SPIRITUAL COMFORT -- A CLOSER LOOK AT BATTLEFIELD CHAPLAINS

[sybo59]

"military who denies a person to worship freely, is a disgrace"

I already addressed this.

"essential to unit morale"

Not to be vulgar, but prostitutes would also boost morale. Should citizens pay for this service (as they used to)? You should have seen the smile on Johnny's face!

Morale does not supersede the US Constitution. Mission accomplishment comes 1st (weather you feel like it or not; morale doesn't count here). 2nd is troop welfare (not hookers and pizza, but down time, food, etc.).

[sybo59]

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."

I see no problem with having counselors (though I certainly wouldn't have them taking up MREs and water, "knee deep in the action" without guns). I also wouldn't stop personnel from praying, doing a rain dance, or howling at the moon on their own time. You do not need to justify to me just how tough and dedicated you are, or even how much comfort you provide, but why tax dollars should pay for religion.

[flyingscience]

For the first time in US history atheist soldiers had to be sent home to protect them from US theist soldiers who threatened them for not attending prayer services .Religion breeds a hate unlike any in the world !

[tankerfa1]

need them. i was

recalled and removed from national guard by "rifting method".

there was a 40 k re-up bonus that i was eligable for yet csm dittulio

and csm mongomery (allegedfly)were jelious to point as to order sfc

parnic not to re-enlist me. god b less america

Sincerely,

Mr. Edward Gallagher

77 Forest Ave

Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819 2316

(802) 748-9015

[adamwigginss]

im about to be doing this in the air force

[eliteknight5]

yes

[tylerpharaoh1989]

The guy at 1:46 is our unit's Chaplain

[sybo59]

How can the government employ religious figures? This is bullshit.

[RebelRay]

Why can't the government employ religious figures?

[sybo59]

Well it's a pretty clear breach of the church/state barrier. Tax dollars should NOT be going to pay their salaries in my opinion.

[adamwigginss]

shut up!!!!!!!!

[sybo59]

Shut up? Clever retort. You people claim to be patriots but clearly don't really care about the constitution.

[pc1716]

@sybo59 As one in the Chaplain Corps, we offer Religious Support, 95% more than our own beliefs. Chaplains main role is not a Chaplain. It is a counselor. If a Soldier wants to talk about religion then the Chaplain is available for that as well. We don't go out and shove Jesus, Islam, Buddha, or Jehovah (4 recognized religions of the Chaplain Corp, not to be confused with the recognition of Army Religions) to Soldiers. We are their Moral, Spiritual, and Religious Supporters.

[sybo59]

@pc1716 I'm sure you're a great guy, and passionate about your job, but I have seen these things pushed. Here's the problem I have: If your main role is that of a counselor, and we take the 1st Amendment to be legitimate, why not just hire professional counselors (or make this an MOS), and let personnel discuss religion amongst themselves, and seek religious guidance on their own terms?

[pc1716]

@sybo59 We have many different type of counselors, we outsource to civilians, and Mental Health Professionals, but Chaplains are qualified to counsel. In order to be a Chaplain, you have to have a Masters in Divinity, and many go on from there and have Doctorates. If you wanted to talk about Religion, or beliefs wouldn't you want to go to a spiritual advisor? Well the Military provides that in the Chaplain Corps, Just like we offer JAG officers, and MP's, and many other specialty MOS's.

[sybo59]

@pc1716 You're not addressing the core of the issue: Constitutionality.

As an aside, comparing your job to JAGs and MP's is silly. Those provide proper, necessary functions of a military force. A military can't function without your two examples, and to infer that the same is true of "spiritual" guidance is to disgrace the many unbelieving infantrymen who've somehow managed.

Trust me that my aim here is not to offend; as I said, I can tell you're very passionate about your job.

[pc1716]

@sybo59 I am passionate, because I serve, and serve others in the Military. When Downrange, I'm knee deep in the action. The core issue you have is the freedom OF religion, not the Freedom From Religion. 11B (Infantryman) is not the only MOS that deals with Combat Stress. 89D, 68W, 13B, even 92A, deal with stress. We are one of many sources of comfort to those who have spiritual needs. If you ask a Muslim who is dealing with stress, to see the Imam, they probably will.

[pc1716]

I'm not offended. To say that a military who denies a person to worship freely, is a disgrace. Even if it is the freedom to not worship. I remember one time, a company was about to go on patrol, and the Chaplain decided to hand out the ammo. The unit morale shot up, and the smile on the mens faces was contagious. Many men would ask "Please pray for me, Chaplain", therefore I will say that again, The Chaplain Corps is essential to unit morale, and welfare of it's Soldiers.

[sybo59]

@pc1716 Personal experience doesn't have anything to do with this discussion, but since you shared your anecdote, allow me to offer a one of my own:

You're on a Marine FOB in Helmand Province. Supply is behind, and MREs are rationed to -at most- one a day. Water is gone -- the company is slowly trying to filter the scummy water running through a stream.

[sybo59]

@pc1716 Cont. You are a grunt, patrolling day and night. You've just come back from a firefight with the Taliban; famished, thirsty, and mentally drained. You see your unarmed Chaplain in his spotless flack jacket eating happily. Your morale fails to soar.

[pc1716]

@sybo59 We advise the Commander on Religion in the area, the effect of the enemies beliefs, because we are the subject matter expert.

[sarasolo]

I want to help I am going to look into this

[dr2sky]

tHIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT FOLKS!

[sybo59]

About what? Unnecessary capitalization?