Chaplains and Religious Liberty

Published October 21, 2006 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time

IN THEORY

Chaplains and Religious Liberty

Q:

Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter reportedly issued instructions to Navy chaplains earlier this year that religious portions of events such as graduations or command changes should be "nonsectarian in nature" and that chaplains must "be willing to function in a pluralistic environment." The instructions have prompted a debate about whether a chaplain's ability to express his or her faith is justified in a secular setting and whether phrases such as "praying in Jesus' name" during an invocation could offend the ranks.The move has concerned members of Congress and evangelicals, who say that any restriction on religious liberty restricts their freedom of religion. They propose legislation that would allows chaplains to practice their faith, even in nonsectarian settings. What do you think? Do you think there should be such legislation? Or do you think the Navy secretary's direction was warranted?

A:

You can't have a "religious" portion to an event that is "nonsectarian." This violates definitions.

You certainly can ask a chaplain to be considerate of the various traditions present at an event, but all prayers conjure sectarian images.

Everyone has a unique set of beliefs. Religion is the expression of those beliefs. Even atheism involves a set of beliefs, if not in anything, at least in the self that is able to contemplate these thoughts. A chaplain is a person who represents a particular tradition with a unique set of instructions for expression.

Unfortunately, at many of public events, prayers and invocations are ceremonial and lack any depth or meaning. They are meant to showcase a particular allegiance by a politician or to appease a certain constituency. And in so doing, inevitably, someone is offended.

A true prayer cannot be offensive because it talks to the depths of the human experience. It conjures images of attainable dreams, such as peace and justice. It crosses all boundaries, sectarian, secular and denominational.

FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
In His Shoes Mission

Jesus Camp: Teaching Truth or Extremism

Published October 7, 2006 IN THEORY Jesus Camp: Teaching Truth or Extremism Q: Pope Benedict last week visited Veronica's Veil, which some Christians say was used to wipe the blood and sweat off of Jesus' face on his way to his crucifixion. It was a pope's first visit to the shrine in Manoppello, Italy, where the veil is said to bear the true likeness of Christ's face — a likeness that reportedly resembles the likeness on the Shroud of Turin. The pope stopped short of endorsing the image as that of Christ.But do you believe this likeness and others, like the shroud, are true depictions of Christ? What are your thoughts on what Christ looked like? A: When discussing "Jesus Camp," the word "zealous" comes to mind. It's a word derived from a first-century Jewish sect known as the "Zealots," a group formed in reaction to the occupation of the land of Israel and eventually led the revolt against Rome (66-70 AD). The Zealots could not accept their land being ruled by any principle other than the authority of God. At least one of Jesus' disciples, Simon, was a member of the Zealots. I suspect that Pastor Becky Fischer, her group and the countless other denominations that align themselves with her teachings, understand the United States being "occupied" and ruled by principles that are in conflict with God's commandments. And here lies the problem, because you can only approach such an idea subjectively. How dare we answer the question, what is the will of God? To teach a six-day-creation? That the war in Iraq is justified? That homelessness is acceptable in every major city? Secondly, I need to comment on the target audience of the "Jesus Camp." Children don't need religion. They need faith. They need to believe in hope and love. As so called "mature" people, we need to offer our children stability, not chaos. What amazes me the most is our audacity to teach young children about religion. Have we created a good enough world that we're ready to pass along the systems by which we've arrived here? Or do we need to pause and pay heed to the words of Jesus: "Let the little children come to me, for to such belong the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 19). Our children can teach us a thing or two about life that we've forgotten. I would like to attend a "Jesus Camp" run by the children who can teach us what comes so naturally to them. Things such as, forgiving and forgetting just a short while after they have been hurt, or noticing small miracles such as a frog jumping. Mostly, they can teach us to trust and depend on each other — building the community — something which is the basis of all true religion. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church In His Shoes Mission