Religion.

This is coolbert:

Interesting program yesterday on national Public Radio about the current role of the chaplain in the U.S. military. It is germane to the previous post about the U.S. Air Force Academy and the accusation of excessive religiosity.

It seems that about 60 % of the chaplains in the U.S. military can be categorized as evangelicals. Mostly Southern Baptists. This makes sense to a degree. A very large percentage of military enlisted are from southern states. It only follows that to serve this flock of southerners, who will mostly be Baptist, you would have a large percentage of Baptist ministers.

This does create a problem?? So it might be perceived by some. Southern Baptists are not shy about advertising their faith and proselytizing. And these chaplains have been accused in some instances in making unwanted and unveiled attempts at conversion.

The military DOES have strict regulations [regs] regarding proselytizing within the ranks. A chaplain CAN proselytize. But ONLY among the UN-CHURCHED. Those troops that have not declared a religion. This is the reg that governs the chaplains.

Generally speaking, proselytizing in this manner should not create a problem. Having a religion is NOT a bad thing. It is a good thing. For one in the military perhaps even more so than those in civilian life.

Excessive and unwanted proselytizing directed against an UN-CHURCHED troop I can see creating resentment and a problem. But, generally speaking, this is not happening. Concerns at this point are probably excessive, but concerns that at least should be heard and heeded with due vigilance. You do NOT want to create dissension within the ranks.

But, again, this seems NOT to be happening!

coolbert.