Paul Finkelman
Gordon James Klingenschmitt wrote:
A few points to answer questions that were raised...1) ALL chaplains are evangelists, in the sense that they promote their own faith message from the pulpit (even if liberal, or non-Christian, they're still evangelizing and persuading and teaching to convince people their point of view is the right one).2) ALL chaplains must tell willing attendees about right and wrong. We cannot possibly teach ethics, and counsel Sailors not to steal, not to lie, not to cheat on their wives, unless we have some basis in right vs. wrong. (Unless you want us to teach math instead). Promoting and persuading about morality is central to our mission. Sailors want us to tell them the truth about right and wrong. That's why they come to us for counseling, or attend church. They want to know the right answer. They need that. And it's our duty to tell them.3) Your non-voluntary tax-payer dollars go toward many things with which you disagree, (and so do mine), but I wonder what Congressman (with power of purse) would want to run for re-election saying "yeah, I'm the guy that defunded the chaplain corps, and took religious freedom away from all our Sailors and Marines, who sacrifice to defend religious freedom for others." He'd lose re-election. The American people obviously want this, or the corps would've been defunded long ago.4) General George Washington himself noted this tension concerning military chaplains. At one point during the height of the revolution in 1777, Congress reduced the number of chaplain billets, and some of Washington's officers complained that TOO FEW chaplains would lead to forced conversions, since the men wouldn't have multiple faith choices for Sunday worship. He recommended to Congress then, to double or triple the number of chaplains (hiring more from various beliefs, not just Anglicanism), and give the men more choices. More choice = more religious freedom.5) Lest anyone thinks I'm in favor of forced religious attendance or forced conversions, the Navy also disciplined me for protesting "government-mandated attendance quotas" to a pro-gay church. They actually ordered quotas, and forced attendance, and I protested, and I was silenced and reprimanded in writing. (Read more at www.persuade.tv )6) My personal rule of ministry is this: Don't talk about religion at all, unless there's "invitation-acceptance," and then speak boldly. Either party (Chaplain or Sailor) may initiate the invitation to religious discussion, but if it's not welcomed and agreed to, I become silent. There are too many interested Sailors for me, to chase those uninterested. But if they come willingly, they will hear the truth. If they didn't like the truth they heard, they forfeit their right to complain.7) Servicemen do have legitimate religious and spiritual needs. It's part of who they are. You can't take away their chaplains anymore than you could take away their dentists. Would you send a Sailor to war without access to dental care? People have deep spiritual needs, and they come to us for spiritual help. And I care enough to give them the best truth I have.Very respectfully,Chaplain Klingenschmitt
Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.
_______________________________________________ To post, send message to Religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/religionlawPlease note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as private. Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; people can read the Web archives; and list members can (rightly or wrongly) forward the messages to others.
-- Paul Finkelman Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law University of Tulsa College of Law 3120 East 4th Place Tulsa, OK 74104-3189 918-631-3706 (office) 918-631-2194 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED]
_______________________________________________ To post, send message to Religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/religionlaw Please note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as private. Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; people can read the Web archives; and list members can (rightly or wrongly) forward the messages to others.
