"Military at odds with evangelical chaplains"

[Bluebear]

WASHINGTON — The growing influence of evangelical Protestants is roiling the military chaplain corps, where their desire to preach their faith more openly is colliding with long-held military traditions of pluralism and diversity.

After accusations this summer that evangelical chaplains, faculty and coaches were pressuring cadets at the Air Force Academy, the Air Force issued new guidelines on respect for religious minorities. In the Navy, evangelical Protestant chaplains are fighting what they say is a legacy of discrimination in hiring and promotions, and they are bridling at suggestions they not pray publicly “in the name of Jesus.”

Much of the conflict is in two areas:

• how the military hires its ministers

• how they word their public prayers.

Evangelical chaplains — who are rising in numbers and clout amid a decline in Catholic priests and mainline Protestant ministers — are challenging the status quo on both questions, causing even some evangelical commanders to worry about the impact on morale.

“There is a polarization that is beginning to set up that I don’t think is helpful. Us versus them,” said Air Force Col. Richard Hum, an Evangelical Free Church minister who is the executive director of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board. “I don’t know whether it’s an overflow of what’s happening in society. But this sort of thing is so detrimental to what we are trying to do in the chaplaincy.”...

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/12614993.htm

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. this is only going to get worst

[RiDuvessa]

2. I can definitely attest to the rise in evangelicals.

I had a squadron CO who arranged bible studies that the wardroom (officers) was STRONGLY encouraged to attend. Thankfully I didn't work under him too long. He also had a minister as the guest speaker at his retirement. His choice, but I thought it was inappropriate.

It's not just confined to the officers either. I have seen the same thing in the enlisted ranks. Obviously they don't have as much power to influence the entire squadron, but they can make life miserable for their shipmates. I have had to tell a sailor to proselytize on his own time, that work was not the place for that.

I just wish that everyone could live and let live.

[Warren DeMontague]

4. If everyone could live and let live

the GOP would lose 50% of its raison d’être.

[aion]

3. Oops! You're on point!

You can be very right and still be very dead.