Religion in the fire Department

[joeldijkema]

Hi i was just wondering if there are any religious firefighters and if your religion helps you deal with the stresses and the people that you have to deal with in the job. Or does the events that happen make it hard because of your religion? I am 19 and just finishing the pre-service fire course at Cambrian college. A great great course up here! And i was wondering if i might expect that my beliefs as a christian will help me deal with stuff and allow me to help others deal with things that happen. Also will it help in relationships with co-workers in the department or does controversy erupt over beliefs? This is a huge thing to me and i would greatly appreciate any feedback, by people in any or no religion. Thanks aloT!!

[DoubleHelix]

My experience wasn't too extensive but my time at the hall I noticed religion is probaly the least talked about subject. The subject did come up the odd time but it wasn't more than a sentence or two. With any job its a judgement call. If the person you're talking to is interested then have a discussion but I personally hate it when people shove religion down your throat when its not wanted.

[KootenayTrue]

Like they say everyone believes in god when you are in the fox hole getting shot at or in any situation where you have to battle for your life, but ya I agree..religous stuff isn't the most popular topic nowadays, its depends on the the person 100%, however I feel that most dudes deep down are driven spirtually and that is what often sets the truely top notch guy apart form the ordinary stiff....like my neighbor or that damn banker!!!lol You gotta have a sense of wanting to make this place we call our home a better place and leave our mark on it when its all said and done.

Nuff Said

[Hally]

been around the hall and it isnt somethign that comes up often. But somethings are around without being said.

[FLASHOVER05]

I was wondering if and when this subject will ever come up, I am not a praticing Catholic, However series of events in my life have made me beleive that there is a higher power than ourselves... I never preech the word of God because to me I feel it is too conflicted, also since I have come into contact with numerous beleivers of several other religions I have come to respect their feelings on the Issue, I went to public School and a Catholic school. The Latter showed me that there is a God and that He Loves us all equally, however, the former has taught me not to "shove it down people's throat's". The ulimate Religion out there belongs to everyone, it is the beleif that we can all beleive in something that is good:)

[dentedhead]

I think you will find that most are quietly believers.This may appear contrary in some of the conversations that occur in a firehall they are often not very christian and quite blue!I have yet to see anyone ostrasized for their beliefs or denomination.

I think its fair to say that a crusader is universally disliked in all facets of society.I personally have more respect for those who live their life by the golden rule than those who try to preach it to anyone within earshot.Or those who feel that they must tell a group that what they are doing is offensive or "against my religion".

I usually sum it up this way when anyone starts with their religious doctrine.I dont care who you pray to,vote for or sleep with thats your personal choice and none of my business.If the polite approach dosent work I am very capable of being much more blunt about it!

Dentedhead

[Toxic]

I am catholic but not really a good one I guess. I know right from wrong but I'm not big on going to church. However if religion is going to help to deal with some of the awful things you will see in the fire service then go with it. Just be careful not to make the other guys uncomfortable.

For me the best way to deal with some of the awful stuff is to talk about it with the guys at the hall. They really will become your brothers. We're not talking deep therapy kinda talking though - Inevidably it will end up with a joke that would by anyone outside the E/R community to seem crass, hearless and rude. But it defintely does help.

People deal with this stuff differently. I had a chief whom I suspect got a lot of support from his wife. Not all wives will understand though. I've known some guys who couldn't talk to their wives too...

[Firefighter1680]

I have had a few discussions through the years about my faith, but I never shove it in anyones face. If someone has a question for me thats great, but your right that it seems to get quiet in the room if "religion" gets talked about!! :) I dont want anyone to think, i think better of myself, because im no diff..

There are tons of ways to deal with everything that goes on I think for me the faith just helps me realize I can't control everything in the world, and there are things ill never change, no matter how hard we try. Definatley get to know the gus you are working with, you will be surprised how close you can get as brothers, and how it helps to talk!!!

[joeldijkema]

I really appreciate all the replies, that were given it has helped me with some things. I agree totaly with all of you guys! especially you Firefighter1680. You pretty much summed up the way i feel about it also, i will not even attempt to shove anything at people but if they are coming to me i will whole heartedly help them. I have not lived long in this world but i have already dealt with the problems of sharing religion to people and how they react, and from what i see it is no different in the fire department, which makes sense. Using my faith and the belief there is a god and i have been saved, it helps me deal with my death, but it almost hurts me to see people without faith (which is alot of people) dieing and for them in my eyes not goin to a good place. I hope i didn't preach to anyone, and thanks alot for the replies!! I can't wait to join the brotherhood and develop such close bonds as you guys probably have. I hope to hear some more discussion about this, this is my first post and it has gone really well! thanks alot again!

[Kearley]

but it almost hurts me to see people without faith (which is alot of people) dieing and for them in my eyes not goin to a good place.

Almost hurts you? Others belief almost hurts you? Minds being so closed that they feel pity towards those who don't believe the same annoys me. The biggest reply I get to me being athiest is "you must believe something" and yes I do believe something. I believe in the hard work of myself and others. I believe it is someone's will which puts them where they are, and I don't blame anything for my faults, and I hold my head high for my achievements. If it is a belief in a "higher power" that gives that person that will, be it false or not, so be it. But as I've said to my friend, who was surprised at my morals while being atheist, I said... "If you found deffinitively that theology is false, would you suddenly change to immorality? change who you are?" She said no.
I wasn't going to mention anything, but it is the missionary mentality of having to rescue someone's soul and show them the light which gets under my skin. Even if you don't try to convert me, it is the line I quoted which shows me, you look at me differently.
I mean no offence to this, just an observation. You seem to be a straight up guy.
Thanks Brother.

[FLASHOVER05]

I will also have to disagree... I would never feel hurt because people are not going to a better place, as far as I know this better place doesn't exsist... I feel that there might be a better place, but doesn't mean is really there. What is heaven, or Nirvana or whatever you wish to call it.... But I know that we will all go somewhere

[Whitewater_419]

I will also have to disagree... I would never feel hurt because people are not going to a better place, as far as I know this better place doesn't exsist... I feel that there might be a better place, but doesn't mean is really there. What is heaven, or Nirvana or whatever you wish to call it.... But I know that we will all go somewhere

I'll tell you what, folks: No matter what you believe with regards to what happens when it's time for us all to head to the big Fire Hall in the sky, I'll meet you there in my own good time and have a beer with you, with my dog at my side (She's already there, waiting for me :)

[joeldijkema]

I think i was a little misunderstood, im just posting the way it feels to me, not trying to enforce anything on anyone. It doesn't "hurt" me but since my beliefs are what they are, they go the other way and i feel bad for them thats just me the way i am. Everyone else has thier beliefs and im sure there is goin to be some heated comments and i take no offence to them. And thanks for all the posts though its good to see peoples opinion about things dealing with religion, since it is usually steered away from. Thanks agian!!

[dentedhead]

I think i was a little misunderstood, im just posting the way it feels to me, not trying to enforce anything on anyone. It doesn't "hurt" me but since my beliefs are what they are, they go the other way and i feel bad for them thats just me the way i am. Everyone else has thier beliefs and im sure there is goin to be some heated comments and i take no offence to them. And thanks for all the posts though its good to see peoples opinion about things dealing with religion, since it is usually steered away from. Thanks agian!!

What makes anyone think that because their theological leanings differ from mine that I dont have the same chance at eternal salvation as them.I treat people right live my life as per the tenets of the church and state, although I dont regularly attend worship or pray does that mean I am a soul to be damned?

This is the sticky point of religion I alluded to In my initial response. If people of all faiths would just live and let live realize there are different strokes for different folks and adhere to the let ye without sin cast the first stone philosophy,It wouldnt be the touchy subject of discussion it always degenerates into!

Dentedhaed

[BillyBlazes]

Personally I do not believe in any religion (cult) I do not need to be told by some other man how to live my life, how to dress, what to eat, etc. Religion seems to be the main thing that seperates humans from each other because of the differences in each faith or religion on how to live. I try to believe that there maybe some supreme power or whatever but it is hard in this line of work some days. The suffering and inhumanity that we see it is hard to believe that something that is suppose to love us would allow this to occur. I love my two children very much but that last thing that I would like to see is them suffer.
How many wars have been fought and how many people have died all in the name of some person's religion! I hate this!!!

My department has two chaplains that come to our stations and respond to our calls. They do not push any religion on us they are compansionate shoulder to lean on and our a big help with the EAP program. We had a major explosion with 7 people killed and total demolition of a 4 unit two storey building. The chaplain would be the hand on the shoulder to check on us during our digging through the rubble with a bottle of water.
Just my two cents worth!!!

[resqteacher]

We have a Baptist Minister on our department. In fact we all just call him "Preacher" - other than the nickname, you wouldn't know he is a man of the cloth. He doesn't push it on anyone and it's nice to know he is there if anyone had an issue they felt like discussing with him.
I'm a fairly religious guy and so are a few others on the department - but it's something we leave at home usually. I believe that it is the way you live your life everyday of the week that makes a difference - not where you happen to spend Sunday morning.

[wilderness]

Religeon.....Sure there is a superior being....god if thats what you want to call him,i believe those who are good will be reward, and those who are bad will be punished.....Now if i,m on a call and i,m sucking my last breath and my light is about to go out, my mind won't be with God but, with my wife and kids.....
They are what matters most to me.......

[dentedhead]

Religeon.....Sure there is a superior being....god if thats what you want to call him,i believe those who are good will be reward, and those who are bad will be punished.....Now if i,m on a call and i,m sucking my last breath and my light is about to go out, my mind won't be with God but, with my wife and kids.....
They are what matters most to me.......

Well said!I couldnt agree more.

Dentedhead

[bestcoast]

I don't consider myself to be a religious person by any means, but our department has a chaplain that does department funerals etc... He stops by the halls and goes on ride alongs with us. He doesn't preach to us and trys to be just "one of the guys" when he is visiting the halls and doing ride alongs(we do try to tone down the F bombs). He wanted to see what we deal with on a regular basis and try to get to know the guys. I have no problem with him being around, he is a great guy and provides a service to the members and is available 24/7 to whoever needs him.....BC...

[bestcoast]

I don't consider myself to be a religious person by any means, ..
Mind you I do pray alot when we flip for dishes....BC...

[BCFFFV]

I would say that in most fire dept.s it would be a little tough being a Christian. I would say that if you get hired you could obviously let people know you are a Christian. But after that you would pretty much have to keep your mouth shut and not comment on EVERY un-Christian thing you may encounter. Even the most rowdy fireman can still respect you if you believe something but they don't want to hear about it at the meal table etc.

[joeldijkema]

Thanks for everyones replies again, and BCFFFV that is what i was lookin for thanks alot!! Everyone have a good day! Snowin up here in sudbury today but almost done school so im happy, thanks alot again!

[dentedhead]

Thanks for everyones replies again, and BCFFFV that is what i was lookin for thanks alot!! Everyone have a good day! Snowin up here in sudbury today but almost done school so im happy, thanks alot again!

Good luck in your quest for the job too BTW.

Dentedhead