I am interested in all religions and their interpretations of the bible (or their holy books). My folks have a poster that explains how every major religion of the world has some form of "Love thy neighbour as thyself". I have heard many preppers talk about how they would be fine killing anyone who would envade their land with thoughts of stealing their provisions. There is even someone on National Geographics "Doomsday Preppers" who is burying pipe bombs to rid himself of any interlopers. I would find it easy to defend my family even if it meant killing someone. But, if we start killing our neighbours who are only desperate to feed their own families are we not just perpetuating the type of mindset that has put our world in the precarious situation it is in that makes us feel that we need to prep.
In my prepping I am trying to consider what I can buy that might help my neighbors too. Like a hand pump for my well, a hand grinder with extra parts so I can share.I am going to buy more vegetable seeds than we will ever need. I have also thought about ways to bring my neighbors together-maybe with a "stone soup" so that those that can contribute will and the hungry ones can join in also. There will be some that have few provisions, but have skills or abilities that others are willing to trade food for. And maybe there will be times when we have enough to "pay" for their services even if we really didn't need them-just to help out.
I know there will be people who haven't a clue how or interest in being self-sustaining and will expect others to provide for them, and just like now I will not have no patience for them. And hopefully by not letting others in on how many provisions we have, I will be spared from having to shoot them some night when they come stealing.
This might seem right off topic to some, but to me it is my "religion". My parents taught me that religion wasn't what I talked about, but my actions towards others. I saw them save money for something they wanted only to give it to someone whose house had just burned down.
I am not naive, I am taking my gun courses and plan to buy a few for protection. But, my sincere hope is that by carrying one around and letting whoever is listening know that I target practice (they will hear the shots with no tv's turned on) that I will not have to take any hungry peoples lives.

thanks for giving us your perspective, it's refreshing to hear about your interest in reaching out to help others as well. Remember, the Lord can multiply our meagre provisions if He sees fit. This will no doubt be a test of faith for all of us who strive to share our provisions.

I worry about being put in a position of choosing who will eat or not according to who I am willing to share my food with. But, I believe that by having enough seeds to share we can help others to not need hand-outs. And as one prepper I read about put it-it would be good to have the good-will of our neighbors after we have helped them. Safety in numbers and a few less desperate people.

I also worry about sharing my supplies, I don't want to be foolish, I don't want to be selfish, I will need to ask the Lord to help me be prudent and do as He wills me to do.

As I've said before, underlying the multiple crises we are facing with everything from weather extremes, terrorism & violence, financial collapse, ecological disasters, unscrupulous greed, bizarre and dangerous perversions & obsessions, is the basic age old reality of sin. Mine, yours, ours. This is first and foremost a Sin Problem. And when you hide in that bunker or that bug out location, it's going to be there with you... Until we are purified of our sin and are really striving to ammend ourselves, there won't be any real lasting relief.

As I've said before, when you hunker down with other preppers, there's going to be slackers, there's going to be some dipping into communal supplies, there's going to be some flirting with someone elses' partner, some hypochondriac types, some insolent teens, some know-it-alls vying for power, and some working to undermine their authority. If someone gets kicked out of the group, they become a greater liability, might bring others back to plunder the goods... That might lead some to say that undesireable people need to be eliminated altogether for the safety of the group...

The sin problem will follow you to your bugout location. We need radical conversion first and foremost. We might all die, but our soul lives on... where it will be depends on our decisions.

Martha you remind me of Oscar Wilde. "I would never be a part of any group that would have me as a member". I guess we can all hope that should the world end, it will be because of the christian rapture. Then the radically converted won't have to worry about the rest of us. Seriously though, I really don't see how your line of thought is helpful in any way. The cure you are proscribing is worse than the disease you have identified. We haven't had "radical conversion" since the crusades and inquisitions. Another example of christian love I suppose. For me, I will take my chances with the sinners under the guidance of Prometheus.

Antsy

good luck

good prepping - we will make our own luck

Martha you started this thread with the statement "I really don't like controversy or contention" an excellent approach. There has been some good and meaningful discussion. Then you post thoughts like: "The sin problem will follow you to your bugout location. We need radical conversion first and foremost". Do you not think statements that extreme and off the wall are not controversial?

Antsy has a valid point in that line of thought is not helpful in any way. Furthermore it has everything to do with religious belief and nothing to do with prepping. In your post you use the terms you and we not I. Rather than relating a personal experience you are projecting your beliefs on to everyone else. Many people take offence at that approach.

In God we trust, Everyone else, F... off. Thats as Spirtual as I will get. I believe in God and only God. All are sons and daughters of God. Some are more Enlightened, but in the end their teaching are distorted or edited to serve TPTB. Praise God, Praise Allah, Praise all that is GOD. 😐

Ah Ranger,

It's like the renaissance and enlightenment never happened. I guess I will just have to F#@$ off then. One question though; if, in the end, all of your profit's teachings have been distorted to serve other ends, and those teachings are already over 500 years old, what makes you think what you have been taught from an early age even remotely resembles the author's intentions? While praising all that is god, please don't forget Prometheus. 😉

Antsy

Prometheus (Greek: Προμηθεύς) is a Titan, culture hero, and trickster figure who in Greek mythology is credited with the creation of man from clay and the theft of fire for human use, an act that enabled progress and civilization. He is known for his intelligence, and as a champion of mankind.[1]

Gospel of Thomas...81 [77]. Jesus says: "I am the light which is on them all. I am the All, and the All has gone out from me and the All has come back to me. Cleave the wood: I am there; lift the stone and thou shalt find me there!"
As the Hippies use to say, "Be at peace with nature, and be with God"

Fantastic...

A fantastic message, if you don't agree fully, well... take what you agree with, leave the rest. If you do like it, please let me know, by a private message if you prefer.

http://www.markmallett.com/embracinghopetv/archives/591

Watched the video. The only useful comment was that it was common sense to set aside some provisions for an emergency. I am always weary of people who claim to sense what God is saying. In the end he is just trying to sell fear taking advantage of and preying on people's fears. Would I donate as requested? Not a chance.