i've been thinking...once upon a time, i read the book Starship Troopers, and i liked the idea of the "chaplain" type person that would pray with any religious types before a drop. Seeing as I am a Christian, i thought it would be a good idea if i started doing that for us (as soon as i start trooping, that is) although if anyone has any prayer requests, i'll take those on here as well. what does everybody think? is that something you folks would support?

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Squad Leader, 58th Regt., 2nd Batt., "Morse's Marauders" - U.S.S. Azuera
Primary MOS: Rifleman
Secondary MOS: Combat Demolitions

"When the going gets tough, the tough call on the Colonial Marines."

I'm reading your post.....and then your choice of signature...... lol

I'd support it. But bare in mind not everyone is religious.

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Alwys a grey area bringing things like religion into a mutual interest or a fandom. Not everyone is religious, or indeed follows the same religion so possibly wouldn't welcome such an idea.

I can't see a problem with it if it was done amongst those of the same faith or willing to participate, but wouldn't advocate it as a blanket type thing.

You could always rig your gear when you get it to represnt a Marine Chaplain if such a thing exists. Hell our Army chaplain used to come out on the town with us and hit the strip bars so anythings possible.



Chris

An oecumenical chaplain would be fine by me (I'm an agnostic with a dash of anti-religiousness), and actually an original idea. But I would advise learning a few prayers and rituals from other confessions - El Maleh Rachamim, Janaza Salah, Buddhist or Shinto chants, things like that... just so you can 'confess' sheep from different flocks!

Limiting yourself to a solely Christian chaplain, well... Nothing wrong with it in itself, as far as I'm concerned, but you do run the risk of finding someone who could get sort of offended by it.

I mean, people are offended by the word "Christmas" now...

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It's your choice....do what you want, it's all good. I bet you will have more fun as just a grunt. When the going gets tough, I want to hear you say, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition".

Mike

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There is nothing more impressive than a bloody big Alien wiggling on the end of a sharp stick!

Hey Mav,just remember if you take the position.......case of beer!

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"What the hell are we gonna use man....harsh language"!!!

Morale support for the troops is good.

There are some of us that don't fit the standard religious types.

I personally follow the gods of my Norse ancestors. But then I also have taken the role of chaplain in our WW2 reenactment group. So
if you want to do the part go for it.

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SFC
Michael Larson
Minnesota-USA

A03/TQ1.0.92141E1

Without wishing to cause offence, please NO.

Although I am an atheist and anti-religion in general, I honestly think unless you can or are willing to cater for all world creeds and religions, then I think you are opening a huge can of worms and might cause offence to some.

Sorry you did ask for honest opinions.


As an aside, are there any religious moments in the film?

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Martin 'Victim' Victory
A86/TQ3.4.49421E3
UKCM 13th Regt. 1st Batt. Freebooters


you can't take the PUNK outa Spunkmeyer

There's Vasquez's "Vaya con Dios"... Although that's pretty much all I can think about.[/i]

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Religious moments? Not really. But come on... if we go fully canon than no Nerf Longshots, no PPIGS or SADAR, no EUBs, etc.

I think even if you wouldn't even have to do anything more than paint a black stripe with a white cross on your helmet and wear a similar armband.

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Well I'm a christian, but am not sure we need a prayer-leader though.

I think a sort of designated 'chaplain' would be fine though.
Heck, I'm sure some of you have heard of the guys who refuse to swear during USMC boot camp being called 'father'.

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Private B. Lipnick
A07/TQ1.0.02161E1

~funny name, serious attitude~

Sure, why the heck not?

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MOVE IT OUT!MOVE IT OUT!MOVE IT OUT!

Rank: Private, First Class
Callsign: Draconus
Service Number: A06/TQ2.0.82147E1

After years of religious persecution with really makes me uneasy. Especially the title of a prayer leader. It sounds too much like a Sunday function, which would reflect onto the Charter as a religious costume group.

Maybe if you referred to yourself as a chaplain, but a prayer leader? No, that just... No.

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-Dan AKA
A07/TQ1.0.72161E1

I'm firmly against organised religion myself... But I considered doing pretty much this, given my username and inspired by the very book you mention.

I think it's fair enough if you want to decorate your loadout to represent a company chaplain - the reason I decided against it in the end is that I didn't want people asking me for a prayer when I AM an atheist.
If you do believe, then you're perfectly suited.

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MSgt, UKCM 42nd Reg., 1st Batt. : Hadrian's Wall. UKCM

Wasteland Workshop
Props, cosplay pieces, upcycled ornamentation, and miscellanea;
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Steve Fletcher : Maker, Scavenger, and Junksmith.
linktr.ee/wastelandworkshop

Well I voted For it.

As a CofE (Church of England),with heritic measures thrown in for good measures (have to say Nordic Gods are some I have prayed to in my past with re-Enactment),I think it`s a good idea.

I think in an age where a National religion has been pushed further back,moreso due to Goverments making "Other" religions take precidence,it`s refreshing in whatever measure to have someone willing take this option.

You Look at the US Mililtary today anyway & you pretty much have chaplains for most faiths,so as this is for a future EU Chaplain,why not have him as one who covers most religions rolled into one.

Not saying he`d be decorated in all faiths symbols,though the National one & is there to administer to ALL faiths.

It`s always been a Military tradition to give the poor souls heading into Harms way a blessing,so Hell Why not

Jason

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What ya gonna do when I TECKNO HUG Youuuuu!!



Pvt.
STEAD,J "TECKNO VIKING"
A06/TQ1.0.22140E1

Skype: ulthur1

I said no on the grounds that I find religious functions something that make me very uneasy, personally. The concept of 'prayer leaders' is something I know still runs today (I remember reading a couple of pieces on convoys in Iraq having pre-drive mass and prayer sessions..), but I cannot help but wonder whether religious connotations working their way into what is effectively a costuming group is necessarily a good idea, irrespective of how hollistic and open such things may be.

Prayers on drops seem like something a tad OTT, and cribbing such a thing from the military when they do it in a very heartfelt way to see themselves through combat and make it safely through some truly hellish things seems slightly disrespectful...

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Mmh. I'm starting to wonder if I understood correctly the original idea.

Maverick, are you planning on making a Chaplain-type costume simply, or actually going ahead with leading prayers when we're in group?

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I'm thinking along the same lines Lunisar.
Chaplain costume, no problem with it.
Actively praying at drops.....with the posts above (especially Pete's) I'd recommend against it.

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Chaplain costume:

Fine

This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX03hgf_LcM

Not good



Chris

Not that I really mind the idea of group praying if people are so inclined. I wouldn't join in, that's all. I'm just worried for you it could be wrongly perceived, either by people from our group, or by outsiders.

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i was just thinking for those who wanted to...thats why i started this thread/poll, was to find out if there was anybody interested.

a chaplain-style Marine is a good idea, i just need some info on how to paint my armor (when i get it).

again, its not required for everybody to join, just those who choose to.

and in case nobody's noticed, i never actually swear... even in my sig, i changed into symbols to avoid outright swearing.
i prefer finding altenatives that still give the general emphasis, without actually swearing.
and i left out the "B" word in my image sig on purpose.

so, according to general opinions, just a chaplain costume for now. although if anybody does wish for me to pray for any problems, feel free to ask!

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Squad Leader, 58th Regt., 2nd Batt., "Morse's Marauders" - U.S.S. Azuera
Primary MOS: Rifleman
Secondary MOS: Combat Demolitions

"When the going gets tough, the tough call on the Colonial Marines."

Fair 'nuff. Are you going with the Warhammer 40K - type Chaplain, with the skull faceplate and force Crozier?

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i have no idea what you're talking about...

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Squad Leader, 58th Regt., 2nd Batt., "Morse's Marauders" - U.S.S. Azuera
Primary MOS: Rifleman
Secondary MOS: Combat Demolitions

"When the going gets tough, the tough call on the Colonial Marines."

Games Workshop's "Warhammer 40000" line of miniatures games, PC game and books. Space Marines in there are more warrior-monks / Knights Templars than our own Colonial Jarheads, and the Chaplain is... Well, he's a raving fanatic, really. And since the universe is very gothic, the character is very much over-the-top that way. Two pics:

Concept art:
http://uk.games-workshop.com/spacemarines/painting-chaplains/images/art.jpg

Miniature:
http://www.miniaturespace.net/images/40K/Chaplain%20Derkka/Chap%20front.jpg


So.... Mostly it was a joke, since that would be wholly inappropriate for our marines.

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oh, i see. that's kinda funny!

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Squad Leader, 58th Regt., 2nd Batt., "Morse's Marauders" - U.S.S. Azuera
Primary MOS: Rifleman
Secondary MOS: Combat Demolitions

"When the going gets tough, the tough call on the Colonial Marines."