Steve031 said:
Padre: do you think your job would exist in the CF if it did not contribute to the ultimate capabilities of the military: that is fighting wars? Your job is about helping soldiers with spirituality, morality etc. The reason the military wants these soldiers to be helped is so that they can do their job as effectively as possible (either helping them directly, or knowing that help is there if they need it at some point).
Steve...
I'm not really sure how to respond to you. You are clinging to this one point for sheer life and refuse to give it up.
The sum of what Chaplains do cannot be summed up into making the troops feel better so they can wage war.
I even posted parts of the manual, which states during war chaplains protect POW's, civilians, do projects in local areas, etc.
That does not help soldiers with spirituality and help wage war. It is part of being a moral compas and helping all irregardless of
who they are.
I did not disagree to say that a small part of what we do can be seen as what you are saying happens, but, our job is spiritual
care of the soldier irregardless of war, training, tour, releasing. We are the only trade in the CF that provides services to families
of soldiers (i.e. civilians). (That i'm aware of).
If you want to take one specific point of this trade and make it the back bone of your argument I can't stop you.
But let me re-irrerate, there is one line in the 15 chapter manual that supports what you say. Thats 15 chapters!!!
So how much MORE does my trade entail?
How about you just trust me on this???? It is my trade.