What would an atheist chaplain do?

[BvBPL]

ATC had a story this evening about a dude that wants to become the US military's first atheist chaplain.

What would an atheist chaplain do? Can an atheist chaplain minister to the spiritual needs of troops without betraying his own spiritual (non)beliefs?

Can we expect the religious troops to accept an atheist chaplain as their minister?

Should the US Military mandate that all officers get down in a foxhole to ensure this doesn't occur?

For what it's worth, the motto of the Chaplain Corp is "For God and Country."

ATC.

 

[gangleri2001]

 

[warpus]

A chaplain is not a religion or philosophy specific post, right? So you could have a buddhist chaplain.

Some buddhists are atheist, so you could have an atheist chaplain.

Couldn't you have a humanist chaplain either?

 

[Rashiminos]

Athiest is not the same thing as non-spiritual. I imagine such a chaplain would be working with soldiers pondering their duties in ethical and philosophical lights.

 

[JollyRoger]

I don't see why disbelieving in one more god that most of the rest should be a disqualifier.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

I believe he should be called psychologist then...

 

[Smellincoffee]

Spirituality and ethics are not, despite frenzied attempts to the contrary, a monopoly of religion. A chaplain versed in Greek philosophy, for instance, could draw on Stoicism to offer guidance or succor to a distressed soldier.

 

[caketastydelish]

What would a fundamentalist Christian scientist do?

 

[FriendlyFire]

What would a fundamentalist Christian scientist do?

Medic

 

[caketastydelish]

I wonder how that would work out. I've talked to some of these people that apparently believe men and women have a different number of rib-cages just because of the adam and eve story. When people believe such things, how effective would they be as a medic?

 

[Formaldehyde]

Until I read the article, I thought he was trolling the military. But this individual is just as qualified to be a Chaplain as many others, perhaps even more so.

Enter Jason Heap, a 38-year-old graduate of the University of Oxford, and of Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. Heap was born in Houston and raised in Philadelphia as a devout Christian; he was licensed as a Christian minister in Texas, and, ultimately, lost his faith.

"To thine own self be true. I left it," he says.

Besides, as the article explains there are already humanists serving in this role in the Dutch military and at Harvard, Stanford and three other universities.

Shame on the bigoted US congressmen who recently included an amendment in a military spending bill to specifically restrict it so he cannot serve in this capacity.

 

[MilesGregarius]

What would an atheist chaplain do? Can an atheist chaplain minister to the spiritual needs of troops without betraying his own spiritual (non)beliefs?[/URL]

Just as easily asked:

"Can a Protestant chaplain minister to the spiritual needs of troops without betraying his own spiritual beliefs?"

"Can a Roman Catholic chaplain minister to the spiritual needs of troops without betraying his own spiritual beliefs?"

"Can a Jewish chaplain minister to the spiritual needs of troops without betraying his own spiritual beliefs?"

"Can a Muslim chaplain minister to the spiritual needs of troops without betraying his own spiritual beliefs?"

And on and on...

 

[warpus]

Yeah, isn't that the whole point of a chaplain? A non-religiously specific spiritual person to help out people of whatever faith or lack of it?

So what the F is this thread about and why is my time being wasted!??

 

[Rashiminos]

Yeah, isn't that the whole point of a chaplain? A non-religiously specific spiritual person to help out people of whatever faith or lack of it?

So what the F is this thread about and why is my time being wasted!??

In American parlance, a chaplain is usually Christian.

 

[ParkCungHee]

What would a fundamentalist Christian scientist do?

Science?

 

[Formaldehyde]

Yeah, isn't that the whole point of a chaplain? A non-religiously specific spiritual person to help out people of whatever faith or lack of it?

So what the F is this thread about and why is my time being wasted!??

One would think the US military is the Masons where you have to believe in a supreme being in order to be a member.

 

[BvBPL]

Athiest is not the same thing as non-spiritual.

Isn't it? I don't mean their synonymous, but doesn't atheism come with a rejection of the supernatural and isn't the supernatural a necessary component of spirituality?

A chaplain versed in Greek philosophy, for instance, could draw on Stoicism to offer guidance or succor to a distressed soldier.

The quantum possibility of a Stoic as a US Military Chaplain does little to address my inquiry about a certainly Newtonian possible chaplain.

Besides, as the article explains there are already humanists serving in this role in the Dutch military and at Harvard, Stanford and three other universities.

Yes. So, what do they do? How do they do their job and is there job defined differently from that of other chaplains?

The story said that the chaplain might "help" with a prayer. Is this sufficient to fulfill his responsibilities to the sailor or marine in question?

 

[MobBoss]

ATC had a story this evening about a dude that wants to become the US military's first atheist chaplain.

What would an atheist chaplain do? Can an atheist chaplain minister to the spiritual needs of troops without betraying his own spiritual (non)beliefs?

Can we expect the religious troops to accept an atheist chaplain as their minister?

Should the US Military mandate that all officers get down in a foxhole to ensure this doesn't occur?

For what it's worth, the motto of the Chaplain Corp is "For God and Country."

ATC.

So we are finally coming clean and declaring baldness a hairstyle?

About time.

 

[MobBoss]

A chaplain is not a religion or philosophy specific post, right? So you could have a buddhist chaplain.

Actually, they are supposed to be a religious posting. In fact, as I recall, Chaplains have to be ordained/licensed/supported/sponsored as a Chaplain by a Church/Temple/Mosque where they received their religious training prior to receiving a commission as a Chaplain.

In that they are similar to JAGs and Army docs. They aren't usually commissioned as an officer until they have finished all their education and have been certified.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Yes. So, what do they do? How do they do their job and is there job defined differently from that of other chaplains?

What do you think a Buddhist or Hindu chaplain does? Or any other chaplain who practices a different religion or is even a member of a different sect?

Don't you think being an ex-Christian minister with an advanced degree in theology that he is more than capable of being a chaplain?