A well written article, my friend - and one I could have written myself ... five years ago.
I'm an old man, and for most of my life I have been agnostic. Well, I always told people I was agnostic, I was actually an atheist - I was afraid to call myself that, though. I was afraid partly because atheists, during my life, have had a reputation of being “in your face assholes” to believers – I was never one of those. I’ve never been interested in ridiculing the beliefs of others, although I’ve never shied away from a respectful debate.
Part of the reason I also never called myself an “atheist” is because the term seems so final – like I have reached the ultimate truth when something deep in me knew I hadn’t.
Since you mention, God – nor a higher power – not even once in this article, I’m assuming here that you hold views like the ones I formerly held?
I could never believe in God; I was a logical person. Faith, the Church … none of it made sense to me.
Since I hold views that are counter to the prevailing authoritarian winds, i.e. – I believe in the Constitution and the American Revolution, and utterly oppose the Deep State and it’s privileged idiotic nomenklatura. I’m the kind of person that goes on FBI watchlists these days. I’m not going to divulge much about myself, other than to say I have a long association with the U.S. Navy … in uniform, and my career was absolutely AMAZING.
Five years ago, I became a Christian, not through Faith – but because an AG1 (Weather Guesser) threw me a copy of the book … “The Case for A Creator”, by Lee Strobel. I told him that, as an “agnostic” – I wasn’t afraid of his little book and would happily read it and then debate him on it. What else was I to do? We were in the heavy seas of the North Atlantic on a defense mission for this nation, and we had a lot of down time due to being unable to work in the harsh weather.
This put me on a quick journey of philosophy and science – toward God. It changed my life. I remember when the epiphany hit me … “There is a GOD!” …
I was ANGRY.
Can you believe it? I didn’t want the universe to be this way, I didn’t want there to be a God. This anger lasted … about five minutes before some new peace within my soul began to wash over my entire being. I can’t describe it – but I remember I had the best night’s sleep I had ever had that night – not a care in the world. I now knew there was someone watching over me … over all of us.
Believing in a Creator doesn’t get you immediately to a belief in Christ, that was another journey for me – which I won’t get into. However, Lee Strobel helped me with that journey too.
I’m not trying to convert anyone here (everyone has to come to this on their own, by their own means – and you WILL eventually get the calling, which you will either refuse or accept) – but what I’m saying here is that BELIEVERS look at the world differently than people like you Bryan.
I WAS you.
My “god” was the constitution and the U.S. Military – the uniform and the mission we served every single day of our lives. I felt I had a duty to “represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.”
When you don’t have a belief in a higher power, you either conclude that you are your own god, or … if you are like me … you latch onto something bigger than yourself that exists on this earth. For me – it was American exceptionalism and the belief that it was our duty to spread democracy throughout the world.
Like you, I never questioned my purpose – it was essentially spelled out in the Sailor’s Creed.
When you come to realize that God is a REAL thing … everything changes, which is why many – perhaps even you – don’t want to even go down that road. Remember that, when I came to realize the truth of God – it made me angry at first? Yep, there’s a psychological barrier in guys like us that steers us away from that road.
Where you still seek to fulfill your purpose by unquestioningly defending America’s role as the ultimate arbiter of the world – I no longer do.
I’m an American by birth, but I am an acknowledged child of GOD by choice, and that will always trump my “Americanism”.
Bryan, when seven innocent children were murdered by our government on its disgraceful retreat from Afghanistan – where were you?
When the Chairman of the JCS stood up and told America his “righteous strike” LIE, did you call him out on it?
When our government refused to sanction a single individual for that massacre against an innocent group of children – where was your voice?
Those children weren’t “collateral damage” – they were victims of NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE, because the American nomenklatura had just lost 13 service-members due it’s utter incompetence – and was willing to shoot at ANYTHING in order to redeem some small amount of it’s testosterone. Testosterone I don’t think they ever had to begin with – the whole lot of them disgust me. From the President down to the now rotten Flag Officer corps of our military.
I'm not saying you're bad for not speaking out ... not at all. I know why you didn't speak out because five years ago - I wouldn't have either. I would have chalked up seven dead kids as an "oh well - that's what happens when you're trying to save the world, unfortunate, but let's move on."
I can't do that anymore, Bryan. Realizing that the incident probably bothered you too - maybe even as much as it bothered me. Maybe you even commented to someone on it - yet it did not force a change in your thinking - obviously. It didn't adjust your thinking at all.
The Afghanistan withdrawal, the 13 lost heroes, and the seven murdered children OUGHT TO HAVE FORCED radical changes in people's thinking. It certainly did mine. However, for most ... they just blacked it out of their thinking.
It certainly forced a radical change in Vladimir Putin's thinking!! Just not in the way we'd wish!
The clown-car show that was the exit from Afghanistan – BEGAT THE INVASION OF UKRAINE.
I would argue that NATO expansion over 30 years was a big part of it. I would also argue that our role in overthrowing a democratically elected government in Kiev was also a part of it. However, it was the kindergarten execution of the Afghan withdrawal that emboldened Putin to “pull the trigger” and invade.
How could anyone look at that abortion of an exit and NOT conclude that America was a rudder-less nation on its way down the drain?
I worked for an Admiral once who used to say … “When all you’ve got in your golf bag is a bent seven-iron, then that’s what you happily use for every shot.”
If all you have is a purpose driven by government, or American “exceptionalism” (which I believe in) – then that’s all you’re going to turn to. A good, competent government and American exceptionalism are great things – but there are other clubs in the golf bag, my friend.
Happily, I understand this now.
My prayer is that someday – you understand it too.
You are a good man, but the world and it’s worries, shall not be fixed by our generation. It took thousands of years for real civilization to develop – and it’s still being evolved.
(And the best parts of that evolution came from the Judaeo-Christian legacy. ;) )
Our purpose is to REFINE AND PERFECT OURSELVES – not others.
And the current nomenklatura of our nation are not anywhere near competent enough to embark on or continue any attempt to “fix” places like Russia and Ukraine. Encouraging them to do so – is equivalent to giving five-year-olds a book of matches and telling them to play in a lighter fluid factory.
It’s a beautiful picture and view you have there, Bryan – I hope one day you will realize who gave it to you.
Although I suffered years because of dyslexia, (Yes, some people can be cruel.) But,I never let that stop me, like a duck in water, I let it roll off my back. Even my employer teased me about my jumbled arrangement of letter, but he still knew I was his best employee. At 78 now, technology has helped me a great deal with spelling. Yet, grammar is still a mystery to me.
After almost dying in 1991 because of someone's neglect and being crush under 3,000 pounds of steel and concrete, I had an epiphany. Life is short, live it full speed, do the things you always wanted to do.
I always wanted to be a pilot, I went back to school, through hours of hard work I earned my Flight Instructor rating, continued my education and opened my own flight training center. The FAA recognizes my achievement and I became a examiner (DPE). Became a corporate pilot flying for a physician management company. Life was good.
I don't worry about dying, just live each day the best I can. My wife and I have made it 51+ years. She is my rock.
Nice writing. We are not the first nor will be the last to have these same thoughts...I'm sure retired warriors from the Roman empire thought similar, or farmers in the fertile crescent 10,000 years ago...onwards, always onwards to the last.
A good reflection. I think in part from observing our parents, especially if you are fortunate to have them in your life, and have an understanding that in the cycle, they stood where you stand. And then what they chose at those points. You can rest assured Bryan that your life has been full and has been of consequence. I think everyone to some degree seeks that satisfaction, no matter how oblivious! (Oblivious man wears furs, and does not care. And roars down the shoulder of the road in heavy traffic, oblivious to the danger, because he feels the need too)
I now think about dying and death. At 76 years, I am two years older than my father when he passed. Dying and death are separate things - the first a process, the second either nothing or an unknown. I fear the first (not the aging but what may be some possible painful, catastrophic occurrence), not the second. I have recently lost a number of friends (some with whom I grew up), which causes me to focus on the fact that I am still here. I look at my three daughters (each so different and all with their own children) and worry about what may be a perilous future for them. My life has been full while I struggle with regret - I could have been a better father, a more patient spouse, a more successful lawyer. I find solace in reading, especially in the early evening, outside as the sun falls . . . when it is quiet. I love humor - Carl Reiner said that when he woke up in the morning, he looked in the obituaries and if his name wasn't there, it was going to be a good day.
As I drink my morning coffee here in high desert of Arizona, I am pondering your essay. I had no plans, now I have two things to do. 1. Continue thinking of this essay. 2. Go over and read your article concerning the military industrial complex. Sal, over at "What's Going on In Shipping" introduced me to your work. Well enough of the rambling thoughts of an old hermit.
A well written article, my friend - and one I could have written myself ... five years ago.
I'm an old man, and for most of my life I have been agnostic. Well, I always told people I was agnostic, I was actually an atheist - I was afraid to call myself that, though. I was afraid partly because atheists, during my life, have had a reputation of being “in your face assholes” to believers – I was never one of those. I’ve never been interested in ridiculing the beliefs of others, although I’ve never shied away from a respectful debate.
Part of the reason I also never called myself an “atheist” is because the term seems so final – like I have reached the ultimate truth when something deep in me knew I hadn’t.
Since you mention, God – nor a higher power – not even once in this article, I’m assuming here that you hold views like the ones I formerly held?
I could never believe in God; I was a logical person. Faith, the Church … none of it made sense to me.
Since I hold views that are counter to the prevailing authoritarian winds, i.e. – I believe in the Constitution and the American Revolution, and utterly oppose the Deep State and it’s privileged idiotic nomenklatura. I’m the kind of person that goes on FBI watchlists these days. I’m not going to divulge much about myself, other than to say I have a long association with the U.S. Navy … in uniform, and my career was absolutely AMAZING.
Five years ago, I became a Christian, not through Faith – but because an AG1 (Weather Guesser) threw me a copy of the book … “The Case for A Creator”, by Lee Strobel. I told him that, as an “agnostic” – I wasn’t afraid of his little book and would happily read it and then debate him on it. What else was I to do? We were in the heavy seas of the North Atlantic on a defense mission for this nation, and we had a lot of down time due to being unable to work in the harsh weather.
This put me on a quick journey of philosophy and science – toward God. It changed my life. I remember when the epiphany hit me … “There is a GOD!” …
I was ANGRY.
Can you believe it? I didn’t want the universe to be this way, I didn’t want there to be a God. This anger lasted … about five minutes before some new peace within my soul began to wash over my entire being. I can’t describe it – but I remember I had the best night’s sleep I had ever had that night – not a care in the world. I now knew there was someone watching over me … over all of us.
Believing in a Creator doesn’t get you immediately to a belief in Christ, that was another journey for me – which I won’t get into. However, Lee Strobel helped me with that journey too.
I’m not trying to convert anyone here (everyone has to come to this on their own, by their own means – and you WILL eventually get the calling, which you will either refuse or accept) – but what I’m saying here is that BELIEVERS look at the world differently than people like you Bryan.
I WAS you.
My “god” was the constitution and the U.S. Military – the uniform and the mission we served every single day of our lives. I felt I had a duty to “represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.”
When you don’t have a belief in a higher power, you either conclude that you are your own god, or … if you are like me … you latch onto something bigger than yourself that exists on this earth. For me – it was American exceptionalism and the belief that it was our duty to spread democracy throughout the world.
Like you, I never questioned my purpose – it was essentially spelled out in the Sailor’s Creed.
When you come to realize that God is a REAL thing … everything changes, which is why many – perhaps even you – don’t want to even go down that road. Remember that, when I came to realize the truth of God – it made me angry at first? Yep, there’s a psychological barrier in guys like us that steers us away from that road.
Where you still seek to fulfill your purpose by unquestioningly defending America’s role as the ultimate arbiter of the world – I no longer do.
I’m an American by birth, but I am an acknowledged child of GOD by choice, and that will always trump my “Americanism”.
Bryan, when seven innocent children were murdered by our government on its disgraceful retreat from Afghanistan – where were you?
When the Chairman of the JCS stood up and told America his “righteous strike” LIE, did you call him out on it?
When our government refused to sanction a single individual for that massacre against an innocent group of children – where was your voice?
Those children weren’t “collateral damage” – they were victims of NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE, because the American nomenklatura had just lost 13 service-members due it’s utter incompetence – and was willing to shoot at ANYTHING in order to redeem some small amount of it’s testosterone. Testosterone I don’t think they ever had to begin with – the whole lot of them disgust me. From the President down to the now rotten Flag Officer corps of our military.
I'm not saying you're bad for not speaking out ... not at all. I know why you didn't speak out because five years ago - I wouldn't have either. I would have chalked up seven dead kids as an "oh well - that's what happens when you're trying to save the world, unfortunate, but let's move on."
I can't do that anymore, Bryan. Realizing that the incident probably bothered you too - maybe even as much as it bothered me. Maybe you even commented to someone on it - yet it did not force a change in your thinking - obviously. It didn't adjust your thinking at all.
The Afghanistan withdrawal, the 13 lost heroes, and the seven murdered children OUGHT TO HAVE FORCED radical changes in people's thinking. It certainly did mine. However, for most ... they just blacked it out of their thinking.
It certainly forced a radical change in Vladimir Putin's thinking!! Just not in the way we'd wish!
The clown-car show that was the exit from Afghanistan – BEGAT THE INVASION OF UKRAINE.
I would argue that NATO expansion over 30 years was a big part of it. I would also argue that our role in overthrowing a democratically elected government in Kiev was also a part of it. However, it was the kindergarten execution of the Afghan withdrawal that emboldened Putin to “pull the trigger” and invade.
How could anyone look at that abortion of an exit and NOT conclude that America was a rudder-less nation on its way down the drain?
I worked for an Admiral once who used to say … “When all you’ve got in your golf bag is a bent seven-iron, then that’s what you happily use for every shot.”
If all you have is a purpose driven by government, or American “exceptionalism” (which I believe in) – then that’s all you’re going to turn to. A good, competent government and American exceptionalism are great things – but there are other clubs in the golf bag, my friend.
Happily, I understand this now.
My prayer is that someday – you understand it too.
You are a good man, but the world and it’s worries, shall not be fixed by our generation. It took thousands of years for real civilization to develop – and it’s still being evolved.
(And the best parts of that evolution came from the Judaeo-Christian legacy. ;) )
Our purpose is to REFINE AND PERFECT OURSELVES – not others.
And the current nomenklatura of our nation are not anywhere near competent enough to embark on or continue any attempt to “fix” places like Russia and Ukraine. Encouraging them to do so – is equivalent to giving five-year-olds a book of matches and telling them to play in a lighter fluid factory.
It’s a beautiful picture and view you have there, Bryan – I hope one day you will realize who gave it to you.
Although I suffered years because of dyslexia, (Yes, some people can be cruel.) But,I never let that stop me, like a duck in water, I let it roll off my back. Even my employer teased me about my jumbled arrangement of letter, but he still knew I was his best employee. At 78 now, technology has helped me a great deal with spelling. Yet, grammar is still a mystery to me.
After almost dying in 1991 because of someone's neglect and being crush under 3,000 pounds of steel and concrete, I had an epiphany. Life is short, live it full speed, do the things you always wanted to do.
I always wanted to be a pilot, I went back to school, through hours of hard work I earned my Flight Instructor rating, continued my education and opened my own flight training center. The FAA recognizes my achievement and I became a examiner (DPE). Became a corporate pilot flying for a physician management company. Life was good.
I don't worry about dying, just live each day the best I can. My wife and I have made it 51+ years. She is my rock.
Nice writing. We are not the first nor will be the last to have these same thoughts...I'm sure retired warriors from the Roman empire thought similar, or farmers in the fertile crescent 10,000 years ago...onwards, always onwards to the last.
A good reflection. I think in part from observing our parents, especially if you are fortunate to have them in your life, and have an understanding that in the cycle, they stood where you stand. And then what they chose at those points. You can rest assured Bryan that your life has been full and has been of consequence. I think everyone to some degree seeks that satisfaction, no matter how oblivious! (Oblivious man wears furs, and does not care. And roars down the shoulder of the road in heavy traffic, oblivious to the danger, because he feels the need too)
Said simpler that Viktor Frankl. Thanks for the essay.
I now think about dying and death. At 76 years, I am two years older than my father when he passed. Dying and death are separate things - the first a process, the second either nothing or an unknown. I fear the first (not the aging but what may be some possible painful, catastrophic occurrence), not the second. I have recently lost a number of friends (some with whom I grew up), which causes me to focus on the fact that I am still here. I look at my three daughters (each so different and all with their own children) and worry about what may be a perilous future for them. My life has been full while I struggle with regret - I could have been a better father, a more patient spouse, a more successful lawyer. I find solace in reading, especially in the early evening, outside as the sun falls . . . when it is quiet. I love humor - Carl Reiner said that when he woke up in the morning, he looked in the obituaries and if his name wasn't there, it was going to be a good day.
As I drink my morning coffee here in high desert of Arizona, I am pondering your essay. I had no plans, now I have two things to do. 1. Continue thinking of this essay. 2. Go over and read your article concerning the military industrial complex. Sal, over at "What's Going on In Shipping" introduced me to your work. Well enough of the rambling thoughts of an old hermit.
I am content