{"id":34596,"date":"2016-03-14T00:20:11","date_gmt":"2016-03-14T03:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/?p=34596"},"modified":"2016-11-24T21:50:06","modified_gmt":"2016-11-25T00:50:06","slug":"chaplains-the-constitution-and-spiritual-backgrounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/14\/chaplains-the-constitution-and-spiritual-backgrounds\/","title":{"rendered":"Chaplains, the Constitution, and Spiritual Backgrounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Air Force article<\/a> about a shortage of chaplains at Creech Air Force base opened with an important statement:<\/p>\n

With every airman having a different faith, each has something unique to add to the mission.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Implicit in that statement is something often forgotten:\u00a0 The Air Force recognizes (or should<\/em> recognize)\u00a0virtue<\/strong> in the fact its Airmen have religious beliefs.<\/p>\n

Another interesting Air Force article<\/a> about military chaplains from Ramstein, Germany, explained what chaplains do and where they come from:\u00a0 <\/p>\n

When thinking of the phrase “separation of church and state” and its embodiment, a multitude of examples may swarm a person’s mind, but military chaplains are probably not one.<\/p>\n

In fact, as a Department of Defense employee and a religious leader, a military chaplain may be what comes to mind as the opposite of the phrase…<\/p>\n

“Our purpose is to first of all provide to the First Amendment rights of our Airmen through freedom of religion,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Christopher Underwood, 86th Airlift Wing.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In a somewhat refreshing reminder, the article also notes chaplains naturally, and expectedly, speak from their theological backgrounds:<\/p>\n

While the chaplain hosting the event or talking with a person may speak through the lens of their spiritual background, the chapel encourages everyone to utilize the services provided by chaplains and chaplain assistants.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Over the past few years some have criticized military chaplains for having the gall to speak in terms of their ‘exclusive’ theological beliefs, seemingly forgetting that’s the whole point<\/em> of having chaplains from different systems of beliefs.<\/p>\n

The article also included an interesting comment regarding “made up” religions:<\/p>\n

There is a list of DOD-recognized religions that chaplains can vouch for to ensure commanders are respecting actual practices and not ones made up by individual…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/div>\n

ADVERTISEMENT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n