How does a theistic chaplain minister to non-theistic personnel? This used to not be much of a concern for chaplains because most believed the old adage; “there are no atheists in foxholes.” The reality is, there are more atheists, agnostics and humanists, sometimes referred to as “Free Thinkers,” in the military than just about any other minority theological/philosophical group. For example, a military base with around 5000 personnel might have ten Muslims, but would sport nearly 150 atheists, agnostics and humanists. Knowing how to constitutionally, and more importantly, compassionately minister to this growing segment of our population is vitally important to our mission as chaplains in the United States Military.
For some reason, Christians get really freaked out when the topic of Free Thinkers comes up. And, admittedly, I have to shake off some of my Cold War images before I am comfortable engaging the topic. The people who claim these philosophies and ways of life are not uncomfortable to me in the least. And, the Free Thinkers who march along side us in our military have very little to do with the “duck and cover” communist atheism some of us may have been taught about. No, these folks are readers and thinkers and probably know more functionally about the Bible than many people in Christian pews. And, I think that’s why I like them so much. Most of them have at least thought about the things of faith.
What makes this ministry difficult? Well, to be honest, many Free Thinkers can come across as hostile and angry. Some come across as anti-Christian and I have to admit I have run across more than one website that has offended me by what was said against a faith that I hold dear. What I have to remind myself is that I’m sure many Free Thinkers have been hurt as they read sites from a theistic perspective that were equally unkind.
For dialogue to exist, theist and non-theists must be tolerant as members of the military. If Free Thinkers are truly going to take a full seat at the table then they must be tolerant of their theistic colleagues. We can’t have derisive slurs being thrown about denigrating someone’s religion (Darwin fish excluded, because those are just funny). And, likewise, theistic personnel have to respect a Free Thinkers right to non-theistic belief if they are to continue to enjoy their own religious freedoms. Spreading hate should not be tolerated in the military by anyone.
So, to answer the original question: The way you minister to non-theist personnel is the same way you minister to anyone who is not of your own faith tradition. You meet them where they are, listen to their needs, accommodate them where you can and refer when needed. You are not there to convert them or to debate them. You are there to be a chaplain to and for them. You may be the only person they can trust at a given point in their life. If a Free Thinker comes to your office and asks for a loaf of bread would you give them a stone instead? No. Be salt and light.
Here are two links for further reading that give a good take from each side:
2 comments:
:::What makes this ministry difficult? Well, to be honest, many Free Thinkers can come across as hostile and angry.::::
Yawn.
Guess what? When Christians talk about us, they come across as not only hostile and angry, but often dishonest and unhinged.
You'd be angry, too, if you had been on the receiving end on the typical christian's behavior towards atheists. I can't count the number of times that your cohorts have told me that I can't really mean it that I'm an atheist (TRY ME), that I'm refusing to believe in invisible space buddies because I want to steal, whore myself out or kill someone (funny, atheists don't need religion to know those things are bad...why don't you guys?), or that we're evil (see Jessica Ahlquist), or that we're just somehow worthless and incomplete without believing in a sky fairy.
Remarks like yours--you don't even think about how disgusting you sound to someone like me when you make them.
Hostile? Angry? We're not the ones who are threatening people over a cracker some child-rapist from the Vatican mumbled over, but plenty of christians sent PZ Myers death threats over something so ridiculous.
We're not the ones posting death threats against Jessica Ahlquist in Rhode Island--christians are.
We're not the ones trying to turn the US armed forces into warriors for a sky fairy--christians are.
We're not the ones praying to invisible friends rather than taking a child to a doctor--christians are.
We're not the ones knocking on your door while you're trying to enjoy some time with the family--christians are.
We're not the ones screaming from a street corner or haranguing you in parking lots to come to your delusion palaces--christians are.
Tell you what, champ--why don't you get the loonies on your side of the aisle to quit being hostile and angry before you dictate the behavior of atheists. Or were you not paying attention that day when motes and beams were under discussion?
Aquaria, please forgive me if any of my comments were offensive toward you. I am sorry if I have caused you any harm. Peace, USAF CHAPLAIN
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