CAP Chaplains -- problems?

Started by RiverAux, March 02, 2007, 02:56:33 PM

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RiverAux

Evidently the military has been having issues with their Chaplains trying to recruit new members for their own religion lately.  I haven't heard of any such problems with CAP Chaplains.  Frankly, I don't know exactly what the rules are for how "sectarian" military or CAP Chaplains are supposed to be in terms of regular religious services or prayers that they offer in public. 

Has this been an issue elsewhere in CAP?

Eclipse

Without being able to get into detail yes.

I don't know if its so much direct recruiting, as the problem I have had is
evangelism versus ecumenicalism.


"That Others May Zoom"

Chaplaindon

RiverAux (et al),

This is part of a manufactured issue ... one created to advance a political agenda. The ostensible issue (you allude to) is that Christian chaplains are being prohibited by the DoD and/or the military from praying "in the Name of Jesus Christ," out of some misguided attempt at political correctness.

Such is simply not the case at all.

The actual truth of the matter has two (2) foci:

1.  Chaplains (both US military, and CAP -- who are also "endorsed military chaplains" albeit serving CAP) have and continue to have the right and freedom to pray as their conscience, faith, and endorsing religion directs DURING religious services. There are no constraints on practices or liturgies during worship services.

But there in lies a "bone of contention" with some. Although Chaplains (of all faiths, not just Christian) may pray (etc.) with impunity during worship, they are constrained by DoD policy, USAF regulation and instruction and CAPR's to be inclusive and nonsectarian while praying in secular (non-worship service) settings.

Thus, while saying a prayer at a WG deployment event (e.g. before leaving for Iraq, let's say) the WG Chaplain (an O-6), a Buddhist in this hypothetical example, is required to say a general prayer --not one that favors one faith tradition over another. A Muslim WG/HC would be similarly constrained from pronouncing the primacy of the Prophet during his prayer. Likewise would a Christian HC be prohibited from praying --in THAT secular setting-- in the Name of Jesus.

In such a setting the chaplain is praying on behalf of all faith traditions --not just hers/his-- and even praying for those who have no faith tradition (there are atheists in foxholes, contrary to the common wisdom).

So in a worship setting a Buddhist Chaplain, or a Muslim Chaplain, or a Roman Catholic Chaplain (and so forth) may be a sectarian and unrestrained in her/his prayers as their conscience and ecclesiastical endorser will allow. Likewise in a SECULAR (non-worship) setting, all must be similarly NON-sectarian and inclusive -- per Regulation(s).

Sadly, there are those --who for what (I think) are political motives INCONSISTENT with the real role of the ministry and/or chaplaincy-- have distorted the reality to suggest that in all settings Christian Chaplains (and ONLY CHRISTIAN CHAPLAINS) are being forbidden to preach in Jesus' Name. This distortion/lie is getting around too. In my civilian parish I have received several impassioned phone calls from "concerned citizens" asking me to "get involved" politically to free our Christian Chaplains. I have kindly, but explicitly, given them the facts.

I am pleased that Chaplains (of all faiths) are similarly constrained from sectarian prayers during secular events. I would be uncomfortable (at the least) if a Muslim Chaplain pronounced that Muhammad was greater or better than Christ during a pre-SAREX-briefing prayer. I would expect a Muslim cadet/SM to be similarly upset if, in the same setting, I prayed ONLY in Jesus' Name.

It's a good rule.

2.  Recently, I saw a morning news show where a USN Chaplain (a Lt., I think) was decrying his pending dismissal from the Navy for "praying in the Name of Jesus." What a terrible miscarriage of justice, right? Not at all, ---as the story developed upon further questioning-- he was being dismissed for disobeying his commanding officer who ordered him NOT to wear his USN uniform to a protest and prayer in front of the White House.  He wasn't being disciplined for praying, he was being disciplined for disobeying an order and wearing his uniform when he shouldn't have.

Unfortunately, I suspect that the distortion of facts and the sensational claims being made --for POLITICAL GAIN (IMHO)-- has and will continue to scare off some potential chaplains from military or CAP service. Ultimately, this agenda-making will harm the women and men in uniform (military and CAP) who benefit from the service of the chaplaincy.

I hope a good dose of fact and not rumor, distortion, and falsehoods will stem the tide.  People need to "play politics" with potholes and solid waste management and not the emotional and spiritual needs of our military and CAP personnel.

To that end, if you hear someone crisis-mongering this issue "Praying in the Name of Jesus," set them straight. Together we can stem the tide of this nonsense.
Rev. Don Brown, Ch., Lt Col, CAP (Ret.)
Former Deputy Director for CISM at CAP/HQ
Gill Robb Wilson Award # 1660
ACS-Chaplain, VFC, IPFC, DSO, NSO, USCG Auxiliary
AUXOP

DogCollar

Chaplain Don is correct.  Both the endorsement process and the appointment process are clear that Chaplains in public/secular settings are to perform their duties in a respectful, hospitable manner and NOT to use the language of a "specific" faith.  In worship, that is billed as Christian worship, for Christians, obviously, Jesus name may be used. 

I would invite anyone that has issues to read the Covenant and Code of Ethics for CAP Chaplains that can be found at the CAP website in the Regulations area.  It is a fine document.
Ch. Maj. Bill Boldin, CAP

DNall

The problem he mentions is not about the rules or chaplains grumbling about following them. There have been a few scandals lately, the Academy being one that was all over the news, in which people were pressured into religious activity, including being blocked from positions & other penalties for not doing so. Even SOS says you can't have a firm basis in core values without a religious background, and calls on our chaplains to proselytize in order to create that common moral basis.

I think a lot of CAP chaplains are lackadaisical with the rules, just like CAP members are compared to the way it works in the real military.

Chaplaindon

Dennis,

I would caution against using the word "proselytize." It's a "landmine."

In the US military and in CAP, proselytizing (active and overt indoctrination and recruitment of followers) is ONLY acceptable in strictly religious settings (cf: worship services, Sunday Schools, confirmation classes, Bar Mitvah prep, and so forth).There must not be ANY ambiguity on that point.

Chaplains are explcitly forbidden to engage in sectarian proselytizing while acting within secular roles.

First and foremost, EVERY chaplain in the military and CAP is a chaplain for ALL personnel who fall within their span of responsibility without any regard to the beliefs of each individual.  They are to provide pastoral care for ALL --not just those of their faith tradition or even their own Country (in wartime, chaplains are to minsiter to all sides).

Although I am a devout Christian, it would be a blatant violation of CAPR's and AFR's/AFI's for me to take advantage of --let's say-- my assignment as an Encampment Chaplain to try to convert a Muslim cadet to the Christian faith OUTSIDE of a voluntary worship service.

That hypothetical Muslim cadet would, of course, be welcome to attend our Christian worship service of her/his free will.

Likewise, it would be against the rules (and discriminatory) if --at the same hypothetical Encampment-- a Jewish cadet was told that she/he may not take the time out of their Friday evening activities to celebrate Sabbath telling her, "You can worship on Sunday with everybody else." Or a Jewish Chaplain to refuse to allow Christian worship during a SAREX because he already worshiped on the Sabbath.

On the other hand, once a member voluntarily enters a worship service that I (or another chaplain of whatever faith tradition, Christian or otherwise) lead, however, I/they can be as convicting or proselytizing as /they feel I/they must be.

While, as you say, SOS suggests --as normative-- the need for a "religious background" it cannot prescribe one faith/religious tradition as superior to another lest it violate the Establishment Clause of the Constitution.

Chaplains (and commanders) cannot get "lackadasical" or uninformed about religious accomodation in CAP. They must be engaged lest a USAFA-like scandal --wrought by a well-meaning but misled commandant (and challenged, thankfully by a courageous and stalwart chaplain, no less)-- recurr this time in CAP.
Rev. Don Brown, Ch., Lt Col, CAP (Ret.)
Former Deputy Director for CISM at CAP/HQ
Gill Robb Wilson Award # 1660
ACS-Chaplain, VFC, IPFC, DSO, NSO, USCG Auxiliary
AUXOP

DogCollar

Well, I can only speak for myself here in CAP, but proselytizing in hopes of finding "common moral" ground is not only impossible it is HIGHLY unethical!.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that we should rename "Moral Leadership" training to Ethical Leadership training.  Yes, there is a major difference between morality and ethics.

Chaplains who insist that their "Religious Freedom" is being compromised by the ethical standards established by the militaries own chaplains corp, are using that argument as a straw man to make a wider political statement.  That statement is that American Values are threatened by a perceived lack of morality, too which the prescribe unethical behavior as the antedote.

Sorry to get on my soap box, but obviously this touches a nerve.
Ch. Maj. Bill Boldin, CAP

Eclipse

Quote from: Chaplaindon on March 02, 2007, 03:57:07 PM
But there in lies a "bone of contention" with some. Although Chaplains (of all faiths, not just Christian) may pray (etc.) with impunity during worship, they are constrained by DoD policy, USAF regulation and instruction and CAPR's to be inclusive and nonsectarian while praying in secular (non-worship service) settings.

This is the specific issue I have had to personally deal with.

A chaplain, who knowingly had an audience of other faiths, refused to make his invocations non-denominational and then started trying to play the "religious restraint card".

After a heated discussion, we simply wnet without an invocation.  I left the event with VERY heated threats from him about all the complaints he was going to file.

This was after I had taken great pains to provide time for him to provide services as he saw fit the night before.

"That Others May Zoom"

DogCollar

Quote from: Eclipse on March 02, 2007, 06:17:57 PM
Quote from: Chaplaindon on March 02, 2007, 03:57:07 PM
But there in lies a "bone of contention" with some. Although Chaplains (of all faiths, not just Christian) may pray (etc.) with impunity during worship, they are constrained by DoD policy, USAF regulation and instruction and CAPR's to be inclusive and nonsectarian while praying in secular (non-worship service) settings.

This is the specific issue I have had to personally deal with.

A chaplain, who knowingly had an audience of other faiths, refused to make his invocations non-denominational and then started trying to play the "religious restraint card".

After a heated discussion, we simply wnet without an invocation.  I left the event with VERY heated threats from him about all the complaints he was going to file.

This was after I had taken great pains to provide time for him to provide services as he saw fit the night before.

Thank you for not giving into the threats from this chaplain.  I would expect that you would be backed up by both your wing chaplain and national chaplain as well.
Ch. Maj. Bill Boldin, CAP

Chaplaindon

If your chaplain so-refused in a secular CAP setting (OUTSIDE of a designated worship service/devotional or other singularly religious event) then the CC should relieve her/him from their position.

The situation is not unlike --loose anaology warning-- a pilot who adamantly refuses to adhere to CAPR 60-1 ("I'm gonna fly aerobatics in the squadron 172 and nobody's gonna stop me") claiming a non-exisitent "pilot restraint" card.

No one is restraining any clergyperson (or pilot) from exercising her/his freedoms (this being at least a semi-free Country) in general. We are as CAP and (in the case of endoprsed CAP chaplains who fall under USAF/HC regs too) as CAP/USAF clergypersons and/or pilots --who wish to wear the uniform and "fly" our airplanes, etc.-- must adhere to the CAPR's.

If they wish to challenge, grandstand or take an ethical stand against those rules (e.g. the Navy Chaplain I mentioned in an earlier posting) they should take it through channels or protest OUT of CAP uniform/activities.

To do otherwise is disrespectful, disobedient and teaches our cadets and SM to be likewise.
Rev. Don Brown, Ch., Lt Col, CAP (Ret.)
Former Deputy Director for CISM at CAP/HQ
Gill Robb Wilson Award # 1660
ACS-Chaplain, VFC, IPFC, DSO, NSO, USCG Auxiliary
AUXOP

DNall

Quote from: Chaplaindon on March 02, 2007, 05:57:08 PM
I would caution against using the word "proselytize." It's a "landmine."
I understand that. I believe everyone understands the rules & nature of the chaplain service both in & out of sectarian services. The issue that has come up primarily on the military side is not limited to chaplains exclusively but has involved some, and very much is proselytizing & outright discrimination.

The cases in which chaplains have been directly responsible is small, but they also have a primary responsibility in preventing similiar activity by memebrs in their care. That's been more of an issue on the CAP side where our general membership doesn't always behave itself or even understand the standards to which they are required to live.

DNall

Quote from: DogCollar on March 02, 2007, 06:04:16 PM
Well, I can only speak for myself here in CAP, but proselytizing in hopes of finding "common moral" ground is not only impossible it is HIGHLY unethical!.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that we should rename "Moral Leadership" training to Ethical Leadership training.  Yes, there is a major difference between morality and ethics.
Understand, and ML sessions are supposed to teach both ethics for leadership, AND a common moral ground - that's what core values are. In other words, I think it should have elements of moral instruction & of ethics. Indeed ethics cannot exist w/o a moral foundation. When talking about 12-18yo kids, you're building foundations, not capping the roof.

The portions of SOS I referred to (I just did this last week), specifically state that it's a problem getting people to live by core vallues because they don't have a shared religious upbringing - share judeo-christian values - as was the case in the past & that chaplains should work actively to remind those of us that do, and indoctrinate those that don't, and goes on to quote a couple bible versus while making the point. I crtainly wasn't offended, I thought it was right on, but it was right up on that line of pushing christianity, and advocating doing so as necessary to the AF mission. Obviously people hearing that can get over-zealous & go to far.

Chaplaindon

Dennis,

Well put. And relative to your statement that chaplains, "... have a primary responsibility in preventing similiar activity by memebrs in their care," I would suggest that (as a former squadron commander myself) commanders avail themselves of the expertise of their unit chaplain (or if their unit lacks an HC, then a local HC or one at another eschelon) on issues of religious accomodation so as to avoid minefields.

This is an area that a chaplain can be invaluable well beyond a monthly ML session.

This is an excellent reason to recruit/retain chaplain(s) into a local unit. Sadly, I have heard  members and commanders suggest that a unit is better of with a MLO in lieu of a chaplain.

A chaplain can be an enormous asset to a commander.

Rev. Don Brown, Ch., Lt Col, CAP (Ret.)
Former Deputy Director for CISM at CAP/HQ
Gill Robb Wilson Award # 1660
ACS-Chaplain, VFC, IPFC, DSO, NSO, USCG Auxiliary
AUXOP

DNall

The issue I'm primarily referring to in CAP, is lots of home-school cadets being recruited & you know some of those parents can be a bit extreme. If you get enough of them around then they become the majority opinion locally & start pushing other people around. I've seen a similar thing happen with a series of Jewish families pushing people out. I've seen all kinds of stupid crap between immature kids & adults that can't keep their eye on the ball. Chaplains should be there stomping on that even before the CC has a chance. They are critical, especially in our org, and we need about 4 times as many as we got, but it's real hard to find good ones that can live within those lines & take care of their people first & foremost. It's a big adjustment from civilian ministry.

Chaplaindon

Dennis,

I would disagree with your assessment that, "ML sessions are supposed to teach both ethics for leadership, AND a common moral ground - that's what core values are" on several fronts.

One is simple semantics/linquistics. Ethics and Morals actual/literally mean the same thing-truly. It's just that "morals" comes from the Latin noun mores and "ethics" comes from an earlier Classical Greek noun ethos coined by Aristotle. One is Latin, one is Greek. They SHOULD mean the same thing.

Core values MAY be one way of making a moral/ethical decision but they needen't be the only one. Classical ethics speaks of three (3) distinct ethical/moral standpoints: rules (deontological), goals (teleological) and virtues/values (aretological). Leadership requires situational application of all three standpoints usually in a blended form.

All three standpoints can be corrupted. Rules-based ethics can result in a Nuremburg defense, "I was just following orders." Goals-based can result in a Machiavellian "ends justify the means" posture. And virtues requires some inate or provided basis which can be good or bad. Take for example indoctrination that says that suicide/homicide bombings are good. The resulting virtues-based decision would be corrupted.

Real harm can (and I think is done -- in places around the world) by indoctrinating people so as to corrupt ones value-base

In MLs I usually challenge the Cadets to make a decision about an issue/topic and then tell me from what stance they made it. Usually the virtues/values stance --with a situational test often being, "what kind of a person/citizen/CAP member/etc. would I be if I did this versus that?"--- the one that brings about the best answers.

That having been said, Judeo-Christian ethics and that of the Bible are not without pitfalls as well (e.g. slavery, polygamy, etc.) and don't take into account the virtues incumbent in non-Judeo-Christian faith traditions. Why even atheists can be honest, loving, decent, virtuos people.

Lastly ML's don't so much "teach ethics" as they permit cadets to WRESTLE, EXPERIENCE, and EXPERIMENT with ethics/morals (and various situations) and see what a difference even a subtle difference in stance or standpoint can make in a leadership decision. Through this experiement --not unlike leadershp laboratory-- the cadets, hopefully, learn to make better decisions not just in CAP but in life.

When done right, MLs are kind of like the moral/ethical equivilent of Project-X.

There are so important that I really disagree with the MLO program. ML's are not the place for para-professionals. The ML leaders need to have academic training in ethics as most chaplains who completed divinity school have.
Rev. Don Brown, Ch., Lt Col, CAP (Ret.)
Former Deputy Director for CISM at CAP/HQ
Gill Robb Wilson Award # 1660
ACS-Chaplain, VFC, IPFC, DSO, NSO, USCG Auxiliary
AUXOP

CAPOfficer

The European Edition of the Stars & Stripes (2 March 07), has an article on this very subject.  On page four, a Navy Chaplain (Lt), with 16 years service was court-martailed and discharged from the service for invoking the name of Jesus in his services.  However, there are some other factors which weighted in on the discharge as well.  You can find the article at http://estripes.osd.mil/index.php?archive=202703761764088209645088238789 .

DNall

This could be a fun discussion.... I'm aware of the root & background of both words. The common modern meaning is that morals are the values & beliefs that determine right & wrong, while ethics are impassionate rules for behavior which may be based on morals, but need not be. Semantics though, as you say.

Understand the three points you mention, though I believe that's Aristotle again & I wouldn't actualize it that way, or as re-defined by Aquinas. I believe the way I would define it is in parallel to a Maslow style hierarchy. That on the bottom there is a foundation of virtue; based on your upbringing, religion, & strongest held beliefs; that this is where you get the right vs wrong instinct from & is most determinative of your actions. Up a layer is perceived morals, your goals if you will, the place where you think you are but aren't & wish you were but know you aren't, but the standard by which you try to judge others & hold yourself. There's ethics above that, which are rules not created by you & least determinative of your behavior. That includes both formal rules as well as cultural & societal norming & peer pressure, all of which can be good or bad.

The art applied in moral leadership sessions, in my opinion, is to guide participants to build that foundation of virtue, then to instruct in ethics drawn from core values to qualities & responsibilities of military leadership (NCOs in particular) so as to cause the individuals to actualize those external ethics to an increasingly organically integrated point up until they believe them to be basic controlling virtues for everything they say & do - just like one's faith in God should be.

The ML session you describe sounds a lot like sheltered little children being let out to exercises the moral muscle in a controlled environment where they can't hurt themselves & can be positively reinforced. That's fine for 5yos, it's naive in my opinion for the kids we work with. These kids are drinking, maybe using drugs, probably having sex, and we're usually dealing with the best of society. I prefer to treat them like adults & press my sessions toward indoctrination - yes real harm can absolutely be done by indoctrinating people to corrupt values, while real value is done indoctrinating them to equally strong belief in positive virtues. I believe they have plenty of time in the real world to practice, what I do is gain receptiveness from them that allows me to shape their personalities & future lives by controlling the foundation upon which they make all decisions. For sure that gets scary if you put a bad person in that spot, just as all good things can be turned to evil. I don't play games with these kids though. I need real measurable progress toward short-term goals, I need immediate behavior modification, I need independently functioning competent professional disciplined leaders, & I need to use that long-view technique to achieve these goals.

I'll be honest, I much prefer a chaplain in that role, I have enough power to shape their lives as a CP officer. I mean on the one hand it feels good when you turn one around & see them successful, and then there's others that go & join the military you're pretty sure from your influence & get themselves killed & you take responsibility for that too. I really would prefer to share that responsibility on another person & still have them driving topics toward my instructional objectives.

Chaplaindon

Thanks for the S&S link,

The article makes it clear that "He was court-martialed for disobeying orders" and that the praying "in the Name of Jesus" at "public military events" and that he wore his USN uniform to a political protest in front of the White House ... all significant no-no's.

It is sad that he lost his career and his "million-dollar pension" and that his family was evicted from military housing. Such can be the consequences of one's actions.

In the end, however sad it is that he lost his career (etc.) he wasn't discharged for praying in the Name of Jesus "in his services" as CAPOfficer, perhaps inadvertently wrote. 
Rev. Don Brown, Ch., Lt Col, CAP (Ret.)
Former Deputy Director for CISM at CAP/HQ
Gill Robb Wilson Award # 1660
ACS-Chaplain, VFC, IPFC, DSO, NSO, USCG Auxiliary
AUXOP

Chaplaindon

The ML session you describe sounds a lot like sheltered little children being let out to exercises the moral muscle in a controlled environment where they can't hurt themselves & can be positively reinforced. That's fine for 5yos, it's naive in my opinion for the kids we work with. These kids are drinking, maybe using drugs, probably having sex, and we're usually dealing with the best of society. I prefer to treat them like adults & press my sessions toward indoctrination - yes real harm can absolutely be done by indoctrinating people to corrupt values, while real value is done indoctrinating them to equally strong belief in positive virtues. I believe they have plenty of time in the real world to practice, what I do is gain receptiveness from them that allows me to shape their personalities & future lives by controlling the foundation upon which they make all decisions. For sure that gets scary if you put a bad person in that spot, just as all good things can be turned to evil. I don't play games with these kids though. I need real measurable progress toward short-term goals, I need immediate behavior modification, I need independently functioning competent professional disciplined leaders, & I need to use that long-view technique to achieve these goals.

Guess it's a good thing you're not a chaplain. 

Rev. Don Brown, Ch., Lt Col, CAP (Ret.)
Former Deputy Director for CISM at CAP/HQ
Gill Robb Wilson Award # 1660
ACS-Chaplain, VFC, IPFC, DSO, NSO, USCG Auxiliary
AUXOP

DNall

Quote from: Chaplaindon on March 02, 2007, 10:06:30 PM
Guess it's a good thing you're not a chaplain. 
You know I do conduct ML sessions... in a socratic method with the objectives I sated right from military sources that are directly applicable. You'll also find I have a better record in terms of results per capita or year than anyone you're likely to meet. I got kids at West Point, AFAcad, & the Naval Acad right now (the latest of 16 in 13 years - counting my time off from CAP), that would follow me to hell without even being asked, and they'll be happy to tell you stories about kids we worked with that would be dead or in prison if we hadn't intervened, but who are now trusted combat leaders, & business executives. My results don't lie, and those people young & old will tell you I'm a humble but confident person that discourages personal followership.

I would tell you in general that what I'm doing in those sessions is most related to leadership values & ethics sections taught in every military leadership course, and not so much related to chaplain duties. We have chosen to use chaplains there because we don't have a lot else for them to do, and they are good at certain aspects of it, which you seem to have a firm grasp on, but there are other elments that require additional work to accomplish what the military is doing with those sessions & to carry that beyond instruction to the daily mentoring process.

I would further stress that you MUST treat them like adults ALWAYS. They are not children, even if we do keep lowering the age, and if you treat them like children they will act like it & they will be offended & act out because of that treatment. You've heard the advice that you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have; well you should treat cadets like adult airmen cause that's what they want & are learning to be. They will then respond & strive to meet that challenge, which they are mostly capable of.

If indoctrination is the word you're worried about, it's not bad either. It's causing a person to belive according to an institutional philosophy. That's what you are supposed to be doing.