(May 1, 2011 at 4:16 pm)FaithNoMore Wrote: I too am confused as to why this guy would want to start this group and take the position of chaplain. Like you said, an atheist chaplain is really just a counselor and you already have those. Maybe he is trying to give atheists in the army their own social structure but it honestly sounds as if he is just enjoying the publicity. Almost all atheists I have talked to would agree that it would be ridiculous for them to get together and discuss their lack of belief. It almost sounds as if this guy is trying to be a "leader" for atheists in the army but that contradicts what most atheists stand for which is no atheistic hirearchy. I am suspicious of his motives because he wants to receive the title of "chaplain." I don't see why an organization would be neccessary for an intellectual metaphysical discourse and I don't see the point of his whole endeavor.
I think you're on to something, I've thought that celebrity status was what it was all about too. He's going to too much trouble for something that will hardly meet the demand.
I think it all boils down to this analogy. I don't eat sweets, sugar, chocolate, and for the point of this analogy: Cake. I don't eat cake, haven't since I was 8 or so...It's just to rich and sweet for me. But does that mean that I shouldn't have a birthday cake. I mean, everyone else gets a birthday cake, shouldn't I? I feel that he's asking for something that he doesn't even want and making it a huge deal, only to ignore the results when/if he gets them. The difference with my analogy and this situation is, during my birthday if I get a cake and I don't eat it-everyone gets a piece of cake and is happy. For him, he's fighting a battle for cake for a bunch of non-cake eating party goers. It just doesn't make sense.
