Executive Director, Armed Forces Chaplain Board
OUSD (P&R) MPP - AFCB
4000 Defense Pentagon (Rm 2E341)
Washington DC 20301-4000
Office: (703) 697-9015
Fax: (703) 693-2280
Email: afcb@osd.mil
Pastor Denver Prophit Jr.
Ordained Minister under Universal Life Church
Protestant
Dear Sirs:
I am in total opposition to allowing a humanist and / or atheist officiates take a position in the DoD chaplain corps unless they fall under the stringent education requirements you place on other pastors and priests. IF you allow someone who has no education in divinity or theology nor believes in the deity of God nor Christ you do a great disservice to the majority of armed force personnel that do hold such beliefs. To my knowledge, there are no rituals or doctrines that an atheist might of already adhered upon?
My suggestion would be to utilize the unit’s medical officer as a psychological counselor should the atheist or humanist need only advice and consent in matters that are not spiritual.
See http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/us/27atheists.html?_r=3 “Athiest Seek Chaplain Role in the Military” publisher – NY Times dated APR 26, 2011. First accessed June 16, 2011 by Pastor D. Prophit Jr.
