U.S. Military – Getting It Right

The U.S. military has a proud tradition of chaplaincy. It is the job of military chaplains to address the pluralistic nature of the spiritual needs of its soldiers and sailors. A young marine recently stated that he was amazed at the chaplains in Iraq who went unarmed with his company into the “hot” zones where everyone else was “armed to the teeth.” It takes “guts” to fight but it also takes a special kind of courage to go into harms way. Yet, this is what the U.S. military chaplaincy corps does to address the spiritual needs of its combatants. The chaplain’s job is to help the soldier or sailor to make meaning out of whatever emotional or spiritual dilemma is facing them. This is a difficult task. The presence of unarmed chaplains also speaks volumes to those who may be of a “non-religious” nature. In living memory, chaplains have faced war with their service people as far back as World War II. This is an area that the military has some real skill in dealing with. America’s soldiers and sailors of many different religious persuasions have answered the call to serve in the military.

There are some faiths that are pacifist in nature which ought to disqualify individuals from serving in the military in combatant roles. Such individuals may serve as paramedics or in some other non-combatant position. The military may not be able to afford chaplains from every religious group, so chaplains must be screened so as to be flexible in their ability to support soldiers whose belief systems differ from their own.

Based on testimonies heard on public radio of soldiers who have been in Iraq or Afghanistan, soldiers repress their emotional side to survive in highly stressful combat situations. As a result, the religious moment in a service or a conversation with a chaplain may be a vital lifeline to the survival of the emotional and spiritual sides of America’s military heroes and heroines. The military should not make the mistake that is happening in America’s hospitals which are cutting back on chaplaincy staffing due to economic pressures. The emotional and spiritual needs of our fighters can not be left to chance. Keeping a strong chaplaincy corps is one area where the U.S. military is “getting it right” and should keep up the good work.

Un-American to Get Flu-shot If Against your Values

Polls may “show a majority of Americans are concerned about the H1N1 virus (swine flu),” but it is perfectly ethical to decline the vaccine. You can have my place in line.

Vote “no” for vaccinations, if you believe that to be the right course. In this case, being “American” is to be held to a higher ethical standard than simply following mob behavior. I value freedom of choice over the misguided expectation of fifty-two weeks per year of good health. I value not being herded into a behavior – such as getting vaccinated - that is possibly detrimental to my health. The science behind vaccinations is not exact: seeking to prevent an illness by putting small amounts of that illness into the body has been shown to backfire. There are schools of thought that blame autism on the practice of getting young children vaccinated.

Vote “yes” for toughening up immune systems via nutrition, rest, and reasonable life-pace. Do medical doctors get trained in any of these areas in medical school? Why must a shot or a pill be the answer to all “dis-ease”-related questions? Why must health-related discomforts be viewed as illness?

My wife has finished her week of the flu, and I am finishing mine. I did not like it, but I prefer it to willingly allowing a medical practitioner or pharmacist to vaccinate me. The only person I am aware of who has received the vaccine is my 85-year-old father who promptly developed flu-like symptoms as a result. “Next!”
-- Mike Hoskinson

Afghanistan, 2009 – Send in the Clowns

Is it time to seize the high ground and bring cultural resources to the Afghani people? Eight years after the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, it is possible that the Taliban and al-Qaeda have been made stronger by our presence. The U.S. President is hearing arguments for increased troop strength. Might this not be a good time to try something different to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people?
Send in the clowns! Instead of 40,000 more troops, send in the equivalent number of U.S. civilians armed only with their crafts – from dance to knitting. Why not an entire circus? Set up regional USO-type shows featuring a host of players who mix with the crowds so that the Afghans are part of the experience as well. We learn from them. They learn from us. The military chaplains could guide volunteer priests, imams, rabbis, and so on - who would interface with the local religious leaders – not to convert, but to conflate – as in blow together. Blow on a pipe of peace together; blow on a spiritual ember of good will.
When it’s winter in Afghanistan, the Taliban and al-Qaeda move to Pakistan. This may be our best opportunity to gain moral ground with the Afghanis, by making close contact between non-military Americans and the people of the cities and villages of Afghanistan. Bring educators; bring trainers. Bring movies and media. Send in U.S. cultural representatives, including those prepared to listen and celebrate the local customs and values. Send in the filmmakers to put the Afghanis on film that the people may have new sources of pride for the culture of their own ancient civilization.
Where would these resources be obtained? Think back to the overwhelming response to President Kennedy’s call for the Peace Corps. If President Obama were to make such a call for a “Culture Corps,” would he not get droves of “20-something” volunteers who are jobless in a tough economy? Such a cultural exchange would be win-win for those who could return with “service to Afghanistan” stamped on their resumes.
Send architects, builders, and poets. What we are about here is the rebuilding of the heart and soul of a nation. We are walking on hallowed ground. Air force planes that carry large numbers of troops and armament can transport an entire circus across the globe. Send musicians and hula dancers. They don’t have to be our best, but they must have a heart for a people that have survived and struggled for ages. Bring in the clowns - to share and to learn from the Afghani people. This will do wonders for U.S.-Afghan relations, and may help cut the need for more troops in the future.

Go Nuclear: it is Logical, Political and Moral

Logical: the use of nuclear power has proven to be vital in saving lives through medical technology, lighting a city, or powering a submarine. Further discoveries await us in how this energy source can be used in replacing fossil fuels.

Political: President O’Bama was briefed on the most recent Iranian nuclear site even before he was sworn into office. He wisely chose not to use this information against the Iranians, but to continue to focus on bringing Iran into regional and world dialogue. Russia and the United States have 96% of the nuclear weapons in the world, and are negotiating to bilaterally reduce those numbers. This sets a good precedent for all nations to enter into peace-making dialogue, even North Korea and Iran. North Korea is showing signs of coming back to the six-party talks. Iran is displaying lots of bluster, while at the same time showing signs of being willing to talk. It will be important to work with both countries in ways that allow them to preserve their dignity and save face.

Moral: nuclear energy is not good or bad. It is simply energy. The manner in which nuclear energy is used makes it moral by being destructive or constructive. Religious leaders of all persuasions must get into this conversation and help sway the tone toward peaceful vigilance toward more garrulous nations such as North Korea and Iran. This is an issue that can be addressed from the pulpit since it does not endorse any particular political figure.

The 21st century sees an Earth shrinking rapidly due to the speed of communication and transportation. Such a global village must harness all the constructive power available from nuclear energy, and in the process, strengthen cooperation between all nations. I pray that the current trend toward dialogue and weapon reduction continues.

Confession Prayer

Good & gracious God: we humbly come into your presence reminding ourselves that you are worthy of our thanks & praise.

Your loving, creative hand placed us here, and we are not alone.

We are blessed with the companionship of family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers on the street.

We are also blessed with the companionship of other creatures - the birds of the air, the animals we call pets that share our homes.

Because we are imperfect beings, there will always be mistakes we make intentionally or unintentionally that hurt others in your creation.

We come to you sorry for the wrongs we have done.

We ask your forgiveness even for times we have sought your will, yet gone our own merry way disregarding your road signs.

You love and accept us right where we are - just as we are. Help us to know the error of our ways.

Help us to pause to reflect a few moments, and call to mind a time or two that calls out for healing and forgiveness - no matter how trivial or overwhelming. (PAUSE)

We are truly grateful for your loving, guiding touch in our hearts and minds - that reaches into our inmost beings, even in the very moment when we have the courage to open up to you.

As the birds above, may our lives sing of your creation with ever increasing joy.
As our beloved pets, may we purr with your love & bark with the excitement of the bounty of your creation.

All this we ask in the holy name of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.