I hesitate to interject some thoughts on this subject, but feel compelled to do so in the light of full disclosure and trust in the ways of the Earth Mother. My roots are firmly entrenched with lineage back to Native Americans, Gypsies, and a horse thief or two to even the score. I was raised as a Baptist and due to a 20 year hitch in the USN, became a sort of 'any church is okay' type of Christian. After my second tour (of three) in Vietnam, I started to relook at my inner beliefs and was fortunate enough to have some compelling talks with an "Old One" of the tribe. Those talks calmed my inner self so thoroughly that I have become a student of all religon since then. I have studied the three major religons and find each of them to have merit. The one damning thing that bothers me is the way each has "control" as the foremost lynchpin in the makeup. The other is the exclusivity that obviates the member to not acknowledge any other religon. I can remember as a Baptist that it wasn't considered good form to go to any other church. We weren't supposed to play cards, swim in mixed company, nor do anything but pray on sunday. So when I went back to Vietnam, I found solace in that when I was way out there and feeling really vulnerable, I could communicate with the trees, the sky, and the ground. I could respect the sun and moon. I marvel that I survived the worst and most risk laden of the three tours. When I came back and went through the bad times I remembered the "Old One" and it gave me the strength to survive. Remember, the reason that all of us that came back felt so bad is that we left our buds who didn't survive back there. We all felt guilty for having lived. I was popping Valerian like candy during the worst times and it helped. I also used a lot of Chamomile too. The stuff that the VA wanted to pop me with would have made a basket case out of me for the rest of my life. So, I feel that one should believe. I believe. I have neither prejidice nor bias against any religon. I don't attend a formal building for my prayers. I do walk in the woods and talk with the trees. No, I don't have the level of sense to hear them, but I am working on it. I have a friend that not only talks to the plants, but can go into woods and obtain the proper plant to help a patient. He claims the plant tells him. I believe it. I have seen the results. Anyway, this doesn't have much to do with CS, but it does have a lot to do as the differences that all of us bring to the table. I am very comfortable that I lead a life of propriety and ethic that satisfies my family, friends, associates, and those I must interact with. The first rule of conduct in our family is to never do anything that, if at any moment another family membe would come in a be present, no one would be embarrased. Pretty simplistic, but it works.
Hope I have helped, Jack
