We've written before about a former Navy chaplain by name of Gordon James Klingenschmitt. This is the character who thought there was nothing wrong for him to pray in public in Jesus name wearing the uniform of the U.S. Navy. Klingenschmitt always said if people didn't like it, they could lump it. He didn't and doesn't understand that a Navy chaplain cares for all the sailors, even those who don't share his religious convictions. A Navy chaplain does not try to convert sailors, but helps them better understand and follow their own particular faith system. Klingenschmitt believed his job was to convert sailors - to lead them to make a commitment to his Christ.Klingenschmitt is back in the news, sort of. Not that anyone really cares much, but the story has some importance as it indicates the Christian right is still strong and has not given up its mission of turning the military into a branch of their type of militant fundamentalism.
The U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis has had a tradition of prayers before the noon lunch. Attendance is required. The midshipmen do not have a choice. The American Civil Liberties Union believes that this should not happen at a U.S. military installation or at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Now, the midshipmen don't have to join in or believe in what is being said, but they do have to attend and they do have to stand and they do have to listen. The ACLU claims, rightly, that there is a great deal of social pressure to join in and therefore wants the practice discontinued.
Back in 1995, the Anti-Defamation League tried without success to stop this practice.
Klingenschmitt is taken aback, which is his normal stance. No longer a chaplain, he still made his opinion known and it's worth reading as it exemplifies the disdainful attitude typical of his type toward those who are not fundamentalist Christians.
"Well good grief -- does the First Amendment protect the freedom of religious expression? Does it protect the freedom of speech? Or does it protect the easily offended ears of the bystander who really...is not harmed while other people are expressing their faith?"
Klingenschmitt went on to say that this country is not like the former Soviet Union where believers in Christ had to "lock Jesus in the chapel or go to underground churches."
Well, good grief, what would Klingenschmitt say to having Muslim or Hindu or Wicca prayers said at the noon lunch at Annapolis? He wouldn't like that one bit!
None of this has anything to do with the First Amendment or freedom of speech. It has to do with the U.S. Military, a part of the United States government, not recognizing any religion. Klingenschmitt doesn't agree with that part of the Constitution, and therefore pressures the U.S. government to force military personnel into participating in a particular Christian religious exercise.
It is not all right! It is wrong! It violates the Constitution! It is even against the New Testament. Once again, I would refer Klingenschmitt and all his fellow fundys to re-read the gospel stories of the one they claim as their "savior." Jesus was very clear about his stance on prayer. Do not, he said, stand in the public square and pray. That's what hypocrites do! Go into your closet and pray!
It's too bad Klingenschmitt doesn't believe the bible!
3 comments:
Why doesn’t someone sue to get a Muslim, a Jew, a Scientologist, a Hindu, etc to conduct mandatory services in some kind of rotation mandated by law? If one religion is free to do so, all should be treated equally. There are many religions in the USA and all should be treated equally regardless of their size or influence. What would the Navy do, if some Muslims in the audience took out their prayer rugs and found an area where they could perform their obligations to pray? Would snake handlers be allowed to pray some days? Where does it stop? I served and did have to attend mandatory services once a week during Boot Camp in 1944. I did object and was given some unpleasant choices. I conformed. I was 17 and a war was on. Luckily it never happened after Boot Camp, so I was ok.
The Armed services had better face up to this problem. It could be very divisive.
Bob Poris
It is very odd that though, you come from a secular, humanist position, I (coming from a conservative Christian position) agree with you. The chaplaincy is about caring for all, regardless of faith group. I find it equally as odd that Klingeschmitt somehow can't find the good grace and decency to just accept others as they are.
As a former missionary, I would be fascinated to see a rotation of religious leaders from other traditions rotate in the prayers. I would have found that to be more beneficial to the midshipmen than to ban the noon prayers altogether.
The sad thing is that Klingingsmitt seems to think that he is the only one that is correct and all those with different views are out of luck. He should be defrocked or whatever is done to run him out of his position. I think a court martial is appropriate. He is a disgrace to his office as a chaplain. It seems to me that the three chaplains that went down with their ship, when I was in the Navy, were the proper examples. I believe they served any and all they came in contact with, including atheists, agnostics, Jews, and any others that needed help, solace, or a kind word. That should be their role. There is no place for bigots in any of our services. All, willing to serve, should be treated with respect by all others, particularly officers.
Bob Poris
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