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> The Thule Chapel provides a wide range of Catholic and Protestant programs for the base community through resident Air Force chaplains. Representatives from o

> The Thule Chapel provides a wide range of Catholic and Protestant programs for the base community through resident Air Force chaplains. Representatives from other faith groups are provided on an ―as needed‖ basis. Worship services and a variety of Bible studies and adult education forums are offered weekly. Laity-led advisory councils help design, develop, and carry out the many activities provided. Ecumenical and interfaith services emphasize our unity at Thule. Yet another example of what a bang-up job our government does at keeping church and state separate.

deleted 5y ago
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SkittyDog 5y ago
In the US, the idea of "separation of church and state" is very imprecise. The actual law is the First Amendement to the US Constitution, and the various Supreme Court decisions that have interpreted and applied it. Go read the text of the First Amendment, and tell me where you got the idea that the military can't provide chaplains or religious services, on an egalitarian basis, to people in the armed forces. Religion is a critical part of the lives of huge numbers of human beings. While it's not for everyone, emotionally healthy, mature atheists and non-believers generally understand and accept that religious beliefs and practices have for our neighbors. I'm an atheist. I'm also truly glad that the Air Force is providing space for worship, employing chaplains, and encouraging it's people to participate in their religious activities. Given the hardship and isolation of serving at Thule, I think the least we can do is to help them meet their religious needs.
rdtsc 5y ago
How so? They tried to provide the people stationed there with a place to worship. If they didn’t, wouldn’t that be persecuting them, since they may not have a choice in where they are stationed.
chrissnell 5y ago
Even an atheist commanding officer will tell you: meeting the religious needs of servicemembers is very important to the U.S. military. It's a morale thing and morale is critical for a high-functioning force. There is an entire military occupational speciality (i.e. job title) for both chaplains (officers) and chaplains assistants (enlisted). Chaplains from a wide variety of faiths can be found in the U.S military but even a chaplain of a different faith than your own is available for counseling. In a forward-deployed situation, the chaplain can even function like a therapist for servicemembers who need and seek help. They also assist the commander with non-religious activities relating to morale and welfare. If, for example, you had a hurt servicemember in the hospital, a commander might send the chaplain to go and check on them.
implements 5y ago
In this chap’s defence (defense?), the USAF did find itself in hot water over a culture of enforced theism at the Air Force Academy so some sensitivity to the issue might be reasonable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Academy#Religious_atmosphere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Academ...

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SkittyDog 5y ago

In the US, the idea of "separation of church and state" is very imprecise. The actual law is the First Amendement to the US Constitution, and the various Supreme Court decisions that have interpreted and applied it. Go read the text of the First Amendment, and tell me where you got the idea that the military can't provide chaplains or religious services, on an egalitarian basis, to people in the armed forces. Religion is a critical part of the lives of huge numbers of human beings. While it's not for everyone, emotionally healthy, mature atheists and non-believers generally understand and accept that religious beliefs and practices have for our neighbors. I'm an atheist. I'm also truly glad that the Air Force is providing space for worship, employing chaplains, and encouraging it's people to participate in their religious activities. Given the hardship and isolation of serving at Thule, I think the least we can do is to help them meet their religious needs.

rdtsc 5y ago

How so? They tried to provide the people stationed there with a place to worship. If they didn’t, wouldn’t that be persecuting them, since they may not have a choice in where they are stationed.

chrissnell 5y ago

Even an atheist commanding officer will tell you: meeting the religious needs of servicemembers is very important to the U.S. military. It's a morale thing and morale is critical for a high-functioning force. There is an entire military occupational speciality (i.e. job title) for both chaplains (officers) and chaplains assistants (enlisted). Chaplains from a wide variety of faiths can be found in the U.S military but even a chaplain of a different faith than your own is available for counseling. In a forward-deployed situation, the chaplain can even function like a therapist for servicemembers who need and seek help. They also assist the commander with non-religious activities relating to morale and welfare. If, for example, you had a hurt servicemember in the hospital, a commander might send the chaplain to go and check on them.

implements 5y ago

In this chap’s defence (defense?), the USAF did find itself in hot water over a culture of enforced theism at the Air Force Academy so some sensitivity to the issue might be reasonable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Academy#Religious_atmosphere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Academ...