(May 1, 2011 at 2:20 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: Yes you're the victim of your own question.
Universities have secular societies... it's what most people are drawn to: socializing. What does the chaplaincy provide, and could and of that be replicated for non believers? Personally I can see how it could, and don't see your problem with allowing it to be so.
You are like the goth in your example, you try to deny what you are.
Perhaps I am the victim, then again, I like to think that I'm an onlooker witnessing the act of injustice.
The chaplain service provides multiple services, however since the war began over ten years ago, they have provided more of a spiritual relief for those suffering from PTSD, among other things. They aren't limited to be your personl confession or pastor, priest....Where the chaplain usually lacks is the ability to provide a college degree psychologically geared aid. The military has funded X dollars for it's psychology program and has went to lengths of hiring civilian head docs to help lessen soldier's battle stress. Where they lack is the spiritual guidance for our religious members. They work hand in hand with each other providing all the emotional and spiritual guidance. An Atheist chaplain would essentially be a non PsD holding person for the psychological community. There would be no need for the Atheist chaplain to provide spiritual support since a true Atheist has no need for that. Therefore, it would seem that you could be my chaplain, or the hobo on the street, or the old man in the coffee shop, so why give him the esteemed title of "Chaplain"? The replication for non-believers is simply put-a counselor, but we have those already.
I don't have a problem with allowing this, in fact it would be good for our military to go to its root and become secular as our nation was founded. Freedom of religion and such. As I said, I love the idea of religion, but forcing it on our service members is absolutely wrong and violates the very constitutional rights we defend. If this change comes about I will embrace it by not caring, but the uproar from religious service members can almost be heard now.
I don't feel that I have denied what I am. I think my analogy of the goth was more along the lines of being a follower when you where a sign that says "I will not conform" while at the same time standing amongst fellow non-conformists wearing the same sign. I can't not be like all the other Atheists that share my lack of belief, but that doesn't mean that I need to be a part of a group to further sanctify my belief or absence there of. I don't deny my being Atheist nor do I sport a shirt depicting a cross with an X through it.
