Religious life is greatest diversity
It seems as though the term “diversity” is in the news quite often these days.
We read about diversity in the workplace, diversity in the classroom, cultural diversity, multicultural diversity, ethnic diversity — you get the picture.
Most people tend to think of diversity in terms of the categories of race, age, gender and national origin.
The greatest diversity that we have today, however, is in our religious life.
Since those serving in the military largely represent society as a whole, the military mirrors the great religious diversity of our country as well.
As a case-in-point, a recent study indicated that military service members identified themselves with more than 109 religious organizations.
Civilian clergy, with titles such as “Pastor,” Father,” Rabbi,” and “Imam,” are sent by their religious organizations to serve in the military as chaplains.
As professionals in military ministry, chaplains must have an understanding of the concepts of religious diversity, tolerance, and pluralism in order to function effectively within the military structure.
Diversity, tolerance and pluralism can be scary terms for some; conjuring up ideas of relativism and theological compromise.
It does not need to be so, however, as diversity does not mean that one must abdicate his or her faith and belief system.
When a civilian minister puts on a military uniform, nothing changes with regard to his or her religious beliefs.
The Constitution guarantees the right of every citizen, including those in the military, to choose what religion to practice or to practice no religion at all.
However, all military personnel, including chaplains, take an Oath of Allegiance to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
When one puts on the military uniform, as chaplains do, they are obliged to abide by another set of shared beliefs and values, among which are the concepts of diversity, tolerance and pluralism.
As a condition of appointment, military chaplains must agree to abide by a Code of Ethics, one paragraph of which states, “I will seek to provide for pastoral care and ministry to persons of religious bodies other than my own with the same investment of myself as I give to members of my own religious body and will respect the beliefs and traditions of those to whom I minister.”
The motto of the chaplaincy, “Cooperation without Compromise,” is often used to describe the dual requirements placed on chaplains of providing faith-specific ministry to those of our own faith while facilitating and caring for the needs of all service members.
In the Christian faith, the Apostle Paul offers an example of pluralism, which we would all do well to follow — military chaplain and civilian clergy alike.
Paul becomes all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:19-22) in order to reach all with the good news.
His success is based on a willingness to set aside his own rights and privileges for the sake of the gospel.
St. Paul serves as an example of self-sacrifice through his respect and love for others. He defined his ministry in terms of servanthood and sacrifice.
The military values self-sacrifice and servanthood as well, and chaplains have traditionally been revered and respected by those in uniform because they care for the needs of all — both those of their own faith and of other faiths as well.
The Rev. Stephen Duesenberry is a chaplain in the U.S. Navy currently residing in San Diego, Calif. He is endorsed for military service by the Orthodox Church in America and is a native of Youngstown.