Yeah, mine, too. Not to mention backed by years of experience as a chaplain.
Thunder6, read through this thread and give us your thoughts, if you don't mind. Thanks.
“The guidelines address prayer at military events, but in no way restrict private prayer or chaplains’ activities in religious settings,” General Brady said. “We respect the rights of chaplains to adhere to the tenets of their individual faiths, and they will not be required to participate in religious activities, including public prayer, inconsistent with their faiths.”
Okay, while I haven't seen the new policy and can't comment on specifics, I have a couple of general thoughts:
1. I'm certainly not an expert on the induction and training of Chaplains, but my observations so far have been that they are "generalists"...by that I mean, they have their primary faith organization (RC, Jewish, etc...) but are broad enough (and secure enough in their own faith and position as a man of God) to minister to ALL their charges. The analogy I always think of comes from the old TV series M*A*S*H, where COL Potter asks Father Mulcahey if he does "a good Methodist". Else, why are they there?
2. A Chaplain holds a Commission from the President in addition to his religious affiliation. With that Commission comes the responsibility to care for and lead ALL the soldiers he is "in charge of". Not lead in the "Charge the hill" sense (though some will and have), but take the lead in the spiritual health of the soldier.
3. I think I may have written this before, but I think Chaplains are the protectors and keepers of a soldier's soul, and the one outpost of humanity in one of the most dehumanizing activities of man.
Therefore, if the guy is thinking he'll "be required to participate in religious activities, including public prayer, inconsistent with (his) faiths.”, then he probably needs to find another place to practice his particular faith.
Granted, the USAF is a viable alternative to government service, but I don't see this problem in the Army (yet...).
Regards,