Everyone religious and non, how do you feel about the US having military chaplains?

Question

I don't know how I feel about it, to tell you the truth I don't know much about it. I'm not sure if they send people of all sorts of religions, or only a limited scope. I'm just thinking about this because I have a friend who is a military chaplain and sends update emails.

I think it's nice that we have them, and most certainly helpful, but I'd think more people would get up in arms about it because of seperation of church and state.

Answer 1

If there is an Establishment Clause problem, I think we should find a way for the military to continue to have chaplains without causing that problem. Perhaps their salaries could be paid through donations, for example -- I'm sure more than enough people would be willing to support that cause.

I think they are probably helpful to soldiers.

Answer 2

I'm a Christian pacifist. However, if one is going to join the military for whatever reason, then he or she should have the full right to exercise whatever religion (or non-religion) they like. That's where the chaplains come in. It's not as if you can dart down to your local house of worship when you're in the middle of a war. The chaplains, as I understand it, are expected to be conversant about religions other than their own, and can help people of varying faiths. I feel that anybody of any belief should be allowed to practice that belief openly, whether in the U.S. military or elsewhere. Same for non-belief. The chaplains might also just be there for anybody to seek advice from, regardless of religious beliefs. So I think it's a good idea. I know that if I were in the military, I would want to have a chaplain available. In my religion, taking the Holy Eucharist is very important, and I would want to be able to do that, regardless of where I was.

Answer 3

Most chaplins "are" a certain religion, but have training or at least a backround in general relgion. They have access to other religion. I DO think it's important. These men and women give thier all and sometimes that can take a serious toll on a person. I think if they need some soul food then it should be available. For some, last rites or the equivilant is really important. Knowing you face death on a minute by minute basis can make you crave religion. They have the right to that. And there are men of God who WANT to serve thier country. Why not kill two birds with one stone so to speak?

Answer 4

I think they're needed, because many need the hope that they find in religion in order to gather the courage to perform their jobs. Not all do, but a large majority are of that mindset. Technically, it's a violation of church & state, but I'd rather have them there than not. Putting your life on the line is not a natural thing to do, especially for something that you had no part in starting and no hope of ending. Gathering the courage to go on despite your own worries isn't easy for everyone. Some need the courage that comes with thinking God will protect them.

Edit: there are chaplains of multiple faiths. Some are even trained in multiple faiths so that they can render services to many different groups of people while not offending others.

Answer 5

The U.S. Military Chaplains Handbook contains information on various religions including Wicca.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_usbk.htm

Answer 6

Considering the ammount of pressure people are put under in military jobs, I don't think we can say enough good about the chaplains. They're there to help everyone, regardless of religion.

Especially considering how hard it is to get psychological treatment, many service members find the chaplains to be the only people they can go to for advice and support.

Answer 7

I have no problem with military chaplains. I would never begrudge the men and women serving my country the spiritual help they need in the line of duty. They endure intense physical and mental hardships, spill their blood and lay down their lives for our country --- you and me. The spiritual and psychological turmoil endured is great and the faithful find a refuge in their spirituality, faith, and their Deities, if any. They are in situations where they need their faith more than ever. U.S. military chaplains serve over 100 faiths. It is a service not exclusive to Christianity. That may have been the case initially but is no longer true. Government is prohibited from establishing any religion but they must also make no law prohibiting the free exercise of it. If complete inclusiveness of all faiths are allowed it is not establishment. ***freedom of religion, not freedom from religion***

Answer 8

Don't ask civilians. Ask the soldiers dying every day in combat if they want chaplains and ministers and pastors and priests and people in general praying for them. I bet every soldier that you ask that knows the horrors of war will say please pray for us.

I promise you one thing when a soldier is in harms way he will pray and call upon God and he will not care what you think!!! He doesn't want you, he wants God to help him. He knows he needs something greater than you and he will beg for a chaplain to pray with him. And if you get in his way at that particular moment he just might shoot you.

Don't mess with the US military and you'd better give them everything they need - guns, chaplains, food and whatever!

A Christian knows that God is their protection and a Christian knows that 2 gathered together in the Lord's name that He will be there also. A soldier doesn't want you, he wants God and a good chaplain praying with him.

Don't start telling our military what they can do and what they cannot do when it comes to God. You are already asking them to give their life. You have no right. It is not your place to choose what the military want. If you are a civilian, you don't have a dog in the fight so to say. So it is not your decision. Have I made myself clear????

Answer 9

Wanted to point out one thing - Military Chaplains are not exclusively Christian. You do have Jewish, Buddhist, and Islamic "chaplains" and i do believe i've heard of one or two people trying to become Daoist chaplains.

As for having Chaplains in the military? Why not? They provide other services besides spiritual anyway.

Answer 10

No problem. The military has religious people too. They deserve a chaplain. They also have other religious leaders in the military not just chaplains. Sometimes they get sent to places that don't have any religious access. I'd rather have them be able to have access to a chaplain, then have them worrying about God in a foxhole instead of their job/duty.