Muslim Chaplain Covers Lots of Ground to Serve Soldiers

This Chaplin by “joking” diverts attention from the puzzle of the primary symbol of Islam The truth may well be an embarrassment. Here are some ideas.
It is clear from archeology that the moon was a symbol of ancient pagan religions. Bad PR for Islam one would think. The symbol also confirms the view that the author of the Quran was a created being because “he” swears by bits of creation such as the moon. In surah 74:32 he calls the moon to witness.
Yahweh by way of contrast swears by Himself, because there is nothing greater than Himself.
Not a good look for a religion seeking acceptance by the thoughtful.
Don’t get me started on that chief pagan idol in the ka’ba named Hubal and its links to Allah/Mohammad....

If you're going to provide Evangelical chaplains, you have to provide Islamic ones.

There is some truth in what you say, Jude, but there is no requirement...and there cannot be one, because the first issue with any member of the military will remain the standards and needs of that branch of service.

What many don't know is that chaplains are nominated to the military by their religion's nominating group (called an endorser.) First, if that religion doesn't HAVE a nominating group, then they don't get ANY of their chaplains into the service. The government would be prevented from evaluating religious strengths and weaknesses of prospective military members for obvious reasons. Therefore, the denomination must weigh those religious things and forward the names of those they consider to be qualified representatives of their faith group.

At that point, the military chaplaincy might LIKE to have representatives of all kinds of faith groups, but they are restricted by the needs and standards of the military. For example, the military has health, age, capability, and physical fitness standards. If candidates are nominated who don't meet those standards, then the military simply cannot bring them on.

Invariably, the military will look first at those who are fully qualified, and then it will look at those who are best qualified. If none are fully qualified, then they won't be brought into service.

Additionally, the needs of the military are determined by the force that they have on hand. For example, if less than 1% of their troops are Muslim, then they must consider that in bringing on Muslim chaplains. I'm guessing that the Army has a total of approx 1400 chaplains. One percent of that number is about 14. Spread across the entire world that's not too many. Therefore, they cannot always have these "low density" chaplains everyplace every Muslim soldier might be assigned. (The tendency would be to have them at higher echelons....division, corps, support units etc., so they can move more easily from area to area.)

On the other hand, our most numerous denomination in the military was "baptistic." After that would be Catholic. There's a strong need for both of these, but there is still the requirement to meet the standards.

Something others might not know is that your denomination can fire you from the military by declaring you no longer an acceptable representative of their denomination. That person will probably be gone from the military within the year. The only way they could stay would be to immediately find another denomination to accept them AND to move to the head of their line of nominees. Additionally, the losing denomination must agree. (Generally, if you get fired by your denomination, they have a reason.)

Incidentally, Klingenschmitt, the navy chaplain many think was released from the Navy for praying in Jesus' name, was fired by his denomination. That is the reason he was released from active duty. At that point the Navy had no choice.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.