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The Forum > Article Comments > Preaching behind closed doors > Comments

Preaching behind closed doors : Comments

By Alan Matheson, published 30/3/2006

Defence Force chaplains airbrush the reality and brutality of war.

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“ The Iraq war was built on lies and deception. But only one Australian chaplain, of the more than 200 chaplains warned, "that a unilateral pre-emptive assault ... without UN mandate has not been justified". He went on to condemn the "US weapons of mass destruction … and the moral scandal of the spending of billions of dollars to fund the conflict". That’s one chaplain who will not make it to brigadier.”

That’s go a little too far, surely. A man of the cloth is there to give spiritual advice, not military advice. Ignorant though I am (as an atheist) of the Bible, I would put money on a belief that there is nothing in it to say there is anything immoral or ungodly about ignoring the generally amoral and ungodly United Nations.

I wonder what this chaplain – one of 200 - thought about the war’s successful outcome of removing a vicious, ungodly dicatator. Most of the Australian religious fraternity didn't have anything to say about Saddam. They were too interested in lambasting Australia.

In his reference to lack of religious representation for “Muslim Australian” troops, the author doesn’t mention just how many Muslims serve in the Australian forces, if any, and whether or not there are enough to justify another OFFICER’S salary. The same question applies to Jews.

Anyway, who cares? Alan Matheson cites the blind eyes army chaplains turned towards atrocities. And the clerics of some religions actually encourage atrocities.

Further proof that religion doesn’t make a person good or bad, and also an indication that, rather than bemoaning the fact that there isn’t representation from all minor and obscure religions in the military, the author should be questioning the need for chaplains at all,particularly as he seems affronted that most of them are on officers’ pay rather than on privates’ pay – much more suitable to their supposed humble attitudes apparently.
Posted by Leigh, Thursday, 30 March 2006 10:53:09 AM
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There is NO war in Iraq - the 'war' is ended and the correct term is 'occupation'.

There is a war taking place in Australian society - Middle Eastern culture and Islam are at war with Australian society.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/03/30/1143441240379.html

"TASK FORCE GAIN [currently slated as the MIDDLE EASTERN Organised Crime Squad] were called in after a drive-by shooting followed by a
fibro home being peppered with bullets left two dead.

"The two dead men are understood to be a 26-year-old amateur boxer of LEBANESE descent who recently participated in a debate on the Cronulla riots, saying he believed that "his boys'' kept out of trouble by playing sport.

"It is understood the victim, from Granville, had a conviction for the manslaughter of a man STABBED TO DEATH in an altercation in an AUBURN hotel around seven years ago.

"The other victim is believed to be a 25-year-old AUBURN man who had DRUG CONVICTIONS. TASK FORCE GAIN [currently slated as the MIDDLE EASTERN Organised Crime Squad] are involved in the investigation.

"Firemen hosed blood and fuel from the road before three vehicles - including a BMW and a Tarago - were towed away. Police said the fuel tank of one of the cars was ruptured by a bullet.

People arguing and shouting

""There were people arguing and shouting with the police so they called for more cops and pushed the people away.''

"Mr Awny said some of the young men were "ON THE PHONE CALLING PEOPLE AND BY THE SECOND PEOPLE WOULD JUST COME - they were saying 'come, someone just got killed.''' (Muslims used mobile phones to a similar effect in the revenge attacks - and NSW parliament passed laws for police to SEIZE mobile phones).

"Insp Sims said police did not believe the shooting was linked to a driveby shooting in Railway Street in the nearby suburb of Guildford less than three hours later.

[Deleted as offensive]
Posted by baraka, Thursday, 30 March 2006 11:39:19 AM
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Chaplains, whether or not from the Defence Force, certainly have a major defect.
They airbrush reality itself.
The flaw of many societies,particularly the US, is the delusion that there is such a thing as a god.
How many times do you see the gullible praying for some kind of aid?
The simple, unquestionable fact of life is that every person is responsible for their own outcomes.
Religion can be one of the most evil things in existence, as exampled in 9/11 by those suiciding in the deluded belief that they would be rewarded with some kind of magnificence for killing infidels, or centuries earlier when England went to then Crusades to murder those who would not accept Christianity.
Intellectual honesty, and the understanding of cause and effect is what leads to solid morality, not the wishful dogma of religion.
Posted by Ponder, Thursday, 30 March 2006 6:46:43 PM
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Ponder, what about your mates: Hitler, Stalin, Mao tse Tung, Pol Pot.....all atheists and, between them, the most brutal killing machines the world has ever seen. And you have the audacity to preach to us! Mate, you've got more front than a rat witha a gold tooth! Ponder, you're afraid to face reality and so you hide behind the delusory facade and insignificance of atheism.
Posted by Francis, Thursday, 30 March 2006 8:58:18 PM
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Tin Foil Hat time again I see.
Posted by Alan Grey, Friday, 31 March 2006 9:54:17 AM
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If only people were as innocent and pure as Alan Matheson, this world would be the best of all...perfect worlds. But in an imperfect violent world to keep and preach the virtues of political innocence and pureness, is like a brothel keeper preaching the virtues of chastity.

Alan's, SOTTO VOCE, "charming" pacifism and "disarming" diatribe against the Iraqi war through the "sins" of the chaplains, casts the civilized world _ whose quixotic protector he is - into the terrorist inferno.

Con George-Kotzabasis
Posted by Themistocles, Friday, 31 March 2006 1:00:52 PM
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