Air Force Chaplains continue to steal sheep

[alabamaalan]

Umm..it makes the chaplain look like he is sincere in his beliefs and not simply paying lip service to some generic religious idea?

There is a huge difference between reaching out to the unchurched and killing those who do not follow your religious interpretation. No comparison.

 

[wvrevy]

I wonder if it was the chaplain that put the banner in the locker room or told the Jewish cadet that the holocaust was revenge for killing Jesus ?

While I think the attention to the chaplain is somewhat warrented, it is not the be-all and end-all of the problem.

...and when issues of rank enter into the discussion, I'm sorry, but there will be pressure there placed on the cadet to do what he or she can to please their superior officer, be it a higher ranking cadet or a commissioned officer on staff.

Why can't people just leave everyone else alone in their religious beliefs, instead of trying to push theirs down everyone else's throat (which causes a lot of us to gag, in case you didn't notice) ? Worry about your own soul and leave everyone else's alone.

 

[cardaway]

I ...and when issues of rank enter into the discussion, I'm sorry, but there will be pressure there placed on the cadet to do what he or she can to please their superior officer, be it a higher ranking cadet or a commissioned officer on staff.

From another article on the subject...

"Interviews with staff members and cadets must be approved by the public affairs office at the academy, and nearly all students and faculty members contacted independently this week said they were afraid to speak because it could harm their careers. The office denied requests for interviews with the academy's chief chaplain, Col. Michael Whittington, because he was being interviewed by investigators.

One staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity said on Wednesday: "There's certainly an impression that evangelicals here have that the leadership is kind of on their side. And there's a feeling among people who are atheists or people who are other varieties of Christian that the leadership does not really accept them."

Captain Morton said she had decided to step forward without authorization from the public affairs office because: "It's the Constitution, not just a nice rule we can follow or not follow. We all raised our hands and said we'd follow it, and that includes the First Amendment, that includes not using your power to advance your religious agenda."

She added, "I realize this is the end of my Air Force career."

 

[ford family]

I guess I must be missing something? The pastors are not allowed to talk to people about their religion if they know they are not affiliated with any particular religion? I really don't understand what is so bad about them encouraging someone to attend a certain service. If they say no, and then the chaplains continue, then I see a problem, but just to try and talk to them initially?

Am I missing something in the article?

I think you are missing something.
Why should anybody have to listen to an "encouragement" to attend church from a (probably) higher ranking and (probably) older colleague or have to listen to them bang on about their particular brand of religion? They may find it difficult or awkward to say no and end up being browbeaten by somebody who purveys religion for a living.
If you want to believe, fine, knock yourself out. But remember, witnessing is deeply offensive to many people and they should be protected from it.

ford family

 

[MizBlu]

Respect for others is a fundamental principle of the Jewish faith.

Exactly! It is supposed to be in the Christian faith also, but the actions of some makes you wonder.

 

[eeyore kelly]

But remember, witnessing is deeply offensive to many people and they should be protected from it.

ITA!!!

 

[MizBlu]

Quite honestly, I don't believe one of jobs of military chaplains is conversions. I could be mistaken, but I believe tha job of the military chaplain is to minister to all and not to prostelytize. Trying to convert someone, in my opinion, undermines the purpose of a military chaplain.

Once again, the pandering goes on and it's now hit the military. Btw, does anyone know when "herding sheep" became okay in the mililtary code of ethics because I don't think it's always been part of the job description.

 

[Meezers]

Boy did this hit close to home.

I work for a police department...you know...one of those para-military organizations.

Now....just like in the Army...I have to go through this all over again....I am not Christian....I am Jewish...please stop trying to convert me....just leave me alone to worship in my own way.

We have several Evangelical Christians here who feel it is their duty every day to tell me I am going to "h e double hockey sticks"....and this department is small enough that there is no making a formal complaint...ie..it wouldn't get past the Born Again Chief....

I digress....sorry...had to vent there....boy can this message board really touch sore spots!

 

[Charade]

"They say the bad guys we're fighting, the jihadists, represent a theocratic, fascistic movement," Weinstein said. "If the United States Air Force, probably the most technologically lethal organization ever assembled by man, has a policy of evangelizing 'the unchurched,' you tell me how that makes us look."

How does it make us look??

So, they are recruiting the "unchurched". Big deal. They aren't recruiting suicide bombers to obliterate the non believer infidels.

 

[MizBlu]

How does it make us look??

So, they are recruiting the "unchurched". Big deal. They aren't recruiting suicide bombers to obliterate the non believer infidels.

Is recruiting the "unchurched" part of the job description of a military chaplain? Or is the job description ministering to all?

I don't think being a military chaplain should be used to improve one's take tally of "unchurched". A military chaplain, when all is said and done, is still a government employee with defined duties and responsibilities.

And can someone please tell me when "herding sheep" became part of the job description for military chaplains.

There is something very unseemly and disturbing about a military chaplain using their position to prostelytize. If the individual expresses an interest, fine. But, recruiting the "unchurched" to make them "churched" just seems wrong for someone in the position of military chaplain.

 

[bicker]

Well said. It's a disgrace to the uniform, and should be severely punished. How can we expect these young men and women to protect us if we do not protect them from this kind of disrespect?

 

[JPN4265]

The most dangerous thing in the world? Organized religion.

 

[sodaseller]

If they are truly acting Christlike, there won't be a problem. The evidence shows they weren't

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I think you are missing something.
Why should anybody have to listen to an "encouragement" to attend church from a (probably) higher ranking and (probably) older colleague or have to listen to them bang on about their particular brand of religion? They may find it difficult or awkward to say no and end up being browbeaten by somebody who purveys religion for a living.
If you want to believe, fine, knock yourself out. But remember, witnessing is deeply offensive to many people and they should be protected from it.

ford family

Because they are allowed to practice their own religion, which includes talking to others about it. Again, if the person says no, then they should move on. I don't see the big deal with that. Should everybody in the country be banned from ever speaking about their religion then?? Freedom of speech gone right along with freedom of religion?

I wouldn't have a problem with an atheist coming along and saying "I don't believe in a god. Would you be interested in my sharing the reasons why with you?", so I sincerely don't understand why an atheist, Jew, agnostic, etc would have a problem with a CHristian doing that as well.

 

[MizBlu]

Because they are allowed to practice their own religion, which includes talking to others about it. Again, if the person says no, then they should move on. I don't see the big deal with that. Should everybody in the country be banned from ever speaking about their religion then?? Freedom of speech gone right along with freedom of religion?

The job of a military chaplain is not to practice their religion in a military setting, but to minister to all. Why is that so difficult to understand? A military chaplain is a government employee just like every other government employee. When did protelytizing become an acceptable part of the job description of a government employee?

And this is not a freedom of speech issue. This is abuse of power by those who should know better. And that is a big deal.

I wouldn't have a problem with an atheist coming along and saying "I don't believe in a god. Would you be interested in my sharing the reasons why with you?", so I sincerely don't understand why an atheist, Jew, agnostic, etc would have a problem with a CHristian doing that as well.

Whether you would have a problem or not is irrelevant. However, I think you'd have a hell of a problem if your Muslim boss used his position of authority to push Islam on you. Your co-worker may get away with it, but not your boss because they are in a position of authority and they are abusing that authority.

And can somebody please tell when the hell it became okay for military chaplains to "herd sheep".

 

[6_Time_Momma]

The job of a military chaplain is not to practice their religion in a military setting, but to minister to all. Why is that so difficult to understand? A military chaplain is a government employee just like every other government employee. When did protelytizing become an acceptable part of the job description of a government employee?

And this is not a freedom of speech issue. This is abuse of power by those who should know better. And that is a big deal.



Whether you would have a problem or not is irrelevant. However, I think you'd have a hell of a problem if your Muslim boss used his position of authority to push Islam on you. Your co-worker may get away with it, but not your boss because they are in a position of authority and they are abusing that authority.

And can somebody please tell when the hell it became okay for military chaplains to "herd sheep".

Well, I'll back out of this discussion, I suppose because I just don't see in that article where the chaplain's used authority to push religion on people.

Oh well, someday when I have more time and am more awake, maybe I'll revisit and see if I can see how I'm missing it.

 

[Charade]

Is recruiting the "unchurched" part of the job description of a military chaplain? Or is the job description ministering to all?

I don't think being a military chaplain should be used to improve one's take tally of "unchurched". A military chaplain, when all is said and done, is still a government employee with defined duties and responsibilities.

And can someone please tell me when "herding sheep" became part of the job description for military chaplains.

There is something very unseemly and disturbing about a military chaplain using their position to proselytize. If the individual expresses an interest, fine. But, recruiting the "unchurched" to make them "churched" just seems wrong for someone in the position of military chaplain.

I don't find it out of line (or unseemly) at all unless he (the Chaplin) is intimidating the "unchurched" to join his flock.

Apparently, some people find it more (or just as) offensive that a Chaplin is trying to get the "unchurched" to join his "flock" than the recruiting of jihadists for a holy war. Oy!!

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I

Apparently, some people find it more (or just as) offensive that a Chaplin is trying to get the "unchurched" to join his "flock" than the recruiting of jihadists for a holy war.

Personally, I like to try to hold myself to a higher standard than terrorists do.

Military chaplains that take advantage of vulnerable young people in a vulnerable situation like war and protelytize should be removed.

 

[Charade]

Military chaplains that take advantage of vulnerable young people in a vulnerable situation like war and proselytize should be removed.

Possibly but the definition of "proselytize" can mean different things to different people. Just telling/informing the "unchurched" about services that are available is one thing (and *I* don't consider that proselytizing) and berating the "unchurched" about what will happen to them if they don't become "churched" is another. Perhaps you feel differently.

 

[MizBlu]

I don't find it out of line (or unseemly) at all unless he (the Chaplin) is intimidating the "unchurched" to join his flock.

Apparently, some people find it more (or just as) offensive that a Chaplin is trying to get the "unchurched" to join his "flock" than the recruiting of jihadists for a holy war. Oy!!

The job of the mililtary chaplain is not to "herd sheep". It is to minister to all. If a chaplain wants to "herd sheep" they can work for a church and not for the goverment. The military isn't his/her church and soldiers are not his/her flock.

A military chaplain holds a position of authority because of who they are. And "herding sheep" is using that position and that is abuse of power.

And I'd bet dollars to doughnuts (KK, of course ) that no one would be defending a Muslim military chaplain if they were doing the same "herding sheep".