Tag Archives: meditation

Marines to Try Out Buddhist Mindfulness, Critics Stay Silent

Update:  Former Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt says the Marines should be considering Christianity, not Buddhism:

“I think getting rid of anxiety is important. We need to decrease the suicide rate among our Marines,” he agrees. “But Buddhism is not the way to do that. I think Christianity is intellectually a better way to promote healthy mental awareness.”

Like Chaplain Lee, Klingenschmitt wonders where the normally vociferous critic Michael Weinstein is right now [emphasis added]: Read more

FRC Criticizes US Military Adoption of Yoga

In early December the Washington Times posted a lengthy article on the US Marines “expanding use of meditation training” — essentially, aspects of yoga and Eastern religions.  The article was little different than the ones noted here over the past several years, documenting the increasing official acceptance — and even mandatory use — of the physical aspects of some Eastern religions.

More recently, the FRC‘s Tony Perkins criticized the military’s incorporation of “meditation:”

In the military, it’s out with God — and in with the goofy!…As part some new training, Marines are being asked to join weekly yoga and meditation classes…

Former Army Captain Elizabeth Stanley…insists the new age Read more

Army Looks at Alternative, Spiritual Medicines

According to a recent official news release, the US Army is researching “alternative treatments to medication” in its efforts to compose a “comprehensive pain-management strategy” including acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and biofeedback.

The first three of those have some form of spiritual or ethereal undertones, almost exclusively from eastern religious traditions.  The proposals, as discussed by Army surgeon general Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, are an attempt to reduce the reliance on medication for every complaint.

Of course, religious faith does play a role in many aspects of life, including both physical and emotional healing.  Campus Crusade’s military ministry (see Links) has invested considerable energy in creating faith-based resources for returning servicemembers struggling with PTSD.