NationStates Jolt Archive

COMMENTARY: What do you think about this? I don't see the problem if Chaplains can be "inclusive of the people in their audience," as the directive indicates. A side issue for discussion by Christians is whether it is biblical to pray to Jesus Christ; the Bible I have read several times nowhere indicates that this is either mandatory or even acceptable. What's the basis for it?


Navy rule on prayer ignites a debate (http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20060323-123021-4280r.htm)


By Eric Pfeiffer
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
March 23, 2006

A new Navy policy that encourages chaplains to use only "nonsectarian" language outside of divine services has prompted criticism that regulating prayer services violates the chaplains' First Amendment rights.

Under new rules signed by Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, chaplains of all faiths in the Navy are asked to consider the views of their audience before invoking specific religious beliefs in prayer.

"I'm very disappointed with the secretary of the Navy," said Navy chaplain Lt. Gordon James Klingenschmitt. "He's doing the opposite of what President Bush wants."

Navy spokesman Lt. William Marks says Lt. Klingenschmitt has exaggerated the policy's reach.

"The only thing we ask is that chaplains be inclusive of the people in their audience," Lt. Marks said.

"We've never said they can't invoke Jesus in their prayers. You aren't going to get into trouble for that."

Lt. Klingenschmitt is urging Mr. Bush to sign an executive order to allow military chaplains to pray according to their individual faith tradition. He said that if the president decides not to sign such an order, he might sue the Navy.

The Navy policy appears to be similar to that of the Air Force, which reads, "nondenominational, inclusive prayer or a moment of silence may be appropriate for military ceremonies."

The rule change completes an evolution of the Navy's official policy toward religious language.

In 1998, former Chief of Navy Chaplains Byron Holderby submitted a "memo of suggestion" that chaplains who wish to use sectarian language withdraw from events such as evening prayer services aboard Navy ships.

On Feb. 21, Mr. Winter quietly signed the regulation making the suggestion official Navy policy.

Yesterday, Lt. Klingenschmitt filed a "formal whistleblower complaint" against Mr. Winter and Chief of Navy Chaplains Rear Adm. Louis V. Iasiello.

If you're gonna show up to the chaplain, and hes going to pray with you, I think you can abide with a little discrepancy. Anyways, why would a buddist(or any other religion) go pray with a christian chaplain?

I think that the Chaplain can say what he wants. The state should not get into religion, and religion should not get into the state.

If you're gonna show up to the chaplain, and hes going to pray with you, I think you can abide with a little discrepancy. Anyways, why would a buddist(or any other religion) go pray with a christian chaplain?

I think that the Chaplain can say what he wants. The state should not get into religion, and religion should not get into the state.
The problem with this is that there aren't all that many Chaplins. Especially in combat zones, the Chaplin you have there may be the only one available. And part of the issue was over military ceremonies where a Chaplain is expected to pray.

The problem with this is that there aren't all that many Chaplins. Especially in combat zones, the Chaplin you have there may be the only one available. And part of the issue was over military ceremonies where a Chaplain is expected to pray.
Such as funerals??

why does the navy hate america?

since when do navy personnelle get free speech? the various military services dont provide a chaplain a free parish to run as he sees fit. they offer religious services for the men and women of the military. surely its a chaplains job to minister to whatever religious needs any serviceman or woman have to the best of his abilities. if a chaplain cant be inclusive, he should go find his own non military parish where he can preach as he and his parishoners see fit.

seems to me that jesus told us to pray to the father, not to him.

I think that the Chaplain can say what he wants. The state should not get into religion, and religion should not get into the state.
Then the obvious solution is to not have the government pay for chaplains. If a specific religious organization wants to fund the chaplain, including food clothing and shelter, they can send one to a war zone. Otherwise the military can live without chapains. (sarcastic)

A truely Christian chaplain would know that the Bible says the Christians are to yield to the beliefs of others. If it's not against God, the Christian is to do nothing that would go against the conscience of anyone. So, since a neutral prayer, or neutral counciling does not go against God, the chaplain should yield. You would think a chaplain would know the teachings of his/her own religion.

If you're gonna show up to the chaplain, and hes going to pray with you, I think you can abide with a little discrepancy. Anyways, why would a buddist(or any other religion) go pray with a christian chaplain?

I think that the Chaplain can say what he wants. The state should not get into religion, and religion should not get into the state.

1. There are many cases where there is only a limited number of available chaplains at a command. One of the chaplains offices first duty is as councelor and support for military personnel.

2. Chaplains are military officers, commissioned officers at that, under the payroll of the United States Armed Forces... Any chaplain which would even entertain the thought to "say what they want" deserve nothing short of a dishonorable discharge for failing in their duties persuant to their commission, or at the least an OTH [Other Than Honorable]...

A truely Christian chaplain would know that the Bible says the Christians are to yield to the beliefs of others. If it's not against God, the Christian is to do nothing that would go against the conscience of anyone. So, since a neutral prayer, or neutral counciling does not go against God, the chaplain should yield. You would think a chaplain would know the teachings of his/her own religion.

This is so true... To my knowlege, and in my experience having been in the service of the United States Navy, chaplains operated [at least at that time] in a very non-sectarian manner when dealing with the spiritual needs of the personnel... And at the time they understood that such was their responsibility in their position.... Seems what we have here is a zealot, under the payroll of the military who wants all the powers of a naval chaplain, but wants to be abdicated of all of the neccessitant responsibilities of this same office.

If you're gonna show up to the chaplain, and hes going to pray with you, I think you can abide with a little discrepancy. Anyways, why would a buddist(or any other religion) go pray with a christian chaplain?

I would say for the same reason someone would go see a doctor that was in the enemy ranks during a war: they are trained to heal. Any chaplin, I would hope at least, would be more than willing to aid someone that was suffering spiritually, regardless of the person's religious beliefs.