Christian Democrat calls on Congress to respect atheists in the military

[rug]

By Eric W. Dolan
Sunday, June 16, 2013 12:27 EDT

Rep. Robert Andrews on Friday (D-NJ) implored his fellow lawmakers to support an amendment to the annual defense spending bill that would allow nontheistic chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“Nothing in this amendment in any way impairs the relationship between a Christian or Jewish or other soldier or service member and his or her faith leader,” Andrews, an Episcopalian, said on the House floor. “Nothing.”

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) offered the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014. The amendment would have allowed humanists and other nonbelievers join the Chaplain Corps. Polis noted that Buddhists were already allowed to become chaplains, though Buddhism was generally considered a nontheistic religion.

- snip -

Republican lawmakers, however, balked at the notion of atheist chaplains. They argued it was absurd for an irreligious person to be given an overtly religious position. The amendment was defeated in a 150-274 vote.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/16/christian-democrat-calls-on-congress-to-respect-atheists-in-the-military/

1:19 video at link.

[cbayer]

1. Good for him, but too bad it was voted down.

I think they are making a mistake here by not allowing non-religious "chaplains". Particularly since mental health services may be shunned or difficult to access by military members who are struggling.

Chaplains do a lot more than just pray over someone.

[rug]

2. His point about the stigma of seeking mental health treatment goes to the heart of this.

The republicans' control of the House is a human disaster, on this and a hundred other issues.

[DreamGypsy]

3. Other countries recognize the need for humanist chaplains...

...from Wikipedia, Military chaplain:

A military chaplain ministers to military personnel and, in most cases, their families and civilians working for the military. In some cases they will also work with local civilians within a military area of operations.

Although the term chaplain originally had Christian roots, it is generally used today in military organizations to describe all professionals specially trained to serve any spiritual need, regardless of religious affiliation. In addition to offering pastoral care to individuals, and supporting their religious rights and needs, military chaplains may also advise the executive on issues of religion, ethics, morale and morals. They may also liaise with local religious leaders in an effort to understand the role of religion as both a factor in hostility and war and as a force for reconciliation and peace.

Military chaplains normally represent a religion or faith group but work with military personnel of all faiths and none. Some countries, like the Netherlands and Belgium, also employ humanist chaplains who offer a non-religious approach to chaplain support. Groups such as the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, support the idea of such chaplains.

The MAFF website (link just above) provides some great arguments, like the mental health comment, for chaplains to consider the needs of non-theistic service members. For example, from their Dear Chaplain 'letter'

Dear Chaplain: This page and the assistance we offer is outreach to help you help military personnel who seek a secular approach and a nontheist community. While MAAF has run into chaplains interested solely in spreading their own ideas or just doing a Sunday service for their own denomination, we have confidence that that is not the norm and that chaplains in general are sincerely interested in providing support to all service members on the terms of that service member. We’re here to help with information and materials. You know there are nontheists in your unit. Do they come to you for help? Would you really understand their position and community enough to point them in the right direction? Let us help you. Just as importantly, let us show our community that chaplains are willing and able to support atheists and humanists.

<snip>

The following statement is the core of the MAAF Chaplain Outreach Program and is intended to be a minimum standard of commitment to equal treatment of all service members as well as respect for religious diversity within the military. Chaplains are invited to sign this statement as a way of overcoming misconceptions about religious discrimination within the Chaplains Corps. This perception of discrimination relates both to chaplains against nontheist service members as well as intolerant chaplains against chaplains who want to be supportive. Signing onto the statement can help to overcome both perceptions. Service members can invite Chaplains to sign this statement as a sign of respect to those of all beliefs. MAAF also offers to assist chaplains in reconciling with nontheistic service members or commanders who may be intolerant of chaplains due to religion. Chaplains and chaplain offices are invited to publicly show support by contacting MAAF. MAAF equally seeks feedback from any chaplain unwilling to sign on for any reason.

Nontheistic service members including atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, and others identifying as nontheists serve honorably within our nation’s military. Chaplains should support nontheistic service members with the same enthusiasm, resources, and services that they provide for theistic service members. Leaders should not use their position to influence individuals or the chain of command to adopt the leader’s own personal religion. These are minimum standards of conduct to which all service members, especially chaplains and commanders, should adhere.

Good to know there is a group out there working on this problem.

Thanks for the post, rug.

[LostOne4Ever]

4. Sorry I don't have a military background

nor does my immediate family.

I think adding a humanist chaplain sounds fine and the part about not wanting a mental health stigma makes absolute sense. However, given that the repugs are being idiots as usual, isn't there a Unitarian chaplain non-believers could use in the meantime or do they not have them in the military?

[rug]

5. They do.

Once a rarity, UU military chaplains increasing

The growing number of UU chaplains reflects sea change in UUA’s relationship to the military.
By Donald E. Skinner
Spring 2013 2.15.13

http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/280936.shtml