Chaplain (Col) Jacob Goldstein often attracts attention when he visits military units, as he is one of the few personnel sporting a full beard in his Army fatigues. Goldstein is one of seven orthodox Jewish Chaplains serving in the US Army.
A recent article notes his presence at a local training event in California. In the article, Goldstein takes an interesting view on spirituality in the armed forces:
“The military gives great deference to religion,” said Goldstein, “You ask any commander – any Soldier that is spiritual and has some religion makes for a good Soldier. The fact the Soldier has some kind of comfort and has some faith – regardless of that faith – if you believe in something, that’s important.”
Such a statement — a spiritual soldier makes a good soldier — might ordinarily draw a stern and caustically worded rebuke from Michael Weinstein or his Military Religious Freedom Foundation, if it came from a Christian. This is particularly relevant since two of his litigation vehicles have been atheists. (Interestingly, Goldstein has previously defended the military against Weinstein’s accusations.) Ironically, though, a member of the MRFF has recently been taken to task for degrading atheists.
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