Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Republicans Hold Up Defense Bill To Shove Religion Down Taxpayer's Throat

Taxpayers may find it hard to believe that the must-pass $500 billion defense budget could be held hostage to a mischievous amendment empowering evangelical chaplains to speak in the name of Jesus at nonreligious military gatherings. But that is the case in Congress, where hard-right Republicans have held up passage of the defense bill in an attempt to license zealot chaplains to violate policies of religious tolerance at secular ceremonies.

Despite the firm opposition of the Pentagon and ecumenical chaplain groups, House Republicans have been defending this egregious pro-evangelical thumb on the scale in negotiations with the Senate.

We expect the Senate, mindful of the nation's multidenominational legions fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, to reject the fine-print travesty. At its heart is religious intolerance - not respect of chaplains' consciences - and a naked attempt to elevate evangelical beliefs to primacy in the ranks. These very abuses caused a scandal at the Air Force Academy two years ago after cadets complained that ranking officers tolerated evangelical chaplains' proselytizing and discriminating on campus. (New York Times Editorial)

7 Comments:

A Jewish chaplain should crash one of those evangelical hootinannies and loudly proclaim that however holy he was, Jesus (Yeshu'a) was a mortal man and a pious Jew. (See Geza Vermes' book, "The Changing Faces of Jesus", and Paula Fredriksen's "Jesus of Nazareth: King of the Jews".) That ought to go over like a turd in the punchbowl!

Sauce for the (Christian propa)gander, me thinks.
posted by Anonymous, at 9/21/2006 2:08 PM

Actually in 'progressive' Christian circles, the emerging paradigm is that Jesus was enlightened or inspired by God, much like the Buddha was, but not literally the son of God. Apparently that was an expression back then that was used for any holy man. It can also be read metaphorically, even though He was also called Lamb of God, he obviously wasnt a sheep. The moniker Son of God could (should?) be taken in that same light. It works for those of us who have difficulty believing that God literally walked the earth in human form. Before orthodox Christians start screaming, this is an ALTERNATIVE viewpoint. One, of course, is free to believe what one wants. But the bottom line is, the military has no business pushing any religion.
posted by Anonymous, at 9/21/2006 5:01 PM

The crux of the Christian faith is that Jesus was not only the son of God, but a part of God. Many years ago, after my Jewish father had converted to Christianity, i asked him about the Jews for Christ groups. He said that it was impossible. Jews don't believe that Christ is the Messiah. If they are of such a belief they are christian. THerefore, "Christians" who do not believe that Christ was the son of God are not technically Christian. However, I would so much rather relate to a person who follows the teachings of Jesus, than a man who claimed to be christian, yet judged and condemned other men and women. So, in these Progressive Christian circles of which you speak...Excellent. It doesn't matter, one's faith. It's our bond with humanity that counts.
posted by jekelhyde, at 9/21/2006 8:58 PM

Betcha right now these same chaplains could speak about Mohammed, Buddha or Confucius all they want at "nonreligious gatherings" and no one would bat an eyelash.

Funny thing about Buddha and Confucius...seems like there are several Chinese scholars who have come to the conclusion that Christianity and ethics resulting from it are the reason for western nations having such a high standard of living.
posted by Anonymous, at 9/22/2006 2:07 PM

well, no war has ever been fought in the name of Buddha.
posted by jekelhyde, at 9/22/2006 2:40 PM

I'm sure the west's high standard of living was based on a miriad of complex factors; not just religion. And, although Jesus TAUGHT compassion and justice and helping the poor and marginalized, the conduct of the church as an institution has often been anything but--we still see this today in fundamentalists that continue to vote for a party that takes from the poor and gives to the mega-rich.
Also, read a book called the Parallel Sayings of Jesus and the Buddha. Not only did they teach pretty much the same things; the wording and parables used are astoundingly similar.
posted by Anonymous, at 9/23/2006 10:50 AM

Although, historically, I'm not certain, but i would imagine that they were both taught from the same ancient text. Sadly, though, more followers of Buddha adhere to his teachings than do the Followers of Jesus.
posted by jekelhyde, at 9/24/2006 12:01 PM