Atheist Chaplains in the Military? Really?

Okay, I admit I don’t understand atheism and humanism, but this news story caught my attention because of my military service.  I commented on a similar story that came out last year.  Since it hadn't been mentioned since, I assumed (remember what they say about assuming) that the idea had gone dead in the water.  However the story re-emerged recently, prompting more than just a short Facebook post.

Over the course of my military career, I dealt with Chaplains on a fairly regular basis.  For those of you that don’t know, Chaplains are basically military pastors, reverends, priests, etc., that serve the spiritual needs of those in the military.  They are Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Islamic, and others.  They are required to minister to others, sometimes to others of different faiths.  They hold services, pray, and administer faith-based rituals like communion, last rites, confession, etc.  Sometimes this happens inside a chapel on a base, sometimes it occurs in the barren wastelands of far-off battle fields.  Regardless of where they are assigned, they do their job.

So enter the atheists and humanists.  They want their own “spiritual leader.”  Wikipedia (which I don’t normally quote) says that “Humanism is a group of philosophies and ethical perspectives which emphasize the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers individual thought and evidence (rationalism, empiricism) over established doctrine or faith (fideism).”

I believe there are two types of atheists.  The first group, which I call true atheists, have heard the truth but could care less about God, about anyone else’s belief/practice in God, and about God in the world.  They care as much about and for God as anyone else really cares about what the person in front of them in line at McDonald’s orders for lunch.  The second group has heard the truth, know it’s the truth, and try to abolish any mention and reference to religion anywhere in public because they don’t want to be confronted by the truth.

So, I believe the true atheists don’t need an atheist “chaplain.”  It’s non-sequitur.  It’s an oxymoron.  It defies logical explanation.  So what could an atheist gain from a “chaplain?”  What encouragement could an atheist chaplain give a fellow atheist?  “Take two aspirin and call me in the morning?”  “Go and hug a tree and everything you've done wrong (they can’t call it “sin” because “sin” is a religious reference) will be forgotten?”  What guidance could an atheist “chaplain” give to fill the void in that person?  “Go out drinking?”  “Go out carousing?”  “Go wash your car every day?”  “Go pet your dog?”  “Be nice to your kids?”  Sorry, I just don’t get it.

Now the humanists I sort of understand, it appears like they put their faith in fellow man.   It’s easy to put your faith in something (or someone) you can actually see, but is that really faith?  What do you get from fellow man that you take with you into whatever afterlife humanists believe in?  I’m not even sure they believe in an afterlife, but think of it this way: almost every culture has a basic belief of some type of afterlife, somewhere you or your spirit goes after you die.  So what does a humanist get from a faith in fellow man that lasts forever?  How many of the items buried with the Pharaohs did the Pharaohs actually take with them to their understanding of an afterlife?  None.  So what does a humanist gain from a faith in fellow man?  A warm comfy feeling?  Real peace?

The problem with putting your complete faith in mankind is that mankind’s sense and believe of right and wrong changes.  Society’s morals change.  What is allowable one day isn't the next.  There are too many differing opinions, beliefs, and morals for mankind to be an anchor for anyone.  There are subcultures and subgroups, each with their own belief systems and morals that outside of their own group mean nothing.  And other than Jesus, there have been no perfect human beings on this planet.  Ever.  So why would someone put their complete faith in a fallible entity?  What can you strive for as a follower?

Chaplains in the Navy have different uniform symbols to identify their general faith:  Christians use a cross, Jews have the Ten Commandments tablet, Muslims have the crescent, Buddists use what looks like a ship’s wheel.  What symbol in the world would an atheist/humanist chaplain have on his/her uniform?  A unicorn?  A human head?  A tree?

It’s a lot harder (and I would say even more rewarding) to put your faith in something (or a God) you can’t see.  God is perfect, despite recent allegations from a leftist academian claiming He is a white racist.  Obviously that individual doesn't know God or they couldn't have uttered that comment.

Jesus was perfect.  Think about that for a second.  He was perfect His entire life!  Think back on your childhood (or if you’re a bit older like I am your own child).  Were you perfect?  Did you always obey your parents?  Always do your chores?  Never talk back?  His entire life was without sin!  Why?  It was customary in ancient Israel to offer up an unblemished animal as a sacrifice to God.  You were giving your best to God to atone for your sins.  Jesus was the unblemished sacrifice for our sins.  He had to be perfect!  The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  We deserve to die for our sin, but having a personal relationship with Christ means the penalty for our sins has already been paid.  The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (also Romans 6:23).

So, what can an atheist or humanist chaplain give to his/her followers?  What real encouragement can be given?  What absolution?  What promise of eternal life in Heaven with God and Jesus?

Philippians 2:10-11 says “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  On that day, there will be two groups of people: believers who will rejoice and be glad saying “He IS LORD!!” and non-believers who will say “Oh my, He really IS Lord!”

You don’t want to be in the second group.  Come to a saving relationship with Christ NOW.  Satan tells you there will be a better time to do it, they you can do it tomorrow, or now isn't convenient.  But we’re not promised our next breath!

So what can an atheist/humanist chaplain offer?  Beats me.  Seems a little stupid to me.  (My daughter would say “We don’t say stupid in our house.”)  But there it is.  Again, I’m no theologian, so what do I know?  This is just my two cents … for what it’s worth.