Reverent, texts, scouts, a new old reverence.
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
United States
February 28, 2009 3:16pm CST
As with most groups there are codes of conduct, otherwise known as oaths and laws to be followed or accepted.
I was once a Boy Scout and I remember the Scout Oath to be - On my honor I will do my best to GOD and my country to obey all of the Scout Laws to keep myself mentally awake, morally straight, and physically fit. I hope I remembered that correctly...
This is the actual Oath taken from this site at this link:
http://www.usscouts.org/USSCOUTS/advance/boyscout/bsoathlaw.asp
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
How about the Scout Laws?
A Scout is:
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
and
Reverent,
At one time I would see value in respecting other peoples religious beliefs, until I saw the damage that could be caused as people trash the constitutional rights of others causing individual harm to members of the community and their families. I once viewed the world with rose colored glasses being indoctrinated into a false understanding and belief structure, now I see with clarity that I was being forced to believe what others wanted me to believe without evidence or proof to support their belief systems and structures.
To be tolerant of other people and their false beliefs brings harm to individuals, self and country. In the end it is not good for our world to have these false belief systems as they do not conserve our energy and fail miserably in doing good for others.
We have a lot of work to do to make our world a better place.
First we have to recognize the harm Organized religions have caused and we need to put an end to such barbarism.
We need to grow our world together in the light of love and not allow those filled with hatred to manipulate our laws for their personal gain.
Who hated my father? I did not hate my father, I hated the fact that my father was so manipulated to cause harm to me or himself that he would commit an outlandish act and pull the trigger, but there is more to the story that I can not share, at this moment in time...
So, I wait for the transcript...
With a lot of work to do...
6 responses
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
2 Mar 09
Blessings Great White Buffalo,
I was a Campfire Girl when I was young. I admit, I don't remember all the codes. I do recall the ones you metioned as eventually I became a member of the Eagle Scouts. I have also been a Girl Scout leader.
I agree, we do need to follow our own path. That we are indeed pressured to believe and accept what our families and peers believe and accept for truth. It is uncomfortable for people to risk seeing beyond what is expected or the "norm". I admit, even organized religion is about perceptions, as are most things. Colors, animals, herbs, we are told they are for this, that and the other and we don't look any deeper. However, we may have a bad experience with, for example, spiders and therefore become afraid of them. Often times, we learn this behavior because someone else freaks out when they see one. We don't examine such things as a child, we accept it.
I once read an analogy about how people were captured and taken to a dark dank cave and forced to face the wall. Their keepers brought them food and had guards to ensure no one dared escape. Some time later, they left and the captives could leave. Most were afraid to even risk looking away from the wall, much less dare leave the cave.
This analogy factors into our lives on so many levels, including with our beliefs. Dare we look within? Dare we seek our own truth? Dare we speak our truth?
I say bravo for you. I say my path is my own, as is my truth. Will it work for everyone else? Parts of it may, but not all of it. Growth is important, once again, on all levels. I'm so glad I stepped out of the cave. I found love and light. However, even in the darkness, I still held fast to hope. It has not failed me. My heart and eyes and mind are open.
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I'm reflecting a lot of your thoughts, and I see that we are thinking on a lot of subjects from the same perception and practical point of understanding. I never made it to the level of Eagle Scout, I thought that the boys and the girls were separated and you write that you had become a member of the Eagle Scouts, I would like to know more of what you remember, I'm really curious...
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
5 Mar 09
Oh' my heart melts, they (Scouting Programs) love to have people read their books and answer their questions, you know following the instructions is not a bad thing, reading and understanding is good for the soul.
Freedom comes when you have all of the knowledge; and can use practical constructs through imaginative creations to manifest in the moment with materials at hand.
Blessings to you...
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
4 Mar 09
Truth is sweetie, that was just prior to me leaving home. I don't remember a lot other than a few camping trips and the fact that the leaders were really great people. I'd have enough of my adoptive parents and could simply take no more of the beatings.
I will tell you that I was 16 and that when they found me, the scout leader and his wife, they took me in for a bit. They insisted that my parents be called however and I understood their position, they weren't aware of the horrors. But they did leave me the car keys on the dresser. That in itself meant more to me than anything. I went back home, briefly. Then I never again returned.
Now, as a girl scout leader, the things that made me insane were that you couldn't have a simple cookout in your backyard without taking basic outdoorsmanship. The leaders often said we couldn't wipe our butts without a basic training course and permission. It really was absurd.
Blessings
1 person likes this
@jimbomuso (950)
•
2 Mar 09
Hi GreatWhite
is this a call to arms for militant atheism? spirituality seems to be hardwired into most people. organized religion is going to hinder and help humanity just like it has always done since it inception. The thing is a lot of people 'use' their religion to justify acting like complete ####s most of the time and a hook on which to hang the good stuff in the good times. I'm Agnosticky, and sometimes I need to believe in a heaven, so my Grandad(the goodone)my Dad and my brother continue to survive and are surrounded by the peeps like Jimi Hendrix and Einstein!! sometimes I'm nearly convinced there can be no external creator for a fully contained universe . Even through all this I still class myself as 'One of God's most unwilling servants' - by that I mean I try to do 'good' wherever I go, even though I have this ongoing battle between my rationality and my spirituality!
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Funny how in some families there are good and bad, and the children and grandchildren can know which is which. Your dad and brother with Jimi and Einstein??? That is rich, very good company, as Jimi was a representation of something free and that is the key...
Your battle between Rational beliefs and understandings along with opposition to people who are undermining your spiritual beliefs. What combines the two systems is the one bridge called truth, how can you find the truth? So many people fall for the gimmick of relative truth, is there really a relative truth, call it by any other name say subjective truth or any other false reality parading as the truth, there is only one absolute truth, and we will come to know the absolute truth if we keep our ears and eyes open.
Think about it...
@jimbomuso (950)
•
5 Mar 09
thanks GWB!
I'm still at odd's with what some people define as absolute truth! I don't think anyone can have an absolute, - because being an observer in anything changes the way the situation pans out, for me there are only subjective truths that individuals come to identify with, for an absolute to exsist then everyone would have to share the 'same' train of thought! some of my scientific heroes have spent lifetimes looking for the 'grand theory of everything'- would this constitute as an absolute? Most have found that instead of there being an 'all in one' there are the multiplicitous layers upon layers all stacked on top of one another, with truth entirely blurred and given relevence by perspective, for example - a table, a wooden table, a collection of carbon atoms that have the properties of wood and fashioned into a table, an object that is a table but has a lot of empty space when viewed at a quantum level.
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
1 Mar 09
Well since they have done unto me as they wish, I suppose it is time that they receive the fruits of their labor which has been a labor of hatred, their reward is the loss of that which they felt was their right. The obligations that were placed upon the meek in order to keep poor while exalting others as the profits were given only to those who already have much, as though to be teasing the rest of us dangling food above our heads and not allowing us to partake. The minority are wealthy and the economy is about to collapse, yet they in their pompous glory keep stroking their ego's as though they do not have a care in the world.
The tables are at a tipping point about to be overturned, unless more of the profits are shared and the wealth is not so extremely divided between the rich and the poor.
The truth is a fundamental tool that helps to keep the peace, with out the truth and transparency the world is likely to become very hostile for all classes of people.
In other words if the elite feel it is noble to take from the poor then the poor will not have a problem taking from the wealthy who have taken from the poor in order to be where they are today. Notice not all of the honest hard working elite are included in this paradigm, it is only those who are greedy or selfish seeking to gain through unscrupulous means.
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
28 Feb 09
I agree with you about organized religions but I doubt that we will ever eradicate them, completely. Many people would rather be told how they should live than figure it out. They need to be led and that is why so many new religions pop up, too. If one does not fit what you want, well, just start a new one, like Henry the Eighth did, as an example.
That is why, being raised as a Catholic, I do not believe in any religion. I believe in a supreme being that does not condemn us for messing up, is all-loving and letting us figure it out for ourselves.
I do not believe in sin nor Hell. I do believe that we move onto a life in spirit, whatever that place is called, but that we reap what we sow and that is that.
I do believe in tolerance as I feel my part in life is to be a peace maker and by attacking other people's beliefs puts them on the defensive. When that is done, the mind is closed.
Being a teacher, I can say that the best way to teach anyone is to be a good guide, on the side. You give them the information and allow them to come to their own conclusion... you know, the catch more flies with honey way.
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
1 Mar 09
I love Honey and Lemon in my tea, does that count?
Take note to the response I left for our friend Keymandan...
Being put on the defensive is one thing but since any ability for me to provide a defense has been removed, then maybe by exposing the flaws and corruptions they too will see the importance to having the ability to defend and they have the opportunity to show me the error of my ways if they really care to and can.
For as you see I have not removed the ability of anyone to present their defense for their Organized Belief structures. I don't have the ability to prevent anyone or everyone from posting a response. They in fact are encouraged to present their defense, I would like to see a really good defense.
Saying that I'm offensive is not presenting a defense though while my words might seem to be escalating a confrontation, they might seem offensive if you interpret my words and works in that way then you or anyone certainly could make that as your case against me. But that isn't what I'm trying to do and certainly is not what you are trying to insinuate as you are giving me your advice to be very careful as though I should be walking on egg shells.
The image that just jumped into my mind is one that goes like this, rather silly, I could never imagine a Buffalo walking on Egg shells, it just isn't going to happen... 
For as you see I have not removed the ability of anyone to present their defense for their Organized Belief structures. I don't have the ability to prevent anyone or everyone from posting a response. They in fact are encouraged to present their defense, I would like to see a really good defense.
Saying that I'm offensive is not presenting a defense though while my words might seem to be escalating a confrontation, they might seem offensive if you interpret my words and works in that way then you or anyone certainly could make that as your case against me. But that isn't what I'm trying to do and certainly is not what you are trying to insinuate as you are giving me your advice to be very careful as though I should be walking on egg shells.
The image that just jumped into my mind is one that goes like this, rather silly, I could never imagine a Buffalo walking on Egg shells, it just isn't going to happen... @nanajanet (4436)
• United States
1 Mar 09
Walking on eggshells? No, that is not me, either, but being a Libra, I tend to be a little less crunchy when walking, lol.
It is always good to present the facts. I always remember the TV show, DRAGNET, when Sgt. Joe Friday uttered, "All we want are the facts, ma'am". LOL.
That is how I try to do things. I have a tendency to say, "My belief," or, "My view", or "my opinion", ... "is based on these facts..."
Then that will give the other time to refute, if they wish. I do not like it, as I am sure you do not either, when people just start attacking. Then I will walk away as I do not like to waste my time and find that it does not help anyway.
It is a tough thing, trying to convince others to change what they believe. I am always amazed at how many "pagans" were converted and why they were called "savages", just because they did not believe the same.
Oh, well, we can only find out information, pass it on and hope that people will take it all into consideration, as you and I have.
1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
28 Feb 09
Hi TheGreatWhiteBuffalo,
Many people use religion for their own ends and most time it is bad, I wait to hear more from you on this subject.
Tamara
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
1 Mar 09
Thanks Tamara,
I think that Keymandan has opened a door...
Let's see...
@mathss1 (1181)
• United States
3 Mar 09
A good and long discussion I do not have anything significant to add just a bit of ranting and interfering in a discussion is considered rude
Lol
I think organised religions are the best and they should be followed as they all teach good there is nothing wrong in them they teach a person to become a boon for the society they enforce a feeling of brotherhood between followers and empower the community organised religions are the solution to the problems of the world today.
People today just claim to follow religions but do not follow them
I saw a person calling another one old and responding to all his discussion as if the elderly person was insane but that man got banned never to return I still regret my behaviour ....
(if you ever meet mr quest tell him I am sorry for my past)
Did I do that because my religion says so ?
No it was just for fun ,can you imagine people trouble others for fun
I am guilty of treason
I abandoned my religion am I to blame or my religion?
Have a gr8 time
Njoy
