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Evidently, your spiritual health is unimportant to the Navy if you don't belong to one of the 'approved' religions. Sucks to be an atheist in the Navy, no spiritual guidance for you.
No ‘atheist’ chaplains, lawmakers tell Navy
Posted from navytimes.com
Religion
Chaplain
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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Chaplains are by definition of the Department of Defense, "Religious Ministry Professionals." (See DOD Instruction 1304.28.) Since atheists do not adhere to a religious belief how can they serve as chaplains. They simply don't meet the DOD definition of a chaplain. However, currently serving chaplains are not here just for those who believe the same way we do. In the Navy Chaplain Corps we talk about our four core capabilities which are: Provide, Facilitate, Care, and Advise.
We "Provide" for those of like or similar faith. As a Southern Baptist pastor, I provide evangelical protestant worship services. I can also provide weddings, funerals, Bible study, etc. for those of similar faith.
We "Facilitate" for those of different faiths. If a Catholic, or a Muslim, or Jewish, or a Buddhist comes to me wanting a place to worship I can give them a room, find worship materials, or put them in touch with another chaplain or a civilian religious leader who can provide those services. However, I can't provide them because I am not a priest, imam, rabbi, etc.
We "Care" for all. Anybody can come to us for counseling no matter their faith, or lack of faith, and know that anything said to the chaplain is 100% confidential. You don't have to believe like I do for me to talk to you and I'm not going to try to force my faith on you. I ask everyone that comes to me what their faith background is so that I know how to approach the counseling. I don't care if you're a Baptist, a Methodist, a Pastafarian, or an atheist, if you're struggling with something and need someone to talk to, I'm here.
Lastly, we "Advise" the command on moral and ethical issues.
We "Provide" for those of like or similar faith. As a Southern Baptist pastor, I provide evangelical protestant worship services. I can also provide weddings, funerals, Bible study, etc. for those of similar faith.
We "Facilitate" for those of different faiths. If a Catholic, or a Muslim, or Jewish, or a Buddhist comes to me wanting a place to worship I can give them a room, find worship materials, or put them in touch with another chaplain or a civilian religious leader who can provide those services. However, I can't provide them because I am not a priest, imam, rabbi, etc.
We "Care" for all. Anybody can come to us for counseling no matter their faith, or lack of faith, and know that anything said to the chaplain is 100% confidential. You don't have to believe like I do for me to talk to you and I'm not going to try to force my faith on you. I ask everyone that comes to me what their faith background is so that I know how to approach the counseling. I don't care if you're a Baptist, a Methodist, a Pastafarian, or an atheist, if you're struggling with something and need someone to talk to, I'm here.
Lastly, we "Advise" the command on moral and ethical issues.
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They can see a psychiatrist or some other mental health professional. There is nothing "spiritual" they need help with. They think they are just an evolving blob of cells with no soul and no after life etc. Not sure what a Chaplain would be educated in to deal with atheist that a physiatrist could not manage for them already.
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LTC David Brown
LTC David Brown - the IRS was suing them for $1.5 million and the suit where she tried tried to steal a $15 million dollar estate. The IRS seized and sold O’Hair’s property got back taxes. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1999/08/16/madalyn-murray-ohair-once-the-worlds-most-famous-and-most-famously-hated-atheist-disappeared-in-1995-along-with-two-of-her-children-their-whereabouts-are-still-a-mystery-the-police-think-they-were-murdered-but-so-far/af462e55-3d9f-40e4-9ebf-f9cd0de854eb/
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LTC David Brown
Capt Gregory Prickett - You seemed to indicate a superior moral system I wonder how such a premiere atheist failed? Oh, I guess we all have clay feet to quote a Biblical reference.
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SGT Michael Thorin
You know my faith Capt Gregory Prickett, I think I have spoke to you about my faith in God.
That being said, my first thought was “Why would an atheist who does not look at things through a spiritual point of view need spiritual counseling?”
I thought about it and it was a fairly simple answer: Wiccans used to be laughed at and told that it wasn’t a religion so much as it is a group.
Now, the Air Force spent over $80,000 to provide a pagan and Wiccan outdoor worship site to allow them to practice their faith.
What is so wrong about recognizing this as it’s own faith? It may take a while to establish what that chaplains responsibilities will be.
I’m a Christian and proud of it. However, we Christians have forgotten that more than anything, we are supposed to love and treat others with respect.
Many times when it comes to other faiths, i see us shunning and treating those with hostility.
If we as Christians really believe Jesus would have cursed a person out because he didn’t believe they had any place at the table, then those who believe this is justified need to read the life of Jesus again for understanding.
He treated all with love. This is the only way Christians will make a dent in this world.
That being said, my first thought was “Why would an atheist who does not look at things through a spiritual point of view need spiritual counseling?”
I thought about it and it was a fairly simple answer: Wiccans used to be laughed at and told that it wasn’t a religion so much as it is a group.
Now, the Air Force spent over $80,000 to provide a pagan and Wiccan outdoor worship site to allow them to practice their faith.
What is so wrong about recognizing this as it’s own faith? It may take a while to establish what that chaplains responsibilities will be.
I’m a Christian and proud of it. However, we Christians have forgotten that more than anything, we are supposed to love and treat others with respect.
Many times when it comes to other faiths, i see us shunning and treating those with hostility.
If we as Christians really believe Jesus would have cursed a person out because he didn’t believe they had any place at the table, then those who believe this is justified need to read the life of Jesus again for understanding.
He treated all with love. This is the only way Christians will make a dent in this world.
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SGT Michael Thorin
I gotta day, if I were to ever doubt my faith, then I’ll be the first to admit that a religion that worships a large bowl of spaghetti with meatballs and marinara might give me hope. LOL
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