I thought this should deserve its own post. There was another thread started yesterday that I felt should be addressed. Sorry if it is too lenghty...
There was a news story that occurred last Sunday, where a group of 29 Marines were baptized in the ocean off the coast of Camp Pendleton. *Story:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/08/marines-headed-for-afghanistan-undergo-christian-baptism-in-ocean-off-camp-pendletonwaterare-.html. I would like to take a moment and attempt to address the remarks and concerns that I read in the thread. The first problem that the OP had with the story was that it was apparently unheard of by the OP that it is a regular occurrence for Servicemen and Women to be baptized before deployment. There was also another issue where the OP felt that this violated the separation of church and state.
On the first issue the OP had. It is not an uncommon practice for Servicemen and Women to be baptized before being deployed. The military chaplain services are the oldest branch in the U.S. military to be in uniform, dating back to the Revolutionary War. They do in fact offer whatever a Serviceman or Woman wants before, during and after deployment. They key word being “wants”, I’ll elaborate on that later. Faith is an unusual thing for those who do not practice it. But for those who do, we should not restrict their religious freedoms because we may not practice or agree with them.
On the second issue the OP had, the separation of church and state. I see not one issue with these baptisms. On the issue of the “Separation of Church and State”, the 1st Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. Basically in this case, the Marine Corps has not established any religion, nor are they prohibiting the exercise of any one. You’ll note in the 2nd paragraph of the article that the 29 Marines were “all volunteers”. Meaning that they were there because they wanted to be there, that they wanted to freely exercise their 1st Amendment rights.
I noticed in the comments to the thread that some had the feeling that this event was mandatory, namely because it had a name: “Operation Sword of the Spirit”. This might not mean what you would think. The military quite frequently calls tasks, initiatives, programs and the like Operation Something or Other. This “Operation” in particular is what is called a “program”. Programs are generally services that are offered to Servicemen and Women that are not required. You’ll also notice in the article that they used the word program in the 2nd paragraph as well. Services are offered to all, but are not required by any.
I would like to take a moment and talk about the “chaplain” to perhaps educate some on what they are and what they do. Though originally the word, chaplain, had Christian origins, it is today applied to men or women of other religions—and sometimes, to individuals claiming no religion. In the Marines, the chaplains have to adhere to some simple rules: PROVIDE religious ministry and support to those of our own faith. FACILITATE for all religious beliefs. CARE for all Marines, Sailors and their family and friends. ADVISE commanders to ensure the free exercise of religion.
So let’s break that down, they “provide” their religious services (not mandate) to members of their own faith, be they Christian, Jewish or Muslim. They must also provide services for others of other religious or non-religious beliefs. The caring part is easy to understand, and they must also protect the 1st Amendment rights of their fellow Marines from command. To me this seems an admirable job.
Words of an army chaplain about the current war…
The first thing that was unique about serving in Iraq was the whole Muslim-Christian question. The media had portrayed the whole war in the beginning as a possible religious war. Of course, the people of Iraq did not believe that and nor did we. Because the majority of our military is not Muslim, the first thing the Chaplains are responsible for is briefing everyone from the General down to the Private about what a Muslim is; what the Muslim holy days are; and what religious festivals were and why they were so important to the people of that region.
By understanding them, we could not only become a part of their lives, we could change some of the bad feelings. For instance, right before the war started in Iraq, there was this famous Haj — a religious pilgrimage. In the past, as people would go on pilgrimage to the temple, they would be shot by Saddam's guards. When we were there on the roads seeing it happen, we just became part of it. We would clap at people and they would look at us like, 'Are you going to shoot us?' We were just very happy to celebrate the religious time in their lives. It was the first thing I believe we did that won the hearts of the Iraqi people.
From there I met with the local head Imam . I said to him, 'For me everything has to do with relationships and all I'm here to do today is to meet you and see what we can do, so that in the long run — long after I leave — we have a relationship built on faith."
From that day on, it was win-win; there were no attacks on our guys in that region, there was only support, more support from them, and more money came from us to rebuild their roads and bring them water. So all of a sudden they were helping us understand them and they would meet with me, and the Imam would say, "Explain Christianity to us, we don't have a clue."
You certainly see that once you go to war, people may not turn to prayer, but they discover a spiritual side — something deeper inside of them that they have never discovered. The problem is, they don't know how to name it.
Before crossing into Iraq from Kuwait, several hundred Soldiers came to mass, expecting a blessing and some type of absolution prior to combat. They spoke about their families and wished them well, "just in case." I felt like a shepherd leading the flock with care, knowing that we walked by faith and not by sight.
Chaplains are deemed to be “non-combatants” but several have received the Medal of Honor. Why is that do you suppose? Chaplains at times learn a lot about medical duties, and provide aid to injured Soldiers and Marines in combat. They also go out of their way to learn other non-combat duties such as navigation and operating a radio.
Now some here I understand dislike those with faith. I have read many, many comments on these boards in regard to those with any sort of faith. Simply put you hate it, and will at every opportunity bash those with a differing opinion. I get it that there are those who like to inflict their religion on others to a point of it being completely intolerable. But to use that as fodder to flat out bash those who wish the free exercise of their religion is another thing.
The majority of Marines in particular in combat feel that the chaplain boosts morale. That says a lot about the job, considering that a good number of that majority are not religious. Whether someone seeks advice or just someone to talk to, the chaplain offers complete confidentiality within his office. With no fear of reprisal or judgment, they find the chaplain easy to approach about their problems. They listen without criticism. You see any personnel can just go and talk to a chaplain without any repercussions. And usually the average Serviceman or Woman will have regular access to a chaplain because they are always there. They make it their job to be on the front lines to offer services and counseling to those who are most in need of it.
And since the majority to want them there, I feel that they should be. Whether or not I believe in what they preach or what religion they are a part of. I want my tax dollars paying for their services. If it is a benefit to the average Serviceman or Woman, then we should never take it away nor hinder its operation. We have a good habit here in America when it comes to military cut backs. We take away the services and programs that we offer to those who serve and their familys making their life all the harder.
Medal of Honor recipients just from the Vietnam era…
Chaplain Liteky distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while serving with Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. He was participating in a search and destroy operation when Company A came under intense fire from a battalion size enemy force. Momentarily stunned from the immediate encounter that ensued, the men hugged the ground for cover. Observing 2 wounded men, Chaplain Liteky moved to within 15 meters of an enemy machine gun position to reach them, placing himself between the enemy and the wounded men. When there was a brief respite in the fighting, he managed to drag them to the relative safety of the landing zone. Inspired by his courageous actions, the company rallied and began placing a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy's positions. In a magnificent display of courage and leadership, Chaplain Liteky began moving upright through the enemy fire, administering last rites to the dying and evacuating the wounded. Noticing another trapped and seriously wounded man, Chaplain Liteky crawled to his aid. Realizing that the wounded man was too heavy to carry, he rolled on his back, placed the man on his chest and through sheer determination and fortitude crawled back to the landing zone using his elbows and heels to push himself along. Pausing for breath momentarily, he returned to the action and came upon a man entangled in the dense, thorny underbrush. Once more intense enemy fire was directed at him, but Chaplain Liteky stood his ground and calmly broke the vines and carried the man to the landing zone for evacuation. On several occasions when the landing zone was under small arms and rocket fire, Chaplain Liteky stood up in the face of hostile fire and personally directed the medivac helicopters into and out of the area. With the wounded safely evacuated, Chaplain Liteky returned to the perimeter, constantly encouraging and inspiring the men. Upon the unit's relief on the morning of December 7, 1967, it was discovered that despite painful wounds in the neck and foot, Chaplain Liteky had personally carried over 20 men to the landing zone for evacuation during the savage fighting. Through his indomitable inspiration and heroic actions, Chaplain Liteky saved the lives of a number of his comrades and enabled the company to repulse the enemy. Chaplain Liteky's actions reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Chaplain Watters distinguished himself during an assault in the vicinity of Dak To. Chaplain Watters was moving with one of the companies when it engaged a heavily armed enemy battalion. As the battle raged and the casualties mounted, Chaplain Watters, with complete disregard for his safety, rushed forward to the line of contact. Unarmed and completely exposed, he moved among, as well as in front of the advancing troops, giving aid to the wounded, assisting in their evacuation, giving words of encouragement, and administering the last rites to the dying. When a wounded paratrooper was standing in shock in front of the assaulting forces, Chaplain Watters ran forward, picked the man up on his shoulders and carried him to safety. As the troopers battled to the first enemy entrenchment, Chaplain Watters ran through the intense enemy fire to the front of the entrenchment to aid a fallen comrade. A short time later, the paratroopers pulled back in preparation for a second assault. Chaplain Watters exposed himself to both friendly and enemy fire between the two forces in order to recover two wounded soldiers. Later, when the battalion was forced to pull back into a perimeter, Chaplain Watters noticed that several wounded soldiers were lying outside the newly formed perimeter. Without hesitation and ignoring attempts to restrain him, Chaplain Watters left the perimeter three times in the face of small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire to carry and to assist the injured troopers to safety. Satisfied that all of the wounded were inside the perimeter, he began aiding the medics ... applying field bandages to open wounds, obtaining and serving food and water, giving spiritual and mental strength and comfort. During his ministering, he moved out to the perimeter from position to position redistributing food and water, and tending to the needs of his men. Chaplain Watters was giving aid to the wounded when he himself was mortally wounded. Chaplain Watters' unyielding perseverance and selfless devotion to his comrades was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Chaplain of the 3d Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces. In response to reports that the 2d Platoon of M Company was in danger of being overrun by a massed enemy assaulting force, Lt. Capodanno left the relative safety of the company command post and ran through an open area raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs, and severed a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid. Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help their wounded comrades and, with calm vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by voice and example to the valiant Marines. Upon encountering a wounded corpsman in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15 yards away, Lt. Capodanno rushed a daring attempt to aid and assist the mortally wounded corpsman. At that instant, only inches from his goal, he was struck down by a burst of machine gun fire. By his heroic conduct on the battlefield, and his inspiring example, Lt. Capodanno upheld the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.
Nothing is too good for our Servicemen and Women. And that is just about what we give them.
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