This article in The Washington Times 21 December 2005 issue tries to raise concern over an issue that isn't there.
It seems there's a Navy Chaplain, LT Gordon Klingenschmitt, who's having a hunger strike in front of the White House. He's protesting that he's discouraged from praying in Jesus' name.
With due respect to the Chaplain, I believe he's misunderstood the balance between his duties as a Chaplain and his belief preferences.
Chaplains serve a unique role in the military. They exist to minister to all members of the service, irregardless of a Servicemember's choice of religion, or even choice of non-religion. Chaplains are schooled in the requirements of over 170 belief systems. Whatever their core, or originating faith, they're expected to serve all others. He may be Southern Baptist, for example, but he'll be expected to guide a Jewish Soldier through Hannukah, or a Muslim through Ramadan. Even a Wiccan through... well, I don't know enough about Wiccans to know their ministerial needs, but I'm informed that they are there.
Regulations don't prohibit a Chaplain mentioning "Jesus". It's just discouraged where the audience (say, for example, a mass formation) may be present. When a Chaplain leads a prayer for a Company preparing to deploy, she must remember her duty at that moment is to ALL of the Servicemembers present, not just the Christians in the crowd.
Chaplains are not at all restricted in how they may lead the services for their respective faiths.
Chaplains have difficult roles. They must cover such a wide religious landscape, AND even minister to those who have no religion at all. They provide counseling services, and are often a critical relief valve for those who serve. And most importantly, they do all of this in combat zones where they are un-armed.
Perhaps this Chaplain should realize that in a day and age where people are seeking to eliminate any tie between the church (particularly those wanting to say "Jesus", sir...) and state (as in "United States", i.e. issuer of a paycheck), perhaps it's not best to draw attention to a situation where we have government paid, trained, and endorsed preachers who quite often have captive audiences.
When shining a light, remember the light makes it easier for the enemy to find you, before you see them.
2 comments:
As an evangelical Christian and a service member (Navy) I have to reluctantly agree with you. This Chaplain's job is to minister to everyone, and chances are he gets plenty of chances to pray in Jesus name or even proselytize, drawing attention to this is not a good idea. I don't know about the Army but in the Navy and Marine corps, there is also an enlisted sailor assigned to the Chaplain who is basically his bodyguard, helper, and servant. Navy calls them Religious Progam Specialist, they too have to know all that you mentioned.
You got it right in one. Thanks for writing it up; I hope you get some crosspostings or trackbacks or whatever those thingies are; it's a good note to spread around.
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