I whole heartedly agree with your POV, UP2. Secular Humanism is a hollow well to draw from regarding spiritual nourishment of any kind. It's a false and empty ideology that is incapable of meeting the very profound and real problems that our men and women in uniform unfortunately have to deal with. I cannot believe that it is being given any serious thought of being implemented.

I find the entire idea of chaplains for atheists to be bizarre. As for "counselors" in the military, that's what the chain of command is for. There is one thing I am particularly glad about: that I got the hell out before mission accomplishment became secondary to social experimentation.

When the armed forces of a country places the social, sexual, and/or religious "needs" of the individual ahead of getting the job done, that truly does demonstrate that the country is on an express elevator to Hades.

Isn't the term "atheist chaplain" an oxymoron? If one needs spiritual cousel, why go to a priest that doesn't believe in God? Why be a Chaplain if you don't believe in a God? I don't understand it.

I too agree with your point of view up2 and am glad to see you state it.

This sort of proposal is a service to the Devil and if it is in fact implemented then sebe is spot on with his comment about "the country is on an express elevator to Hades".

I feel fortunate to be old and perhaps I might be fortunate enough to depart this earthly existence before the final days.

Atheist Chaplains, hmmmm in layman's term that is probably to be interpreted as Anti-Christian Crusaders.

SO what bylaws or standards of conduct does an athiest live by? Is there good and evil, right and wrong? Atonment for your sins? Wouln't mind getting a look at their version of salvation....

My sense is that for them, there is no heaven , no hell, no God, no devil, no afterlife (in a religious sense) whatsoever. For atheists,, the maxim is:

Life's a b*tch - and then you die.

Kinda cuts the eulagy short...

Yes it does, HMJC. I am not an expert upon these guys, but their belief system involves a semblance to the Christian Golden Rule: do unto others what you would have done to you. However, their beliefs do not include anything to do with a supernatural presence. They believe in the "goodness" of mankind that is achievable via humans without any reliance towards a spiritual being. As Kurt Vonnegut, an author of Slaughter House Seven (5?)and Breakfast of Champions, and a devout believer in Secular Humanism, stated a disbelief in any after life and equated death to nothing more than sleeping. No judgement day. No heaven. No Hell. No purgatory. Just a big sleep.

Sleep with extreme decomposition....

Atheism is accepted within some religious and spiritual belief systems, including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Raelism, Neopagan movements such as Wicca, and nontheistic religions. Jainism and some forms of Buddhism do not advocate belief in gods, whereas Hinduism holds atheism to be valid, but some schools view the path of an atheist to be difficult to follow in matters of spirituality.

According to a 2012 report by the Pew Research Center, people describing themselves as "atheist" were 2% of the total population in the US, and within the religiously unaffiliated (or "no religion") demographic, atheists made up 12%. According to a 2012 global poll conducted by WIN/GIA, 13% of the participants say they are atheists

Now, with all of this said; I was raised and confirmed a Methodist. My Father is Jewish, and my wife is Catholic by birth. I lived in Montana for a good amount of years and love heavy metal music. Therefore I have come to the conclusion that I am a Heavy Metal Jewish Cowboy... My point being is that the multitude of faiths made it difficult when it came to exposing my children to faith and the Lord growing up. They were always taught that God does exist and that their actions affect more than themselves. I taught them to be reverent however; I also taught them that God expects them to do their part. Just praying for something to happen isn't always the answer; for guidance yes but not for the desired effect to occur. This leads me to my next point, I realize there are variations of the bible but I am of the opinion that the message should be the same. Heres the reality. Hineville has over 200 places to worship, does this mean that so many people go to church that much density is needed to accomodate? I say no, People want to hear a message, the mesage that they want to hear. So they go from church to church until they hear the message that in some cases makes exceptions for lifestyle choices or deviations from the actual written word. If you think about it, the Athiests are just part of the mix looking for a message they want to hear. All I know is this, growing up I was taught to do unto others as you would have them do on to you. To forgive instead of harbor hatred. And to not judge another religion because of their intereptation. My point being is we are judgeing the Athiests right now but in all honesty we also judge other religions that are not the same as what we practice. We should forgive and feel sorry for the Athiest for when the end comes the will never expierence the glory of God.