Im not religious in any way, so Im not offended by this or anything, but WTF?! I just thought it was about the most bizarre thing Id heard in ages:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3948329.stm

*EDIT* I just remembered that religious topics dont tend to end in happy threads. It wasn't my intention to discuss religion, I just thought it was a really odd move on the part of the RN. So, If you're gonna discuss, play nice [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

hmm I dunno but it seems like something should be more then 40 years old to be considered a valid religion.

That said to each their own but I think the Navy has the responsibility to ensure that personal beliefs do not come in the way of the execution and cohesivness of a unit. As long as this guy doesn't disrupt the working of the ship I suppose it's fine.

btw: the guy is not the captain, he's a naval technician. fair play to them, taking equal opportunities to the extreme. i agree though, if it doesn't cause any problems on the ship or whatever, then why shouldn't he be allowed...?

Maybe it's not as tolerant, but I prefer the American Navy's "don't ask, don't conduct blood sacrifices on the deck" policy regarding persons of Satanic inclination...

I suspect Satanism has been around for well over 40 years in one form or another...

i just made up a religion where i worship my electric pencil sharpner, how many followers do i need to get in order to have it accepted as official, here are some beliefs of my religion, as set forth by "whirly the sharpner"

1. Propper grammar is not required on the internet, but you do have to at least be able to understand it!

2. robot buttlers for everyone!

D. car alarms should not go off for no reason in the middle of the night waking me up!


well thats just the groundlines of the religion.. i think it could take off, i want to be able to marry people for no reason! and have a statue built of Whirley and myself!

I don't think you need to fulfill any requirements to have it accepted. And I don't think acceptance of your religion has much to do with your ability to join the Navy.

I remember when I was in the army me and this captain had this same conversation. I guess he can be a satanist as long as he dosent try to spread his religion or make a spectacle of himself. It's his choice, people can tolerate it, but they dont have to accept it.
I bet the dude doesent have many friends. I bet he's way creepy.

Mojo I love the way the device looks like a half helm for a spacemarine and the pencils are actually nuclear loaded bullets! I just relized Mojo what is missing in my life and I want to be connected electically to your pencil sharpener or at least impaled by freshly sharpened pencils, oh gheez PLEASE, Mojo!

Satanism is just a contrarian offshoot of Christianity, so no waiting period should be necessary for that religion.

Hrm!

/jzero

If I was into religion, Satanism would probably be the one for me. Perhaps Buddism, although thts not really a religion. I'm a slightly Buddist atheist. With Satanic leanings.

Rick would that be then: Satdism or Buddanism or Sattheistism or Budtheistanic?

Doh, dunno where I read that he was a captain. Oh well, doesnt seem quite as extreme now.

i really don't see what the big deal is, and don't think this is news worthy. satanism isn't any more fucked up than the other accepted religions.

mojo: i want a robot buttler. where do i sign up?

apologies for posting a story that isnt news worthy. Just dont read it. If you knew anything about the Royal Navy ( which I dont expect you to ) its a pretty bizarre story considering their stuffiness and insistance on clinging to tradition ( which often involves christianity )

DaZ - I think the first line in the article is easy to misread, I know I did. It says "has been allowed to register by the captain of HMS Cumberland" and I read it at first as "register as captain". But then I've been pretty sleep deprived lately, I've been spending some VERY late nights worshipping my pencil sharpener lately

[ QUOTE ]
If I was into religion, Satanism would probably be the one for me. Perhaps Buddism, although thts not really a religion. I'm a slightly Buddist atheist. With Satanic leanings.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know that you could pick any two religious systems that are any further apart - Satanism is entirely self-centered and Buddhism is about the denial of want. Perhaps this was a joke and I'm being to literal to appreciate it?

I guess someone who doesn't give a shit about material things, and also doesn't give a shit about the people around him, would fit that description. And that isn't too uncommon really , I sometimes feel the same; but slightly buddhist atheist sounds about right for me, too [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
So Satanism and Buddhism only contradict themselves at first sight...

Whirly is god INCARNATE

May all tremble before the vile pencil devourer god of destruction!!!

hope the guy burns....

Actually Verm I think it is just, I don't have to go to mass sort of thing. Try and find a local Satanic church and then you have to go a few thousand miles to find a Buddist temple. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

You hope the guy burns? What reasoned thinking leads to that conclusion?

After some googling, I can't really see that Satanism and Buddism are incomptible. They share many of the same beleifs.

[ QUOTE ]
I've been spending some VERY late nights worshipping my pencil sharpener lately

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, is that what you kids are calling it these days... [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Rick: After some Googling, I'd hope you realised it was spelt "Buddhism"... [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

It's spelt both buddism AND buddhism, much like Korma and Kurma and Kurmah. But with less sauce.