'Known Unto God' under threat! (1 Viewer)

[Jack]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national...l-reverses-decision-on-unknown-soldier-s-tomb

Are people just getting dumber or am I just getting older and less tolerant? At least they made the right decision in the end.

 

[Rob]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national...l-reverses-decision-on-unknown-soldier-s-tomb

Are people just getting dumber or am I just getting older and less tolerant? At least they made the right decision in the end.

Nope, you are right mate, people getting dumber. As you say right result in the end.

Rob

 

[waynepoo]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national...l-reverses-decision-on-unknown-soldier-s-tomb

Are people just getting dumber or am I just getting older and less tolerant? At least they made the right decision in the end.

Yes people are getting dumber and you are older but less tolerant? Traditional yes. I have no problem with it if they had changed it, can't see for the life of me what is wrong with it being the atheist I am. But the old way is traditional so leave well enough alone.
Wayne.

 

[theBaron]

Are people just getting dumber or am I just getting older and less tolerant? At least they made the right decision in the end.

Jack,

• People are getting dumber (political correctness is a form of stupidity)
• You are getting older, but
• You are not getting less tolerant, many others in the general population are

And I agree with Rob, the council made the correct decision.

Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

Jack,

What makes you think people were ever smart. This is just the same amount of imbelicity we have seen in the past and will continue to see in the future. The only difference seems to be that bad decisions, thanks to developments in communications, are known much faster than they used to be.

Why they decided to remove the inscription is "known only to God."

Brad

 

[Napoleon1er]

I think "Known Unto God" can and does have meaning even to an atheist (like I kind of am.) It sates that while we do not know who this hero is, God (or substitute any greater power you like, such as "history" or "posterity") knows his deeds and will honor him.

 

[Scott]

I can't see changing something that was done when most people used that term. Less and less people people do nowadays. (Praise Hitchens)
One can appreciate the sentiment as an artifact of the time. The religious message was well meant as a briefer and poetic way of stating the truth plus it shows the society that we care for these unknowns.

 

[Mitch]

I wonder, if its less important what is written on these memorials than ensuring that what they stand for is remembered? certainly seems an argument for that

Give a person a position where they can try and change something in order they can feel somehow they will themselves be remembered when they are insignificant and, we will get such stories. Expect more of the same as these are not isolated as these people surface and jump on the opportunity to be involved in the 100 year event looms closer
Mitch

 

[Rob]

I think "Known Unto God" can and does have meaning even to an atheist (like I kind of am.) It sates that while we do not know who this hero is, God (or substitute any greater power you like, such as "history" or "posterity") knows his deeds and will honor him.

Very well said indeed. I have seen these words Known unto God on a thousand graves all along the Western Front and they never fail to move. These unknown warriors do not lie alone but surrounded by their fallen comrades and friends and I think your words are spot on , God/History/Posterity will know of their deeds and sacrifice.

In the words chosen by Rudyard Kipling in every British War cemetery and always close to our heroes;

'Their name liveth for evermore '

Rob

 

[Martin Tabony]

I don't think it matters whether we are believers or not. I doubt the unknown soldier was an athiest.

Martin

 

[Scott]

I don't think it matters whether we are believers or not. I doubt the unknown soldier was an athiest.

Martin

We will never know for sure.

 

[Scott]

My own view is that it is wrong for modern people to change or "tag" monuments and graves of long dead people with our views and culture. The dead of WW One lived in a world where their gods were a way of uniting them for solidarity and sacrifice.

 

[Jack]

My own view is that it is wrong for modern people to change or "tag" monuments and graves of long dead people with our views and culture. The dead of WW One lived in a world where their gods were a way of uniting them for solidarity and sacrifice.

I was just returning to type something along these same lines. Although he was reinterred in 1993, long after other countries had made their arrangements, our unknown soldier was from a society that was far more religious in nature than modern Australia. The society that shaped him, loved him, sent him overseas and mourned his loss was, by and large, religious in outlook. It is appropriate that the wording reflects that.

Turning from the religious significance, modern language just cannot cut it when it comes to articulating great ideas.

Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

You just won't read that kind of language in a text or on Facebook.

 

[larso]

I like the original. Keating spoke very well that day but the language of the Bible is on a different plain. I've been wondering though what the modern vernacular would offer as a substitute? - 'Here lies an absolute Legend', or maybe 'An awesome guy!'.

 

[Rob]

I like the original. Keating spoke very well that day but the language of the Bible is on a different plain. I've been wondering though what the modern vernacular would offer as a substitute? - 'Here lies an absolute Legend', or maybe 'An awesome guy!'.

Yes or ' This guy is like, a real Hero ' ! :rolleyes2:

Rob