Military Chaplain Analysis

No in Canada is so delicately balanced between state and church as a military Chaplain. A chaplin answers to the military commanders in peace and was, as a defender of Canada. Although at the same time he is the designated representative of for religion in the Canadian Armed Forces. A Chaplain is an ordained representative of any religious denomination, accountable above all to “God”. Chaplains although of one faith work with men and women of all faith, a chaplins post is not a religious establishment; it is an affirmation of the basic right of human beings to worship as they choose. Chaplins put a great deal of effort in avoiding the appearance of an establishment of religion. Just as a Chaplain is a guardian of free religion with their followers …show more content…
A civilian clergy is unable to serve soldiers the same way a Chaplain can, civilians if dropped of in a war zone require special security detail and are unable to relate to the special needs of soldiers. A multi tour Iraq veteran, Army Chaplain Seth George talked about the unique challenges of a uniformed minister, “You will be with a platoon that just lost a soldier. Guys are crying. You're hugging them. You are trying to talk to them a little bit, and then you literally walk around the corner to another company area and it's, "Hey Chaplain, what's the word for the day?" And they want to laugh and cut up, just like always, and so to switch gears like that is very difficult, and I try my best to do that. You rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep, and that's part of, I think, the unique element of being a Chaplain in the Army.”(pbs.org, Seth George, 2008) Another major function of a military Chaplain is as a social conscience in regards to major decisions within the military. For example Chaplains are credited with stopping the regular floggings of sailors in the