CELESTIAL LANDS – Is the Constitutionality of Military Chaplaincy in Danger?

Published On: October 31, 2011|Categories: News|2 Comments on CELESTIAL LANDS – Is the Constitutionality of Military Chaplaincy in Danger?|

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by Rev. David Pyle, Chaplain (US Army Reserve) and Unitarian Universalist Assistant Minister

Selected Article Excerpts:

  • This week, I received an email from an organization I track, known as the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. It is an organization that advocates both legally and in the media, for the protection of the Free Exercise of Religion in the military, often with more passion than restraint. Yet, over the last few years that I have read their press releases, legal briefs, and articles, I have been amazed at the amount of restraint they have shown in not directly targeting the behavior of military chaplains.
  • With the closeness with which they have tracked and spoken out about military commanders using their authority to promote particular religions, and with the way they have advocated for people of minority religions (and the non-religious) who have been discriminated against (and sometimes verbally and physically abused), I knew that MRFF had to be receiving complaints on the actions of some military chaplains. Probably many times many complaints.
  • MRFF has shown the restraint it has shown because I believe they see the value in having military chaplains, dedicated to protecting the free exercise of religion, on the battlefield with our soldiers.
  • I believe we have reached the end of that patience and restraint. It is my belief that, unless there is a major effort to reform the Chaplain Corps in the immediate future, there will soon be a court challenge, perhaps filed by MRFF, as to whether or not our military chaplain corps as currently staffed and structured is constitutional. And, I have no idea what the outcome of such a court case would be. I’m just glad my primary income comes from Parish Ministry…

 


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2 Comments

  1. Maggie November 5, 2011 at 9:42 am

    Do you think there will be enough athiests and apologists to staff our armed services after you all do away with Christians? Just a thought. Perhaps the draft will be executed and once again ALL of our young people of all beliefs ,non beliefs and colors will once again have the opportunity to serve and protect our nation. Out of this diversity may come some good.

    After many generations of military service in my family,and most recently ,husband,son,daughter-in-law ,all volunteer ,We have all decided to advise grandchildren not to volunteer,to find another way to serve. They are Christians and will obviously not be welcomed.

  2. Maggie November 6, 2011 at 8:09 am

    Rev Pyle,
    Perhaps we can preempt Mikey and gang and all write to our Congresspeople and request that Chaplains be cut from the military budget.They are sooo looking for cuts from the military. From the view of all of you, religion is offensive,not needed in the military and it seems YOU personally do not need nor want the job.
    I am guessing if you did a poll of all armed services personnel they may not feel the same way,actually I am thankful I have never met any of you, and I bet you are a very small but vocal minority. I will be ammending my daily prayers for ,what used to be,all military and families to,”Please God protect those that will not be offended by You or my prayers.” Would that be politically correct enough sir?

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