was fortunate enough to find someone to help me try the meds they won’t give your husband, unfortunate in that there is a somewhat of a genetic basis for opiate response and they don’t work on my pain so I just survive. A suggestion I have, certainly not a solution, is to try hypnosis. I put myself into a trance state twice a day for thirty minutes and, during that time, I’m able to significantly lesson my pain. When you feel I like there’s nothing to do, it’s something you can do. It may cost a bit of cash but you just need one session with a competent clinical hypnotherapist, maybe at a med school or clinical psych grad school output clinic. Don’t pick some dude out of the phone book who stops smokers. In that one session the therapist will help your husband enter a trance state and tape the induction in some method you can use every day with no expense and it gets more powerful every time you do it. I keep mine in an email he mailed me me go online every day to access gmail. I don’t want to take up any more space here but feel free to ask me for more info. I actually did this stuff as work at times but it was not my specialty. It is an underutilized treatment but has been round a long time. Best of luck to your husband.

      Reply
      1. Capt.Michaels says:

        Thanks for sharing your thoughts Steve. As long as all of us can get along, talk respectfully to one another, and not be ugly. IMO, we are exemplifying what maturity is all about. I wish you well on your resident status brother.

        Reply
  9. z1queenie says:

    In my opinion, if people have to shout from the rooftops, “Hey look at me, I’m a Christian” then you’re not much of a Christian. A real Christian doesn’t ask for recognition, he doesn’t proselytize, he just carries on as best he can doing the word of God, and if somebody wants to talk to him about God, religion, or the price of tea in China, he’ll talk to you and not make you feel stupid or belittle you because you don’t believe the way he does.

    Reply

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