Christianity and Cannibalism?

Christianity has come to dominate many aspects of western civilization, for example in the pledge of allegiance which students recite daily, and even dating back to manifest destiny. Despite its popularity now, this was not always the case as Romans viewed it as a threat to the stability of the empire. The Romans’ fear of Christianity was valid due to the fact that Christians had seemingly cannibalistic tendencies and went against many of the traditions and customs. Furthermore, due to their suspicions, the Romans were justified in trying to stamp out a religion that threatened the Roman empire.

As Christianity began to diverge from Judaism and become its own religion, the Romans did not take notice of this and often thought of the Christians as atheists because they did not worship the emperor. There were also problems with the ways in which Christians worshiped things that were not on earth. To the Romans, this was directly undermining Roman citizenship and a willingness to serve in the army as well as threatening the power the Empire held over its people. With this in mind, it seems clear that the Romans felt the need to put an end to a religion that would have caused mass chaos. By allowing Christianity to perpetuate without attempting to stamp it out, it would have seemed as though the Romans were allowing destabilization and were willingly giving up power. Romans also thought of the Christian practice of communion as cannibalism because the win and wafers represented the blood and body of Christ. In a letter to Emperor Trajan, Pliny is obviously shocked by some Christian practices writing about how they “bind themselves by oath, not to some crime, but not to commit fraud, theft, or adultery, not falsify their trust, nor to refuse to return a trust when called upon to do so.” He goes on to say “the contagion of this superstition has spread not only to the cities but also to the villages and farms. But it seems possible to check and cure it.”(Pliny, Letters 10.96-97) The negative words/connotation of the words Pliny uses makes it clear that Christianity is not wanted and that they are actively trying to get rid of Christians. The lack of understanding between the two religions made it difficult for the two to get reasoning behind certain customs and beliefs. The Romans actions seem more justifiable if thinking of the Christians as am imposing threat so it is valid to say that the Romans had a legitimate fear of, and desire to get rid of the Christians.

The Christian religion at the time would have seemed so different and drastic. Pliny’s words reflect how uneducated he was about the religion, but also how unwelcomed Christianity was at the time. Seen as a threat, the Romans were justified in attempting to stamp it because of its perceived threat to the stability of Roman empire.

-Carina Richardson

Word Count: 426

(Pliny, Letters 10.96-97)

Sun Tzu at the USNA

The overarching theme of Sun Tzu’s Art of War is the use of deception in order to defeat stronger armies and conquer the enemy. Sun Tzu emphasizes when planning for battle a commander must master opportunity. There are many little things a leader must consider in order to deceive the enemy such as should appear far when near and avoid a strong enemy. Ultimately, the culmination of the little elements of battle prepares an army to “attack when [the enemy] is unprepared” and to “appear where you are unexpected” (Sun Tzu, 1).

Sun Tzu’s ideology on how to conduct war is seen in two ways at the Naval Academy. The first and more direct way the idea of deception Sun Tzu emphasizes so much is seen is in academics. In multiple classes, the battle of Midway is a common example of how the power intelligence in planning can provide in deception on the battlefield, ultimately allowing the less superior America Navy to defeat the Japanese fleet. At the battle of Midway, American intelligence personnel were able to discover the position of the Japanese fleet before the battle. Using the advantage of intelligence the Americans gained, the American admirals were able to lead the Japanese to believe the American fleet would be away from Midway when the Japanese planned to attack. Therefore, when the Japanese tried to take Midway, the American fleet was waiting and as a result destroyed three aircraft carriers. The lost of three carriers drew a huge tactical defeat to the Japanese.

The second example of Sun Tzu’s ideology is the dynamic of being a midshipman. A common saying at the Naval Academy is in order to do the big things right, one first has to learn how to do the little things right. As a midshipman, there are often many little tasks one is responsible for at any given time. In order to correctly execute each task, attention to detail for the little things is required. By being exposed to an environment where attention to detail is necessary, when one commissions, they will be able to identify subtle pieces of information that could shift the winner of a battle.

Ultimately, the best strategy in war is deception. Deception allows for the most effective use of a limited number of resources. The best example of limited resources still being useful is the battle of Midway. Deception also requires extensive centralized planning. The centralized planning is based on attention to little details and demands a professional commander. Deception gives one the advantage based on prior preparations.

Mark Rogerson 411

Cult of Christianity

Xenophobia is something that every civilization has experienced throughout history. This is something that many cultures, religions, and ethnic groups have faced, including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. Growing up in the US, many of us are raised in a Christian community, with many people never questioning their religion and acting like Christianity is a global norm. However, before the 3^rd century, the Romans did not trust the new Christian religion and its people in their empire. From the Romans perspective, Christians were bringing blasphemous religious views, strange foreign lifestyles, and, as Pliny describes to Trajan in a letter, “depraved, excessive superstition.” It’s not fair to judge the Romans harshly when the Christians were bringing a religion that drastically differed from their lifestyle, and offended their own religious views; Romans had reasonable justification to oppose the strange, foreign Christian religion.

In regards to lifestyle, Christians were trying to drastically alter the Roman way of life. This is something that will never go well regardless of which cultures/religions/nations we’re discussing. Imagine if the conservative treatment of women in Iran was brought over to Sweden, it would certainly be met with backlash, and vice versa. Ancient Rome had many practices that are obscene or offensive in a fundamentalist Christian point of view, such as pederasty, homosexuality, and prostitution. Men with spouses usually engaged in these practices, which went against Christian teachings. Although there is misogyny in the Bible (like in Tim. 2:12, in which women are not permitted to “assume authority” over men), the book also commands men to “love [their] wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Eph. 5:25) It is clear to see how this would anger many Romans, especially when these new ideas would be coming from a bunch of “depraved” superstitious people.

To the Romans, who practiced polytheism, Christianity was blasphemous. From a Roman point of view, the worship of a single god was bizarre and essentially made them borderline atheists, as they rejected all the other Roman gods. Today in the United States, religious tolerance is a hot topic, as many people in the country are islamophobic, and disrespect many other religions. I’d like to think that our culture is far more sophisticated and civil than ancient Rome’s, and we are, as we don’t publicly execute those who have differing religious views; however, the prejudice that some Americans have against foreign religions is the same feeling that the Romans had against Christians to an extent. The Romans circumstance was a bit different because religion was part of their laws, unlike American separation of church and state. In the Roman Empire, Christians were breaking the law and offending the Roman people’s beliefs.

Although many of us today attempt to preach and practice tolerance towards others, it is unfair to judge the Romans harshly when we possess over a thousand years of hindsight. To the Romans, the Christians were an obsessive cult that drank the blood of a zombie Jewish man. Lack of understanding and xenophobia were two factors that led to the Roman persecution of Christians, two factors that are observable today when a culture is attacked. The Christians are partly to blame, as their lack of awareness and considerations of the Roman’s beliefs led to them appearing as blasphemous and as an overly zealous, invasive religion. Analyzing the history of Christianity shows us that there are many other perspectives in the world, which lets us break free from a strict, Christian perspective that makes people less tolerant of other cultures.

-Kevin Smith

Word Count: 571

Art of War or Battlefield Autocrat?

In the popular sci-fi novel Ender’s Game a small group of teenage strategic masterminds command massive swarms of mindless ships and crews in order to defeat their enemy in space. Although interesting, having command over a mindless force seems to be an idea limited to science fiction and video game simulations. However, Sun Tzu’s Art of War goes into detail about warfare of that exact nature. In his works, he outlines how an army should function, and how warfare should be conducted in Ancient China. Laozi, one of Sunzi’s contemporaries echoed his views that “one who is adept at defeating the enemy does not engage him”(Laozi 68). It is extremely costly in economic and human terms, and the ideal means of victory is to subdue the enemy without engaging them at all. But when two forces do engage in battle, the sole actor responsible for the performance of the army is the commander. The troops are to move as a mindless horde and directly follow the orders of the commander which are to be constantly shaped to the tide of battle.

Although these strategies were very successful in Ancient China, they are nearly polar opposite of what we are taught here at the United States Naval Academy. Here we are taught that as leaders, the most important thing is to know and care for the people you are leading. Treating those below you as mindless robots goes directly against the relationship-based leadership we have been preached since I-Day. The biggest advantage of our fighting force lies in our diversity and the wide range of different skills and life experiences sailors and marines bring to the table. Although orders have to be followed in most situations, a questioning attitude is encouraged at many times.

In pure theory, Sun Tzu’s philosophy in Art of War is extremely effective. If the commander is a strategic genius, then they will have full control of the battle, and like a chess grandmaster, will be unstoppable. However, for the culture of a military and its role in society, it is vital that warriors are treated with respect and dignity as real people. When the high up leadership fails, it is vital that warriors can think for themselves with a hierarchy of lower level leadership in order to take the tide of battle into their own hands. In modern warfare, and even ancient warfare, it is vital that forces are not dependent upon the decisions of a single leader, therefore USNA teaches us a much more viable style of leadership to be used as future officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.

Word Count: 436

-Ben Stanish

USNA and Sun Tzu: The Common Parallel

The Common Parallel

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is one of the most read and studied military doctrines that has withstood the test of time. Sun Tzu’s overarching philosophy is the idea that preparation means the most when it comes to developing the military, and, when the time comes for war, one should only enter battles in which they can win, with certain factors paving the path for victory. Paralleling Sun Tzu, the Naval Academy, subconsciously, teaches similar techniques that are intended to prepare one for future endeavors. With centuries of trial and error, this has proven to be the most effective way to run the Academy and the best way to prepare midshipmen for the real world.

Sun Tzu continuously stresses how important it is for one to be prepared; essentially, the one who is most prepared will come out on top. Although Sun Tzu is speaking about actual battle, this idea of always being ready is something that is taught through one’s time at the Academy. From the minute we get here, we are expected to pay attention to the little things and, in a sense, pursue perfection in all aspects. As a result of this, when one graduates, they will be diligent in all efforts and not allow for any mishaps. According to Sun Tzu, “Defeat belongs to the side that scores least in the temple calculations before battle” (Sun Tzu 4) – if one does not prepare, then one cannot expect to come out victorious. By the Academy preaching this, it will help drill this ideal into our minds so that, when the time comes, we are capable leaders. This is extremely effective as it begins to shape one’s way of thinking, making pursuing excellence a habit rather than a task.

The next major point covered is the idea of only entering battles that one has the capability of winning. At first, I viewed this as reasonable and something that the Academy does not teach us. In fact, the Academy often prides itself in pushing people’s boundaries and making them be uncomfortable, which contradicts what Sun Tzu was referring to. But, after second thought, I arrived at the conclusion that the Academy does follow this ideal just in a different manner. By making midshipmen uncomfortable and forcing them to expand their horizons, it is, inadvertently, making one ready to always have the capability to succeed. There are few scenarios where one can always be certain in their ability to win but, with the right tools, there are few scenarios where one cannot be confident enough in their ability to win. Essentially, the Academy is making one prepared for the adversity that will be faced in the fleet, and by pushing our limits, our minds will be sharp enough to overcome these obstacles and succeed. It becomes a mindset that one develops after countless failures but still being able to make it through. In relation to Sun Tzu, “The skillful Warrior avoids the keen spirit attacks the dull and the homesick; this is Mastery of Spirit” (11), he claims that one’s mindset should be prepared for the dark times and know how to deal with these situations. This will provide one with the edge to be confident in any conquests in life, especially in battle.

Despite the many flaws that one may view the Academy to have, especially as a midshipmen, the Academy does a fantastic job in instilling Sun Tzu’s ideals to prepare us for when our time comes after graduation.

Pablo Loza

Word Count: 549

Sun-Tzu, The Art of War. Trans. John Minford. London: Penguin, 2009.

Blog #4: Sun Tzu and USNA

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu’s advises military leaders to win wars by fighting smart. Like our military, he emphasizes a core set of values, efficient fighting, and victory by any means. His idea teaching align with those of the Naval Academy, especially his emphasis on winning wars with as little cost as possible.

Sun Tzu is in favor of winning through planning, strategy, and flexibility as opposed to brute force. He provides Five Fundamentals to consider in planning: “The Way, / Heaven, / Earth, / Command, / [and] Discipline.” (Sun Tzu 3). In defining these principles, he stresses unity among troops, balance, and clarity. According to his teachings, if you know yourself and your enemy well enough to assess these qualities, you can determine who will be victorious. Once you have this knowledge, he explains how you can develop a plan, then leverage any advantages you have. Particularly, Sun Tzu favors the deception, saying “The Way of War is / A Way of Deception.” (Sun Tzu 6). In battle, knowing enough and planning in advance to be able to deceive your enemy is the best way to secure victory. Strategy is so important in Sun Tzu’s methods that he says that “Ultimate excellence lies / Not in winning / Every battle / But in defeating the enemy / Without ever fighting / This is the highest form of warfare / Is to attack / Strategy itself.” (Sun Tzu 14). If you deceive then surprise the enemy, you can attack him while he is weak and off-guard, ensuring the most favorable odds for your troops. Once engaged in battle, Sun Tzu emphasizes being capable of fighting and disciplined to make rational decisions in order to adapt to change; to “master / The stratagem of / The crooked / And the straight.” (Sun Tzu 43). In being the smartest, a commander can set his troops up to be the strongest in battle, in order to ensure victory.

The Naval Academy teaches similar values to Sun Tzu. Midshipmen are required to take a variety of classes, be professionally competent and be well educated in order to be able to think critically in order to develop strategies. We have to take “professional knowledge” tests on information on our military’s capabilities as well as those of our enemies to ensure that we fully understand the situation. As well, we are taught to value Honor, Courage, and Commitment, so that we all have clear, common core values in order to be united. In this, it can be seen that almost all of the things we are taught can be connected to one of Sun Tzu’s teachings.

While the Naval Academy and Sun Tzu are separated by thousands of years, their teachings are remarkable similar. While they may be similar because the Naval Academy may have been influence to Sun Tzu, it is a testament to the wisdom of Sun Tzu’s teachings that they are still applicable in a world that has changed significantly.

-Hanna Prince

Word count: 431

Sun-Tzu, The Art of War. Trans. John Minford. London: Penguin, 2009.

“Art of War” and USNA

Art of War is Sun Tzu’s creative text on military strategy and leadership. He divides his writings into three main over-arching philosophies. The first idea being the proper entry into war. Tzu outlines the danger of war but also mentions the beauty of what can come of it: wisdom, integrity, discipline, and courage. He presents questions and statements that hint to the importance of not only having a strong army, but also having proper training, having the ability to fight, and having clear punishments or rewards. Tzu’s first chapter can be summed into one simple statement: only enter into war when you know you can win.

Tzu’s second portion discusses the importance of strategy in war, “ultimate excellence lies in not winning every battle, but defeating the enemy without ever fighting. The highest form of warfare is to attack strategy itself” (Tzu 15). Ultimately, this section makes the argument that strategy and advantage over the enemy is the most important part of war. At USNA, this applies heavily. Time and time again midshipmen are expected to keep up to date in world dilemmas, technology, and foreign affairs in order to educate themselves about possible military threats. More specifically, USNA requires Cyber Security classes simply because of the advantage cyber warfare can give over the enemy. Ultimately, these examples play heavily into developing strategy and winning over the enemy.

Tzu’s last section focuses on the importance of leadership and application in war, thus applying closely to the lessons taught at USNA. In these passages, the focus is leadership of your men, or in other words, suggestions about how to be a proper leader. “He confronts chaos with discipline; he treats tumult with calm. This is mastery of mind’ (Tzu 45). This is just one of many quotes that closely describes the lessons leadership taught at USNA. Specifically, it is well known that midshipmen receive much training on the mastery of leadership styles that all must include proper management of emotions and responses such as discipline. This is the moral development of midshipmen.

Tzu describes the mastery of strength by proper management of closeness, ease, and resources. This is closely related to the physical mission of USNA. A leader must be able to meet exhaustion of sailors and marines with ease, thus they are required to be in top physical condition. Moreover, a leader is expected to use any type of resource last in order to ensure that leader maintains enough of that resource for his or her men and women, closely relating to Tzu’s description of meeting “hunger with plenty.”

Word Count: 429

-Brandon Gore

Sun-Tzu, The Art of War. Trans. John Minford. London: Penguin, 2009.

The similarities of Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” and USNA

The title of the Poem, “Sun Tzu’s Art of War”, gives insight into Sun Tzu’s viewpoint of how war should be approached with caution, believing that war is a delicacy. War is a term that is generally is associated, with havoc and chaos, however, Sun Tzu describes it as an “art” referring to a systematic approach to fighting. He realizes the importance of war, concluded that if the approach of war was handled properly than many benefits can be reaped. Sun Tzu, comparing war to art, demonstrates his conclusion that fighting should be approached in a systematic way, attention to detail. This belief is supported by his approach to war, relying heavily on preparation and using one’s intellectual abilities to maximize the capabilities of the force to get a favorable outcome. This assumption is supported by fighting “smarter and not harder”. The results of war can change tremendously in response to the actions both during the war and in the preparation of war. He states, “Victory belongs to the side / That scores most/ In the temple calculations/ Before Battle” (Art of War), which emphasizes not only the use of tactics and organization while the middle of fighting, but is about the preparation before the battle that signifies the results.

The first lesson that Midshipmen learn when indoctrinated into the Navy is “attention to detail”. The foundation of plebe summer is to develop the discipline to put equal effort and care in every aspect. This is shown in Sun Tzu’s approach to fighting as he believed that every aspect of war was equally important and could impact the final result. He employs that the formula of war is simple if the necessary steps are taken in every aspect of the battle. Sun Tzu says, “Follow the advantage,/master the opportunity:/this is the dynamic” (Art of War), emphasizing that actions should be done to maximize advantages. This promotes the idea that every action has a purpose and as a result should be done with that intent. This can be compared to the jobs plebes are required to do, such as squaring corners and chopping. Although as tedious as they may be, they serve as a distinctive purpose.

Sun Tzu’s mindset on war is similar to the values of Midshipmen as they learn and prepare to become officers who are in charge of leading others in war. Throughout both our time at the Academy, we experience that the outcome of situations is highly dependent on ones thought, actions, character. Because of the importance of being not only competent technical areas such as Engineering courses, but we are required to take many courses throughout our time at the Academy including Leadership and Ethics and Moral Reasoning which serve to expand for the Fleet when we are put in real life situations. Each class hones in on a different skill or region of development in order to prepare to become the best officer in the Navy. I think in many ways the two philosophies, that of Sun Tzu, and the Naval Academy, are very similar and are effective in their ability to focus on the real purpose of something in order to reap the absolute benefits.

-Caroline Foley

Word Count: 500

Sun-Tzu, The Art of War. Trans. John Minford. London: Penguin, 2009.

“Christians Are Scary” -Roman Elites

The Romans were justified in their fear of the early Christians, as the Christian faith usurps an integral part of Roman society: its social stratification. The Romans adhered to a hierarchical social system in which varying levels of power were associated and legally denoted to individuals of higher standing within their community. Christianity, via the very nature of the religion, tends to contrast with the Roman ideas of weighted importance of singular individuals.

The tale of Christ, as presented in the Bible, accounts for Jesus’s affinity for the poor and those of lower social standing. The first people to be granted to the knowledge of his birth were lowly shepherds outside Bethlehem walls. The first people to hear of his resurrection were a group of women. The people he surrounded himself with were a collective of tax collectors, zealots, thiefs, and fishermen, professions of which did not lend themselves to be recognized as people of power, influence, nor respect. Jesus’s recognition of these types of people in the Christian faith as not only individuals who may practice Christianity, but critical to the success of the religion, inspires a movement of equality with regards to people of all social standings. However, this directly contrasted the rigid social structure of the ancient Romans. Those who were in power, namely the patricians, used the plebeians as a workforce and convinced many plebeians to follow them as patrons in return for protection. If a religion that boasts social equity were to become widespread, then the very power the patricians had created would be stripped away by a deity.

Furthermore, the Christians’ inflexibility contrasted the syncretic nature of the Roman religion. The mystery cults of the Roman era were often enveloped into the mythology of the Roman religion because the polytheism of Roman mythology allowed for it. However, it was important to note that this interaction between the cults and the Roman religion was swayed in the favor of the Romans, as the mystery cults’ faith would become a part of the Roman mythology and thus adhere to the homogeneity of Roman culture. Religion is a means of maintaining order as it controls the thought and moral basis of those engaged with the religion, and therefore using the symmetric nature of the Roman mythology as a means connect with other faiths, allows the Romans to influence the morals of those of different faiths. Pliny remarks that “For I had no doubt that, whatever the nature of their creed, stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy surely deserve to be punished” in regards to the Christians he has met (Pliny, 10.96-97). The Christian inability to be flexible is cause for alarm for the Romans because it creates a situation in which conflicting morals are present within a society. Successful nations or empires are successful because there is a common goal or ideology that is adhered to by the populous. The counterculture of Christianity within Rome does not adhere to the common goal of Rome, and thus may be deemed dangerous by the elite.

The counterculture’s dangerous nature further expands when the symbols of Christianity are viewed. The death of a god on a cross did not align with the Roman connotation of crosses with the poor or criminals. The assertion that Christ was God and King undermined the power of Caesar. The equity of all people undermined Roman social hierarchies. Christianity was a threat because it was a religion for the poor.

-Jackson Garber

Words: 574

Pliny, Letters 10.96-97

Art of War at USNA

Art of War at USNA

In Master Sun Tzu’s Art of War, he breaks down the levels involved with being a successful leader in battle. Master Sun’s philosophy promotes being well rounded in all aspects of war. Obviously you should be a skilled warrior, but a leader should have the mental fortitude to visualize the wide spectrum of warfare. Rather than, physical confrontation between warriors. In connection with Sun Tzu’s belief that the key to victory involves being well round the United States Naval Academy believes in a similar philosophy. Midshipmen are to be well rounded scholars, athletes, and military professionals. The educational identity of the school associates all students, no matter what major, have a background in science, technology, engineering, and math. Also the students are required to talk multiple humanities course in for students to think creatively.

In Master Sun’s five fundamentals he list; the way, heaven, earth, command, and discipline. Out of those 5 fundamentals, 2 of them, command and discipline, are taught in some of the Naval Academies sacred text Master Sun states, “Command is wisdom, integrity, compassion, courage, severity.” At the Naval Academy and in the United States Navy the core values are; honor, courage, and commitment. Honor and integrity work hand in hand as guidance for how someone in the navy should carry themselves. An officer should make sure the full truth is known at all times. Additionally an officer should hold themselves at the highest ethical manner when using judgement in stressful situations. For example Lt. Michael P Murphy was given the chance to kill 2 farmers who stumbled across his team in the Middle East. In fear that the 2 farmers would tell local Taliban fighters about their positon. In an act of integrity he choose to let them go, because they were innocent farmers. Unfortunately, the farmers did inform the Taliban about their position and Lt. Murphy lost his life in result of that honorable decision. Discipline involves organization and the chain of command. It is engraved in our brains that a midshipmen should not jump the chain of command. The chain of command is put into place for organization and to define the roles of everyone involved.

On a humorous note the way of war is taught to midshipmen the day they enter Bancroft Hall. The war involve midshipmen and the 4 legged creatures that run wild in Bancroft. Master Tzu labels the Way of War as a way of deception. In the war to element mice in our rooms Midshipmen go to lengths to deceive their smaller opposition. For example on the desk put a rule of the side of your desk with peanut butter on the tip. After the ruler is balanced until a single touch will make it fall, place a bucket with water under it. This trap will lure the mouse on to the ruler and strike chaos when they fall in the bucket. The next morning the mouse will be placed outside in the dumpster.

Master Sun’s philosophy as a whole is effective and the connections in USNA philosophy benefits Midshipmen. The benefits allows them to be well rounded leaders prepared to lead sailors and marines into battle.

-Denzel J. Polk

Word Count: 539