Why Congress Cannot Bar an Atheist Military Chaplain [View all]

[rug]

Posted: 07/31/2013 6:48 pm
Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph.D.

Jason Heap, 38, an atheist with a seminary degree, has applied to become a U.S. Navy chaplain, just in time to step into the hornet's nest called Congress. (Full disclosure: Heap graduated from the seminary that employs me and is well regarded by his former professors.) In applying openly as an atheist, he has raised questions about the Constitution, Congress, and the role of military chaplaincy.

Some lawmakers are trying to bar atheists from joining the chaplain corps -- the House approved an amendment to the defense authorization bill last week that was designed to keep the Pentagon from accepting atheist chaplains.

"The notion of an atheist chaplain is nonsensical; it's an oxymoron," said Rep. John Fleming, R-La., sponsor of the amendment. "It is absurd to argue that someone with no spiritual inclination should fill that role, especially when it could well mean that such an individual would take the place of a true chaplain who has been endorsed by a religious organization."

The military and Congress are sworn to protect the Constitution, which guarantees the free practice of religion. They are not supposed to impose state-mandated beliefs or prohibit people from practicing what they believe in order to serve their country. Insisting on belief in God (as if it were self-evident what the word "God" means) is a violation of the religious freedom of those in military service, including chaplains.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rita-nakashima-brock-ph-d/atheist-military-chaplain_b_3679755.html