(May 27, 2014 at 10:27 pm)Sejanus Wrote: Theism = religion. Atheism = without religion.
How hard is that to understand?

If you have the brain capacity of an average housefly,very hard.

The military should jettison the entire chaplaincy program and replace them with professional psychologists if need be.

Its like saying is not playing a sport a sport. You can't have no religion and it be a religion.

I've found the article from the New York Times.

Atheists Seek Chaplain Role in the Military

Quote:Strange as it sounds, groups representing atheists and secular humanists are pushing for the appointment of one of their own to the chaplaincy, hoping to give voice to what they say is a large — and largely underground — population of nonbelievers in the military.

Joining the chaplain corps is part of a broader campaign by atheists to win official acceptance in the military. Such recognition would make it easier for them to raise money and meet on military bases. It would help ensure that chaplains, religious or atheist, would distribute their literature, advertise their events and advocate for them with commanders.

But winning the appointment of an atheist chaplain will require support from senior chaplains, a tall order. Many chaplains are skeptical: Do atheists belong to a “faith group,” a requirement for a chaplain candidate? Can they provide support to religious troops of all faiths, a fundamental responsibility for chaplains?

Jason Torpy, a former Army captain who is president of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, said humanist chaplains would do everything religious chaplains do, including counsel troops and help them follow their faiths. But just as a Protestant chaplain would not preside over a Catholic service, a humanist might not lead a religious ceremony, though he might help organize it.

“Humanism fills the same role for atheists that Christianity does for Christians and Judaism does for Jews,” Mr. Torpy said in an interview. “It answers questions of ultimate concern; it directs our values.”

Looks like one of the aims is to give atheists the same status and privileges as religious military personnel. The other is to give atheists counselling and support without bringing God into it.

All for it.

I think a lot of theists erroneously presume that, as atheists, 'we' don't have any thoughts about death or what (if indeed anything) occurs afterwards, and thus by reduction we don't have any needs or requirements when it comes to dealing with situations that involve death.

My interaction with chaplains has been mostly in hospital settings, and even then the majority actually don't bring much religion into it at all. An ear to hear one's thoughts and fears is often all they are, and I'm sure lots of people are thankful for that regardless of whether they agree with the religion they are part of or not.

An atheist chaplain, as I see it, would simply be that ear. Offering words of comfort or showing avenues that can be explored with things like counselling and therapy that any religious chaplain would also do, albeit without the dog collar.

(May 27, 2014 at 10:21 pm)Artur Axmann Wrote: Atheism ,another Religion?

Before you dismiss the question ; As recently reported in the New York Times, military personnel who identify themselves as "Atheists" have requested chaplains to tend to their spiritual needs.

depends,
are you on the inside looking out? or walking around all the groups looking in?
1) do we have a base "faith" statement?
"no nothing" fits. It has no observation data to make such a claim.

2) do we meet and talk about the clarity logic and reason we have?
Why yes we do. We even support each other even when we think a choice may be wrong.

3) Do the individuals claim "this is not a religion"
I see many religions claim this.

4) do we have people running about leading "meetings". I think the word is pastor.
why yes again.

5) do we have fundamentalist that completely screw the pooch in presenting atheistic views as a valid choice?
really? that's a stupid question.

6) do we want all religions "removed" because "they are bad and we are truly good"?
this one is tricky because of how nice and respectful we treat people that don't think like us. So this is a big fat ass "NO"

7) Do we need a Chaplin in the army.

Asshole OP ... we are not a religion. we don't resemble them in any way shape or form you big hairy love egg you.

For all the usual reasons the answer is no, atheism is not a religion, unless:

Not collecting stamps is a hobby.
Off is a TV channel.
Baldness is a hairstyle.......

You get the idea.

Does that mean atheists don't benefit from having someone to talk to?

I think not.

(May 28, 2014 at 7:12 am)Confused Ape Wrote: I've found the article from the New York Times.

---

Atheists Seek Chaplain Role in the Military

Quote:Strange as it sounds, groups representing atheists and secular humanists are pushing for the appointment of one of their own to the chaplaincy, hoping to give voice to what they say is a large — and largely underground — population of nonbelievers in the military.

Joining the chaplain corps is part of a broader campaign by atheists to win official acceptance in the military. Such recognition would make it easier for them to raise money and meet on military bases. It would help ensure that chaplains, religious or atheist, would distribute their literature, advertise their events and advocate for them with commanders.

But winning the appointment of an atheist chaplain will require support from senior chaplains, a tall order. Many chaplains are skeptical: Do atheists belong to a “faith group,” a requirement for a chaplain candidate? Can they provide support to religious troops of all faiths, a fundamental responsibility for chaplains?

Jason Torpy, a former Army captain who is president of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, said humanist chaplains would do everything religious chaplains do, including counsel troops and help them follow their faiths. But just as a Protestant chaplain would not preside over a Catholic service, a humanist might not lead a religious ceremony, though he might help organize it.

“Humanism fills the same role for atheists that Christianity does for Christians and Judaism does for Jews,” Mr. Torpy said in an interview. “It answers questions of ultimate concern; it directs our values.”

Looks like one of the aims is to give atheists the same status and privileges as religious military personnel. The other is to give atheists counselling and support without bringing God into it.

---

So the article's conflating secular humanism with atheism, wrongly. Certainly, a good proportion of secular humanists are atheists but the article's wrong to automatically assign the label 'atheist' to humanists, even if one of the main proponents is an 'atheist' association.

I'll echo what Cato said. There should be no barrier to freedom of religious expression in the military but that shouldn't be paid for out of taxes. Instead, what soldiers need is support & (sometimes) therapy. Maybe then we'd see fewer veterans with PTSD. It's clear that the current chaplaincy is failing its charge in that regard.

Artur and the blog writer must think atheism is the most homeopathic religion going - the less of it there is, the stronger it must be.

I've had nothing to drink all day. Therefore I must be completely pissed.

(May 27, 2014 at 10:21 pm)Artur Axmann Wrote: Atheism ,another Religion?

No. No, no, no. I'm so tired of this pathetically weak attempt to cast atheism as a religion. Atheism is the lack of belief in any deities. No worship, no dogma, no bullshit.

(May 27, 2014 at 10:21 pm)Artur Axmann Wrote: Before you dismiss the question ; As recently reported in the New York Times, military personnel who identify themselves as "Atheists" have requested chaplains to tend to their spiritual needs.

And? If you were getting shot at, shooting others, or just simply being put under the day to day mountain of stress that is the military I'm sure you'd need someone to speak with about your beliefs as well. This gives atheists the option of not having to hear the mumbo-jumbo.

(May 28, 2014 at 5:23 am)Esquilax Wrote: You are drastically misunderstanding the purpose of an atheist chaplain.

Looks like you missed some keys there;

Quote: You are drastically, purposefully, misunderstanding the purpose of an atheist chaplain in a piss-poor, dishonest attempt to say that atheism is a religion and that atheists are in the same hole-ridden boat that you are. You fuck, you.