Ok…religion and politics…something you should stay away from but I’m going to touch on both.
Did you notice there is an election coming up? Even 8,000 miles away we noticed. We only have one television news outlet and it is loaded with cable news shows that ramble on and on about the election. I imagine you’ve seen it too.
One thing I’ve noticed that really bothers me is the way the news media has dealt with the candidates’ religious preferences. Particularly Palin’s. Some reporters who appear to be a bit less tolerant of Christianity really bother me. In the end I trust Americans to filter out the reporter’s opinions and campaign marketing gimmicks and make a good choice.
Religion is important to many of us. Freedom of religion is one of our basic principles. It is definitely something the military takes seriously. On COB Adder we have about a dozen Chaplains and a variety of religious services to support a soldier’s right to worship.
Another thing about Chaplains is they are the only soldiers that don’t carry weapons. None. They have a Chaplain Assistant that helps them out and carries a weapon. The CAs are kind of like the Secret Service. If there’s danger around their job is to protect the Chaplains.
SABER 02,
Out.
Did you notice there is an election coming up? Even 8,000 miles away we noticed. We only have one television news outlet and it is loaded with cable news shows that ramble on and on about the election. I imagine you’ve seen it too.
One thing I’ve noticed that really bothers me is the way the news media has dealt with the candidates’ religious preferences. Particularly Palin’s. Some reporters who appear to be a bit less tolerant of Christianity really bother me. In the end I trust Americans to filter out the reporter’s opinions and campaign marketing gimmicks and make a good choice.
Religion is important to many of us. Freedom of religion is one of our basic principles. It is definitely something the military takes seriously. On COB Adder we have about a dozen Chaplains and a variety of religious services to support a soldier’s right to worship.
Many of our National Guard Chaplains have left their churches back home to serve with us. Chaplains are a unique breed. By nature they are preachers but leading church services is not the only thing they do. Chaplains look after our spiritual well-being. They not only give soldiers and families religious support but also morale support. Sometimes we jus
t need someone to talk to or counsel us in tough times. Our Chaplains are trained consellors and are very good at it. Chaplains are champions of confidentiality…..they rival lawyers in keeping things to themselves.
t need someone to talk to or counsel us in tough times. Our Chaplains are trained consellors and are very good at it. Chaplains are champions of confidentiality…..they rival lawyers in keeping things to themselves. Another thing about Chaplains is they are the only soldiers that don’t carry weapons. None. They have a Chaplain Assistant that helps them out and carries a weapon. The CAs are kind of like the Secret Service. If there’s danger around their job is to protect the Chaplains.
The best church services I remember were not in a church but in the woods lead by an Army Chaplain. Cammo paint on his face in front of a jeep, out in the woods, leading songs with an acoustic guitar. Simple is better. Church on COB Adder is also very simple. Lots of singing. Lots of praying. We have a couple of different soldier bands playing everything from drums to guitars to horns. They are pretty good. Of course we pray. Pray a lot. Prayer is popular when the building you are worshiping in is surrounded by sandbags. And finally we have a message.
We
have Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish services. Muslim is available but we don’t have a regular guy to cover that. The Christian community is very open here at Adder.
I belong to a very large church back home but here the audience in a service is about 30 or 40. Most of us know each other either from working together, going on missions together and eating together. Chapel brings us closer together. Here the services are very open to interaction between the soldiers. Testimonies are encouraged, community prayer is very common and singing…wow we sing. Just the closeness of the service encourages everyone…including me to participate and share.
We
have Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish services. Muslim is available but we don’t have a regular guy to cover that. The Christian community is very open here at Adder.I belong to a very large church back home but here the audience in a service is about 30 or 40. Most of us know each other either from working together, going on missions together and eating together. Chapel brings us closer together. Here the services are very open to interaction between the soldiers. Testimonies are encouraged, community prayer is very common and singing…wow we sing. Just the closeness of the service encourages everyone…including me to participate and share.
Of course I want everyone to know God and experience worshipping him. I think by going to church it helps reinforce what is right and wrong and it helps us make good choices. I don’t hold it against anyone if they choose not to go to church….but I think it’s a good thing. 
So I do want to know if my Presidential Candidates go to church. It tells me a lot about them. It just irritates me when a reporter says a candidate may be whacko if they attend church.
Ill continue to go and make sure my soldiers have the opportunity to do so as well. And we will sing. And we will pray. And we will be tolerant of other’s choices of how they worship or even f they worship.
Ill continue to go and make sure my soldiers have the opportunity to do so as well. And we will sing. And we will pray. And we will be tolerant of other’s choices of how they worship or even f they worship.
One thing is for sure; here on COB Adder if we want a Chaplain there’s a man without a gun nearby.
SABER 02,
Out.
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