To Each His own.

[Evan Lewis]

Without feeling this is going to be controversial.Must quote a very respected Shipmate of mine.Who once raised the then considered ,No! No! Don't Talk about Religion or Politics.
He ,emphasised Why Not? The usual answer would be ."It may upset someone. Especially if You're having ,a few drinks."
Over the years,(must qualify ,this is my own response.)
But That little statement, Thank You Derek! Has made me feel a lot happier .
I don't give A Tinkers curse . And any Atheists ,as I now am. Have not, 'So far as I'm Aware,been involved in any religious disputes .
Just had a very pleasant Hr or so. Tuned in to A Dave Allen Segment , on You Tube . Recommended

[John Arton]

Evan
True, religion and politics were usually not a subject discussed at sea. Religion most likely because seafarers were/are the most tolerant of people you would ever hope to come across, answering more to the god of the sea than any religious god and regarding all politicians with suspicion.
Having sailed with mixed crews all my sea going career (Spanish/Indian/Filipino/Russian/Greek) and all manners of religion the only religious people I had any respect for were the Padres working in the Seamans Missions world wide. They never attempted to impose their religion on any crew member, irrespective of faith, but would arrange for prayers etc. for any and all crew members, even those of the mozzie faith.
I only sailed with one truly religious person and this was a first trip cadet who daily read from his bible, demanded that the games room be left empty every sunday in order that he could carry out his devotions and even said his religion forbade him working on the Sabbath. I guess to can figure out what answers he got to those demands. He even had the temerity to bring up his abhorrence towards the demon alcohol one evening in the bar when we were all engaged in a Halloween party in a port in Sweden (we had wives and children on board for a coastal voyage and had pushed the boat out decorating the bar and all dressing up in Halloween clothing). You can guess the response he got for that and it was the only time I ever saw the most mild mannered Captain I ever sailed with to loose his temper.
His religious views led him to having a very lonely life at sea and he eventually ended up sobbing on my shoulder saying that no one liked him or would talk to him and he was starting to feel suicidal. Fortunately I had my wife with me as had the Captain and between us all we managed to make him see sense and for him to keep his religious beliefs to himself and to do his praying in the sanctuary of his own cabin and not attempt to impose it on the rest of us., as for not working on the Sabbath he had no choice in that matter. I don't know if he ever completed his cadetship or if he was able to allow his religious beliefs to ever give him a "normal" life but I doubt it as holding onto those very strongly held beliefs meant that, at least at sea, he led a very lonely life. He actually came from a wealthy family and his religion was main stream Christianity not one of the fringe types (Morman, etc.).
The things you had to do and put up with at sea eh.
rgds
JA

[j.sabourn]

We had a 3rd mate very similar but only in a different way. He brought his salvation army uniform with him as probably his parents made him. He was the biggest tom cat you can imagine while away. One sunday morning was woken up at home by the salvation army playing their band in the street outside. Opened the bedroom window to tell them to scarper and there was this 3rd. mate all pious until he saw me and tried to hide beside someone else. Had young catering boys visit my house when home on leave as were in the area, as queer as a two bob note, had some explaining to do, actually the particular one who visited one time used to carry his mothers clothes for dressing up at nights I was told. Seamen are a very tolerant lot and treat others as we would want to be treat. The worse type though was the reformed alcoholic, the saying there is none so pure as the purified is very true, always batting your ear about the evils of drink. Cheers JS

[Frederick Lacey]

Hi Evan, have you seen this.?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYXenjpefNU

[Chris Allman]

In the middle of a hurricane or on a flat calm sea, the wonders of the oceans never ceased to amaze me and bolster my beliefs in my chosen religion, however I would never dream to hoist my beliefs on anyone. I was lucky enough to be allowed to find my own way in religion and was never brow beaten or forced into anything by my parents or anyone else for that matter. As a result this has left me fairly tolerant of other religions, however there is one and I am sure you all know which one I am talking about, which leaves me very concerned for the world. How people can equate beheading / murder, brutality and torture as the will of a God, whilst others preach that the very same God reviles and judges as sins the same crimes, completely baffles and bewilders me. Violence of any type, in the name of religion cannot be right and to my mind anyone who takes part in that kind of behavior in the name of religion is nothing but a criminal using religion as an excuse and should be dealt with accordingly.

[vic mcclymont]

Every time there is a major incident involving ******s, one of their spokesman appears on TV stating that they are a tolerant religion. Are they? in yesterdays Daily Mail there was a story about a family in Bradford that had converted to Christianity, there lives have been mad hell by the believers of the tolerant religion. Their car has been trashed on numerous occasions, the family have been threatened, kids threatened at school and the Cops do nothing.
The family now has to move.
regards
Vic

[Louis the Amigo]

hi shipmates, came across a saying the other day? jews never go to sea ? only sail with one 2nd officer small man with a chip on his shoulder.

[happy daze john in oz]

Cannot recall any one I sailed with having a strong religeous conviction, though they may not have wished to show it. But as most of the global conflicts start with religeon maybe they are correct to keep quiet.

[gray_marian]

#7 Louis, I prefer a chip on each shoulder, then they are perfectly balanced! As to Jewish folk, have only known one. An ex business partner of my hubby. Well dressed and man about town. Used to walk in of a morning with a huge cigar hanging from his lips saying 'Morning chaps' to the children 5,3 & 1 and myself, I was rather bemused

[j.sabourn]

Sailed with a Jewish Chief Steward a Cockney. One of the most liberal ch. Stwds have sailed with. The real jewish ones came from Cappys area where they could still remember the Jarrow March. The Jews have a name for being mean, this is a misnomer, they wouldnt stand a chance against a Yorkie or a Scotsman. Joking only. JS