Thanks much for the great info Commander Harris.

 

In the string of information throughout this thread, I’ve come to the conclusion that communication from the National Office on this subject was severely lacking when these actions were taken during the National Council.  Obviously this is a problem of the past, and the past “administration” at that, but still a problem.

 

I would certainly disagree that there is no place for a program that KEEPS boys in Rangers just because they turn 18 and go off to college, but if Men’s Ministries did the job they are be doing in support of Rangers, the problem wouldn’t exist.  I’m sure the intentions by the team were right in their formation of the process back in the 70’s.

 

I would also tend to agree that the D&D problem could be a certain detractor to any involvement in things that give the appearance of evil, as we are to shy away from such practice according to Rev. Paul in 2 Thes.

 

It all makes perfect sense to me, and I appreciate the input from all concerned.

 

Though the history lesson below is most certainly accurate, the generalities of the period that I mentioned are portrayed in all forms of media that surround us… thus lending a negative note that causes us to want to stay away from the very appearance of evil… especially in light of the D&D, Pokemon, Digimon and “Magic” epidemic across the nation and the world in these times.

 

Wizards, Magic, Dragons and other such stories have become such ‘fact’ for the period, though only legend, the period is left with a stigma of impropriety in the Christian community…. As is the cause of Civil War period as you have mentioned.

 

Surely the Civil War still wages, all-be-it not in the Union and Confederate method, since mankind strives to find it’s own hierarchy in it’s social climate.  That’s our fallible human nature, and a result of sin.

 

Frontiersmen of the 1800’s were not all raping pillagers as you mention.  There were, as in any time period, the good and the bad.  Unfortunately, the bad often get bigger headlines… just as in the Crusades… yes, it’s stereotyping in a form…. But when folks think of frontiersmen, do they think of rape and pillage, or buckskin and Daniel Boone?  When folks think of the middle ages, I suspect they think of Knights, Dragons, King Arthur and Merlin…. Not an image I prefer my kids to correlate with Rangers.

 

Just my own opinion.

 

Again, thanks all!

 

Parson.

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Michael D Harris
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2001 3:48 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [RR] A Theme is a theme by any other name....

 

The main reason that CORR became unsupported is that Ken Hunt decided to place CORR in the strictest definition of Royal Rangers, thus stating that is not a boy's program there for had no place in Royal Rangers. It was from this point that the National Office began down a different road leaving CORR to exist in the Charter only and soon the Shires felt the pressure (and discouragement), finally ceasing to exist. My guess is that in 1999 the Executive Offices decided to "clean up" the Charter, eliminating baggage aka. Chi Omega Rho since it was inactive.

The theme has drawn criticism but mostly from the unlearned. Knighthood in the Middle Ages was the standing philosophy of merging Christianity with personal action and responsibility (something that we do today...or at least we should). It was during the Middle Ages that the great cathedrals of Europe were built and Christianity was practiced throughout. There were few who were actually given the 'decision' to convert or die.  Christianity was so wide spread that this practice truely cannot be credited till the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries when Europeans began to explore outside of their own continent. In the Middle Ages, you were an infidel or Christian (not much different here today either). The only dark blot on knighthood as a whole were the Crusades, but even still we have the luxury of sitting in our easy chairs, well-read theologically and judge the motives and reasons for the individuals involved. I would not do or condone what the Crusaders did but judging their motives outside the context of their time period is the same same reason that the American Civil War is still being fought today (and you thought it was over...).

The occult that Mr. Burn's mentioned could not be practiced in the Middle Ages because the practice of such was penalized by death. It wasn't until the Renaissance that such practices were becoming more wide spread but still only behind closed doors, still carrying the same penaties. The modern "reenactment" Mr. Burn's mentions is cause for alarm since these people do not portray the medieval knight but instead a modern-day, politically-correct, pagan version. You cannot claim to be portraying the medieval knight when you cut out Christ from the picture.

Sad to say, there is no information about CORR anywhere except what is in the hands of old CORR members (300+) and what is at the National Office gathering dust. Sorry Edward the Humbled....

And by the way, I didn't mention anything about "glorified pastors".

Themes have to weighed in for proper usage. If I were to mention so-called Christians who took over land, converted the heathen at gun or knife point, raped and pillaged innocent people as they saw fit, started wars in "the name of God", co-habited with different women and then mentioned that all these things were done by the AMERICAN FRONTIERSMAN, how should we view FCF? Should we get rid of FCF, according to some, yes, but that is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. We take these things and create good from the evil, as was originally intended. I still remember the days when Dallas Holmes was looked down upon by the 'Christian' community because his music was "too modern" and "too worldly sounding".

A medieval knight was raised to be obediant, unselfish, protect the innocent and the church. To die giving his life for another. The typical American frontiersman was self centered, selfish, turned away from society and its 'rules' (mosty based on Biblical principles) to be 'independent' (an island?...). It would be easy to go on but I'll save it. I think the point's been made.

Arch-Duke Stalwart the Tired and ready to go take a Nap... 

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