The Baptist Press covers a speech by the Army chief of Chaplains, Maj Gen Douglas Carver, to the Southern Baptist Convention in early June.
“Our soldiers carry a heavy, heavy load…and we get to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ unencumbered while in uniform.”
An interesting commentary by an agnostic Air Force sergeant on his recent deployment reveals that the relationship between Airmen and their Chaplain is about far more than religion–or the lack thereof.
Blogs and news articles have highlighted the fact that General Norton Schwartz (official bio), the current selection to replace outgoing Air Force Chief of Staff General Michael Moseley, is Jewish. They emphasize that he is inheriting a service with “issues” involving evangelical Christians. The Forward notes that Michael Weinstein, who has sued the Defense Department for alleged Christian bias, has already asked to meet the General, even though he has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.
Regrettably, the unnecessary focus on religion distracts from what many in the Air Force find more interesting: the fact that the new Chief of Staff will be the first non-fighter/bomber pilot to lead the Air Force in its history. (An official list of all Chiefs of Staff can be viewed here.)
According to their website, Christian Freedom International has taken on the cause of the US Marine who was removed from duty after distributing coins with a Christian message (previously noted). CFI believes that punishing the Marine for his actions would be counter to American freedoms.
As noted at the Christian Post, Operation Worship has teamed with a variety of groups to deliver “100,000 Bibles in 100 days” to military members and their families. The Bibles are purchased by individuals who write a personal note in it and then return it to be delivered to the military.
While there may be some hesitation about such distribution given the recent sensitivity over such matters, the organization says that the Bibles will be delivered to Chaplains who will distribute them as troops are being deployed. In addition, the organization says it launched the effort to ensure that they reached every soldier that wants a Bible.
Christians can and should be involved in public discourse, particularly with respect to Christianity in the public square. This may mean that they will have opportunities to support statements with which they agree, refute those that they do not, and defend the actions of Christians against unjust or unfounded accusations. Throughout such discourse, they must endeavor to do so with tolerance and respect for the beliefs and ideas of others. While there is generally nothing wrong with a stern defense, it is sometimes easy to adopt prejudicial views rather than respond with consideration. While Christians should be emboldened to speak the truth, even the recent “Evangelical Manifesto” took Christians to task for “expressing the truth without love.”
Christians should remember, too, that tolerance means to respect another’s rights to have different beliefs. Contrary to modern interpretations, it does not mean that one has to accept those beliefs or agree to their opposing truth claims. This was once simplified as respecting another person’s “right to be wrong.” (Pluralism, on the other hand, asserts that there is no single “right” answer; in fact, opposing beliefs may be equally “right.”)
In the military, such respect for another’s beliefs is not only recommended, it is required. While a civilian can run another person’s faith into the ground without recourse, a military member who did the same Read more
According to CNN, a US Marine has been removed from his post for distributing coins with a Christian message of evangelism to local Iraqis.
According to FoxNews, the Army has decided to remove three crosses and a memorial plaque that honored a Chaplain who died while serving on Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. This was reportedly to comply with Army regulations that require chapels to have neutral appearances and not be named. From 13-3:
The chapel environment will be religiously neutral when the facility is not being used for scheduled worship. Chapels must be available to people of all faith groups for meditation and prayer when formal religious services are not scheduled.
[Religious] symbols are to be moved or covered when not in use. Distinctive religious symbols, such as crosses, crucifixes, the Star of David, menorah, and other religious symbols, will not be affixed or displayed permanently on the chapel exterior or grounds. Permanent or fixed chapel furnishings, such as the altar, pulpit, lectern, communion rail, prie-dieu, or reredos, will be devoid of distinctive religious symbols.
While some blogs have criticized the Army for the move, neutral symbology is fairly standard Read more