It is man’s nature to rely less on God when things are going well and draw closer to Him in times of difficulty. I believe that this is a natural response even to those who claim to be atheists. The phrase, “there are no atheists in foxholes,” sprang from experience.
I cannot imagine how the military would operate without chaplains and I cannot begin to express my gratitude for what you and all of the other chaplains throughout history have done. Not only do you have all of the ministerial duties that other clergymen do, you have the incredible duty of counseling young men and women who are dealing with the guilt of taking human life even though it is justified.
You are correct. Despite the atheist’s claim in the article, the old adage, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” is a reflection of reality.
Make no mistake. There WILL be ministers on the battlefield. Does a commander wish to have such an important influence on the fighting spirit of his warriors outside his purview?