Pious Fraud and Necessary Falsehoods

[_Corpsegrinder]

“Killing enemy soldiers is easy.”

“We don’t target civilians.”

“If you don’t like the military you can always quit.”

“Navy Issue shark repellant effectively repels sharks.”

“Your chances of being sent into a combat are slim to none.”

“Drill Instructors are super nice to recruits in basic training.”

“The M4A1 Sherman is the best tank in the world.”

“The M-16 rifle is an effective weapon that does not jam repeatedly in combat.”

“Japanese marksmanship is poor, due to the poor eyesight of the average Japanese soldier.”

“The new M1A1 Recoilless Rocket Anti-tank System (‘Bazooka’) can kill any German tank on the battlefield.”

“Heavy bombers do not require fighter escort over Germany because they can effectively defend themselves against enemy fighters.”

“The Norden Bombsight can land a bomb in a pickle barrel from an attitude of twenty thousand feet.”

“Daytime precision bombardment of Germany’s industrial districts will bring the war to an end within the year.”

“Nighttime area bombardment of German civilians will bring the war to an end within the year.”

“An aggressive offensive in southern Italy will bring the war to an end within the year.”

“The Germans can’t read our codes because our codes are unbreakable.”

“The Japanese can’t read our codes because our codes are unbreakable.”

“The Russians can’t read our codes because our codes are unbreakable.”

“The British can’t read our codes because our codes are unbreakable.”

“Remember your training. It will keep you alive.”

“Pat Tillman was not killed by friendly fire.”

These are examples of pious fraud as it occurs in the military.

I support the military and have a great deal of empathy for individual soldiers, but at the same time I realize that pious fraud is an inescapable component of the military’s mission. It’s one of the ways the military maintains order and discipline, particularly during difficult wartime conditions. Pious fraud is--on rare occasions--a vital necessity. There are times when the military simply can’t do its job without engaging in a degree of pious fraud.

Is the same true for religious faith?

Is pious fraud an integral and inescapable element of religion?

[_Dantana]

I think that possibly, religious leaders *consciously* believe that 'the greater good' is a win at all costs/fudge the truth condition, but subconsciously....every man that has ever been owns the fear in their heart that god, and the soul do not exist. So, is it fraud? Yes.

Thanks for your service in the military CG. I have three boys in the guard. Two have done tours in Iraq.

[_Corpsegrinder]

I have three boys in the guard. Two have done tours in Iraq.

Best wishes for their safe return, tana.

[_ludwigm]

pious fraud is an inescapable component of the military’s mission

Agree.

I was there 39 years.
Fortunately, not at the field. (OK, there was one 18 month mission - I am not authorized to reveal, even after... many years, even as pensioned)

[_Corpsegrinder]

pious fraud is an inescapable component of the military’s mission

Agree.

So why do you suppose it’s so much easier to spot pious fraud in a military organization than in a religious institution?

True believing Mormons, for example, are generally blind to pious fraud that exists in Mormonism, but are very good at spotting pious fraud in Mainstream Christianity.

Mainstream Christians, on the other hand, are very good at spotting pious fraud in Mormonism, but are generally blind to pious fraud that exists in Mainstream Christianity.

[_EAllusion]

I don't think it is inescapable, but I do think many religions' theologies, if taken truly seriously, set up a situation where lying for the lord is extremely seductive.

[_Corpsegrinder]

Religiously motivated individuals who can resist so seductive a temptation are, in my opinion, extremely rare.