rtm@rabbit.UUCP (08/02/83)
Sailors who ply northern waters, particularly fishermen, often neglect to learn to swim because they feel there is no chance of living in 50 degree water, and swimming around after falling off a vessel would just make death take a little longer. Does anybody know whether this is unChristian? I seem to remember sayings about never giving up hope, but could that be impractical when actually put to the test?
mam@rabbit.UUCP (08/04/83)
I don't whether or not sailors not learning to swim is unChristian. Christ does encourage us not to give up hope, but at the same time, his edicts should be mixed with common sense. I don't think that it is unChrist- ian not to learn to swim if you are a fisherman on the Georges Bank. If you fall into the water there, you will not survive the experience, so it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference whether or not you can swim. On the other hand, if you are stationed in Florida, it would be silly not to be able to swim. So I guess it depends on the circumstances. Don't give up the ship! Meredith Morris rabbit!mam