THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE. CASE #1. USS CYCLOPS. PT 1.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

NAME-  USS CYCLOPS.

YEAR LAUNCHED-  1910.

DISAPPEARED, ASSUMED LOST AT SEA-  MARCH, 1918.

SHIP TYPE-  COLLIER.

OWNER-  COMMISSIONED BY U.S. NAVY IN 1917.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

DISPLACED-  19,360 TONS.

LENGTH-  542 FEET.

BEAM-  65 FEET.

SPEED- 15 KNOTS. 

SHIPS COMPLEMENT:  WAR TIME - 236 OFFICERS AND ENLISTED. (NUMBER EXCLUDES PASSENGERS.)

CARGO AT TIME OF DISAPPEARANCE-  MANGANESE ORE.

ALTHOUGH NOT CONSIDERED A COMBAT VESSEL, CARRIED AN ARMAMENT OF 4 X 4 INCH GUNS.

THE USS CYCLOPS is an Intriguing example of a Ship considered to be a "VICTIM" of the BERMUDA TRIANGLE.

WHY?

-  It remains the Largest Loss of Life in the History of the U.S. Navy, in an incident not involving Combat.

-  While the Above Information is now considered Factual, the CYCLOPS Disappeared during WORLD WAR 1, and was at one time considered to be a possible victim of a U- BOAT attack.

-  The Commanding Officer at the time of the Disappearance, LT. COMMANDER GEORGE WORLEY, had a reputation as being an Eccentric and Unorthodox Officer.

-  One of the Passengers during its Last Voyage was ALFRED GOTTSCHALK, the U.S CONSUL- GENERAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO.  It was said that he and WORLEY held views that were sympathetic to GERMANY, at the time at War with the U.S.

-  Since the CYCLOPS Disappeared without a Trace, different Theories have been put forth to explain what happened to her.  They Range from Traditional Explanations that are usually associated with the Loss of a Ship at Sea;  Sunk By A Storm, Engine or Structure Failure, Struck a Submerged Object etc., to the Fantastic and Bizarre; Mutiny, Piracy, Water Spouts, Giant Sea Creatures, and of course the old stand by- UFOs.

-  The CYCLOPS also had Two Sister Ships, the PROTEUS and the NEREUS, that later also Disappeared without a Trace.

So, with this information, lets look at the Legend as it pertains to the BERMUDA TRIANGLE.

Date-  1/8/2015.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. PORTRAITS OF EVIL- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE EVIL? PT 2.

However, let us ask another question: No matter what the source, Secular or Religious, are there certain common characteristics that are Universal in Nature, WHEN DEFINING THE CONCEPT OF EVIL?

There does seem to be Particular Qualities associated with EVIL, and how it should be Confronted, Prevented, or Punished.

1)  EVIL is Detrimental in Nature, with no positive qualities. 

2)  EVIL should be avoided, for no outcome would be considered desirable, if it is employed as a Tool to affect any Course of Action, or Implement Change.

3)  EVIL Must always be Punished, and never encouraged.

4)  EVIL, even if not Identified by name to describe any Action or State of Being, is often Associated with other Words or Terms.  Sometimes, they are used Interchangeably, where the Definition and Usage Mean practically the same thing. 

( A COMMON PLOY BY CERTAIN GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS, SUCH AS POLITICIANS AND ATTORNEYS.  THE REASON:  USING THE WORD EVIL ITSELF MIGHT BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, SO SOMETHING LESS PROVOCATIVE IS USED.)

Along the Same Lines, EVIL might be used as the Antithesis to other Words or Terms, Creating the Impression that its exact opposite is an example of an ULTIMATE GOOD. 

5)  EVIL= IMMORAL.  NO MORE, NO LESS.

6)  EVIL IS CHAOS AND DISORDER, AND AN ENEMY TO PROGRESS, JUSTICE, AND ALL THAT IS "GOOD."

Much of what you read Above is how EVIL IS DEFINED WHEN WE CONSIDER HOW SOCIETY VIEWS IT AS A CONCEPT TO MAINTAIN ORDER, PREVENT UNDESIRABLE SITUATIONS, AND ALLOW INDIVIDUALS THE ABILITY TO MAKE THEIR OWN LIFE CHOICES.

Unfortunately, HOW SOCIETY DEFINES EVIL IS OFTEN LEFT TO THE WHIMS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO EQUATE THEIR PERSONAL DEFINITION, AS THE ONE THAT BEST SUITS SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

Date-  1/4/2015.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. PORTRAITS OF EVIL- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE EVIL? PT 3.

The Way EVIL is Defined, on a PERSONAL LEVEL, is often a Matter of the Degree in which The Individual Places on Their Religious and Spiritual Outlook as a Guide to Behave within Society as a whole.

Now, in a Free and Open Society you have every Right to Think this way.  If your Concept of a Good and Moral Life is Derived from Scripture, or the Teachings of a Revered Individual, then Pursuing the Manner of Behavior, or Lifestyle Guidelines that are part of the System of Moral Instruction are a choice you have the RIGHT TO MAKE.

Unfortunately, it seems that Many Individuals are Incapable, or Unwilling, to Understand the following:

THAT YOUR PERSONAL DEFINITIONS OF GOOD OR EVIL, RIGHT AND WRONG,  OR ANY INDIVIDUAL MORAL JUDGMENT,  MAY BE DESIRABLE FOR YOUR CHOSEN LIFESTYLE, AND GIVE YOU PEACE OF MIND, AND A SENSE OF WELL BEING.  HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THAT OTHERS WOULD ALSO ACHIEVE THE SAME RESULTS, AND FORCING THEM TO ADOPT THE SAME STANDARDS OF MORALITY AND BEHAVIOR COULD RESULT IN DESPAIR, DEPRESSION AND A GENERAL STATE OF MENTAL ANGUISH AND TURMOIL.

What is even more Disturbing, are Those Individuals who Insist that Their Right to Pursue a LIFESTYLE OF OBSERVING CERTAIN RELIGIOUS RULES, AND A DOCTRINE OF SPECIFIC MORAL BEHAVIOR, ALSO GIVES THEM THE POWER TO FORCE OTHERS WHO BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY TO ADOPT AN IDENTICAL MODE OF LIVING.  WHY? 

BECAUSE IT IS EVIL, OR MORALLY WRONG NOT TO DO SO.  TO THEM FREEDOM OF CHOICE IS DEFINED THIS WAY:  YOU CAN CHOOSE TO OBEY THE MORAL RULES OF MY FAITH, OR YOU CAN SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES THROUGH CRIMINAL OR CIVIL PENALTIES THAT THOSE WHO THINK LIKE ME BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED.

However, Just as Some Individual Moral Decisions will Differ From Individual to Individual, ALL LEGAL SYSTEMS must also Adopt a System of Morality that will Enforce and Maintain Certain Standards that those Creating the System believe are Essential to a Proper, Functioning, and Ethical Form of Government.

END OF PART 3.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. PORTRAITS OF EVIL- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE EVIL? PT 1.

Quite a Question, isn't it?  I can imagine asking a Dozen different people, and getting Twelve separate answers. However, lets try and come up with a Satisfactory Definition that could satisfy Social, Cultural and Ethical Guidelines, while at the same time Satisfying the Rules of Logic and Critical Thinking. 

You may have noticed that I Didn't include "Religion'', as a Term that needed to be included in a Universal Definition of Evil. 

WHY?

RELIGION, BY ITS VERY NATURE, IS A SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES FAITH AND ADHERENCE TO SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS THAT EXIST OUTSIDE THE REALM OF THE NATURAL WORLD. 

THEREFORE, ANY SYSTEM OF PROPER MORAL BEHAVIOR THAT IS FOUNDED ON HUMAN REASON AND RATIONAL THOUGHT, CANNOT BE DERIVED FROM RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE.

SO ANY DEFINITION OF "EVIL", BEING APPLIED TO HUMAN BEHAVIOR, MUST COME FROM ELSEWHERE.

This is not a Judgment on whether or not Religious Faith is the proper foundation for finding the Truth about Evil, either the Definition or the Source.  However, Since Ethical and Criminal Behavior, in Practical Terms, must be Judged by Legal Systems grounded in the Physical World, THE "SPIRITUAL  WORLD" is not a VIABLE ALTERNATIVE.

You have to remember Religious Faith, and any Teachings that stem from such Beliefs, which include Any and All Doctrines about Moral Behavior, are not Revelations to be Denied as Untrue, or even Questioned outside the Realm of a Churches Hierarchy.

The Hierarchy is the Established Authority, within the Particular, Recognizable, and Unique Body of Faith Itself, that Interprets Doctrine from Sources considered to be Divinely Inspired. Decisions are then made, and become Part of Established and Recognized Church Law.

LOOK FOR PART 2.