ldsuttonjr Loc: ShangriLa

Group preparing to press military for atheist chaplain, source says


by Jim Angle
In what some might see as an oxymoron, an advocacy group apparently is preparing to ask the Defense Department to appoint a chaplain -- for atheists.

The Military Association of Atheists and Free Thinkers plans to make the request on Tuesday, floating its president Jason Torpy as the proposed chaplain.

Asked for comment, the association referred to its position in support of a prior bid to name a "humanist" chaplain. The Defense Department has not yet returned requests for comment.

But an aide to Rep. John Fleming, R-La., who last year opposed the creation of such a position, said Monday that the congressman is "aware" of the revived push and "very concerned."

The move would come after lawmakers, including Fleming, battled over the same issue last year.

Democrats tried, unsuccessfully, to pass legislation creating such a post in 2013. In response, Republicans offered up a measure of their own to prohibit the Pentagon from naming such a chaplain. The House approved the measure in July.

With Congress at odds, though, the Defense Department could decide on its own.

A separate organization, The Humanist Society, endorsed Oxford-educated religious scholar Jason Heap last year to be the first-ever humanist chaplain in the U.S. Navy.

The MAAF supported the application. All along, the group has argued that more people identify as atheists and humanists than any other non-Christian denomination.

But Republican lawmakers who have fought these efforts have described the push as nonsensical. The motto of the Army Chaplain Corps is, after all, "Pro Deo et Patria," or "For God and Country."

Fleming said last year that the idea of an atheist chaplain is "an oxymoron."

"It's self-contradictory -- what you're really doing is now saying that we're going to replace true chaplains with non-chaplain chaplains," he said.

But the MAAF argues that military chaplains are not providing enough outreach for those who do not believe in God.

According to research in 2009 by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, about a quarter of military servicemembers who participated in the study said they had "no religious preference." More than 3.6 percent identified as humanist, while a little over 1 percent identified as pagan.

Several organizations and religious scholars have pressed the U.S. military to consider naming chaplains for those servicemembers.

"Such broad-based and growing support of professionals and experts should make it easy for the Department of Defense and the Navy to open their doors to diversity of belief that includes humanists and other nontheists," the group said in a statement last year.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I agree it is nonsensical. Why would an atheist need any counseling if he doesn't believe in God and his life has no meaning. He or she basically comes from nowhere and eventually goes nowhere. Maybe they just need someone to affirm that they are worthless, life has no meaning and they are only here to be used by us as pawns to help accomplish meaningful things for those of us that do believe in God, life, purpose and meaning. Which leads me to a wonderful idea. Why don't we only enlist atheists into the armed forces anyway since their lives have no meaning. That would allow those of us who do serve a purpose to accomplish much more of God's work and help humanity in general. The possibilities are endless. But otherwise the atheists should just use the services of existing secular social workers, secular psychologists or secular psychiatrists if they want some good drugs or a note for occasional bed rest. Can I get an amen?

cesspool jones Loc: atlanta

right on the money, very good. amen. i've always said, "don't f*ck with my beliefs and i won't f*ck with yours...means nothing to atheists or the left which, of course, will lead to a reaction to the action if these godless f*cks refuse to cease and desist. i'm due for a beating.

Singularity

REPLY FROM AN ATHEIST
THIS is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I agree it is nonsensical. Why would an CHRISTIAN need any counseling if he believes in G*d and his life has no meaning beyond G*d's purpose. (S)he basically comes from dust and eventually goes back to dust. Maybe they just need someone to affirm that their earthly existence once Saved are useless, life has no personal meaning and they are only here to be used as pawns to help accomplish meaningful things for G*d. Which leads me to a wonderful idea. Why don't we only enlist CHRISTIANS into the armed forces anyway since their lives have no further meaning until they die and heaven begins! They could risk their measley earthly existances and get a jump start on eternity in heaven via the mortalities involved in combat! That would allow those of us who do revere this one and only brief chance at life to accomplish much more GOOD work and help humanity in general. The possibilities are endless. But otherwise, since they have faith that their loving G*d is in charge of all things, the CHRISTIANS shouldn't even need to use the services of existing secular social workers, secular psychologists or secular psychiatrists unless they want some good drugs or a note for occasional bed rest. Can I get a, "Oh, man!"

Singularity

What is it, my dear, that this "g*dless fuck" needs to "cease and desist?" Please be specific as I am a tiny little old crippled lady, easily breakable, and you sound big and rough and inclined to do impulsive harm if your orders aren't followed to the letter! I want to be absolutely sure I know how to please you!

BWAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAAAAHAHAHAHA! HA! HA!

cesspool jones Loc: atlanta

i really should clarify on that and i certainly wasn't in reference to people who live and let live...such as yourself. man, you really got me on this one. what i mean is all this 'forced change' being shoved all over creation by the left making the minority the majority simply by screaming until they get their way like little kids is very alarming to the future of all religions, not just christianity. it is war against christianity at its worst by the left and therez no end in sight with these kids. people who live and let live, no matter what they believe or don't believe is where its at. i'm very sorry for the emotion and also the nosedive i put myself in. sorry singularity.

Singularity

Thank you, CJ. Having read some other of your posts, I expected no less than this response from a gentleman such as you. That is, while many times your manner of speech can be "rough," the kernel of thought is mostly reasonable and just. I don't agree with all your opinions but mutual respect allows for consensus as to mutual action when cooperation is needed.
I agree that more danger comes from those stuck in extremist viewpoints on either side of any issue who have lost sight of middle ground.
And its good to have someone able to take a little "rib poking" from time to time.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

I suppose you thought it was cute to basically plagiarize my comments and add in a few h**eful remarks along the way. Is this why you choose to not believe in God cause you prefer the easy way out and believe in others doing the work for you? Is this how you got through school or did you finish school? Your reply certainly did not score any points for atheists and I would bet they would appreciate you being quiet rather than hurt their cause. This response is not intended to hurt you but make you think. The simple fact that atheists would even request their own chaplains is an attack on Christianity. A chaplain by definition is a clergyman assigned to a chapel or a clergyman assigned to a military branch. So it would not be possible to have an atheist chaplain. They do not exist. Doesn't it bother you that these atheist don't even know what they are asking for since they have no understanding of what a chaplain is in the first place. Yet you jump in to defend them having no idea what you are talking about. That's more often than not the case with those on the left. It is also very obvious by your remarks that you have no understanding of God or Christians. This country was started as a Christian country by almost all Christians. This is a definite fact recorded in our nation's history. L*****t democrats have tried to deny this and even change these facts in our children's text books and text books at the college level. But that doesn't erase or change the t***h. There is no such thing in any of our founding documents called, " separation of church and state." That term comes from a private letter written by Thomas Jefferson to a church intending to convey the exact opposite of how the term has been twisted. Jefferson and the majority of Americans held the church in such high regard that he was telling them the government would in no way overstep its boundaries and interfere with the church, its teachings or its valued place in our civilized society. How foolish that would be to any American. Someone earlier stated, "live and let live" and I agree this is the belief of most Americans except for democrats and those on the left. They are so full of h**e and intolerance to anyone that doesn't support what they want. The majority of us Americans, Christians and non- Christians are tired of having our American country under God being hijacked by this miniscule section of society that are full of anger and h**e and unhappy with themselves. You are free to believe or not believe what you want but keep me out of your deranged ant- American muck. If the atheists need someone in authority to tend to their spiritual needs or non-spiritual needs then use the professionals that are already in place drawing a salary. Please don't ask for something that is going to cost the rest of us even more money and heartache that we have endured because you are troubled. I am sorry you are lost. I hope you do come to the knowledge and saving grace of Jesus. I will be praying that you do. Since you don't know Him you are at a disadvantage because of your limited ability to perceive t***h . God bless you.

Singularity

I found your comments to be h**efully cute in tone to start with, thoughtless in content, and needlessly d******e. I did nothing but turn the tables on you to give you a taste of your own bitterness.

Sometimes seeing themselves in a mirror helps some people to recognize when their appearance is in need of correction. Didn't work for you though.

I will do you the favor of looking over the remainder of your very long post to determine any response at a later time.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Fine, but I harbor no h**e and definitely do not want to divide. I am not the president. I did however intend it to be facetious and hopefully a little thought provoking.

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

One can't be "facetious and hopefully a little thought provoking" with an atheist devil worshiper.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

I hear you old gringo. I don't have h**e or bitterness but man I am so frustrated and tired with the left promoting their agenda. They have done so much to destroy what was once the most respected country on earth. They h**e t***h. They h**e facts. They seem to h**e anyone who doesn't agree with them or cater to their selfishness. Any wrong they do must be blamed on someone else.

Singularity

Then thank gosh i dont believe the devil exists either! I don't worship anybody! (Well, there is Neil DeGrasse Tyson, but mostly I think he is just really HOT, so its not the same as worship. And he is not the devil either. Just a scientist strutting his inner geek! Uhmm.. Focus!)

You know I love you too, Old Gringo! Even though we think differently on some stuff.

Perhaps I am a little more testy than I realized. I have avoided posting very much this week due to some private issues souring my usually sunny disposition. My apologies if my snarkiness surpassed the snarkiness of Rufus's post. I was aiming for equal. Well,... maybe a tiny tad extra in my favor, but I'm not proud of claiming that...

Another reason not to post too much of a response to Rufus' answer for right now.

The issue I was responding to here to is the apparant knee jerk response to this chaplain issue. Of course the notion is weird at first thought. Did anyone think to check out the other side's view to see what the breakdown of reasons for the request for atheist chaplains? There might be relevant issues we dont know about yet that you might endorse! Not sure since I haven't researched it either....

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Dear Singularity, I also apologize to you for being testy and a smart ass. I am sorry you are dealing with some difficult issues. This past year has been extremely difficult for our family. We have lost several loved ones among many other difficulties. I am frustrated because Christians are under attack here and around the world where many are tortured, maimed, imprisoned and k**led. I don't feel well either so I will opt out of the conversation till I can come back and be more civil and speak from a spirit of love.

cesspool jones Loc: atlanta

the left must be brought to their knees...and at this point, by brutal force. you are absolutely correct.