Harvard's Atheist Chaplain
For some reason there are about three dozen people at Harvard who carry the title, Chaplain. I don't understand why so many, but that's another issue. There are so many there is a Chaplain's organization on campus. It just elected an atheist Chaplain as President, the author of a popular book, Good Without God.
Just applying the numbers it makes perfect sense. Nationwide, young people who identify as "nones", no affiliation to any religion, is larger than any denomination. Thus, if there is a Catholic Chaplin or a Methodist, they serve smaller constituencies than an atheist Chaplain.
The atheist Chaplain was elected with a unanimous vote of his colleagues, other Chaplains. Because this appears somewhat unusual he has been interviewed by the press who ask, "What hope do you provide students? What is the bigger world about to atheists?"
His answer is that there is no god for us. But there is a source of hope and inspiration. We all belong to each other and this is what we petition to when needing a force outside of ourselves. I think this is the definition of humanism. It is accepting reality, not avoiding it as does reference to a god or gods.
Then there is the old question of "morals" Christians always bring up. That it is brought up implies Christianity, or other religions I suppose, claim to own the issue of morality.
But of course they do not own it. Christians do not practice good morals anymore than atheists, Buddhists or Hindus. Good luck trying to win an argument that Christianity is the source of good morals. Yes, it is a good source of people who label others as sinners, but that's about it.
I suppose Chaplains at Harvard do things like help organize and hold meeting for the various categories of religions or non religions. I don't know if they hold services or do have individual sessions with students who want to talk to them about personal issues. If the do this they, of course, contribute to the emotional health of Harvard students.
The day is gone certainly when Christian parents send their child to Harvard and expect a Christian chaplain to keep them in the faith.
You are behind the times. Texas is now a safe haven for unborn children. Abortion is illegal for all 9 months. The appeal to the US Supreme Court was turned down. Praise God!
ReplyDeleteThe Supreme Court refused to grant a stay. There was no appeal, as there are no cases that have gone to trial yet. The law will be remanded to the lower court for a ruling and will be very unlikely to make it back to the Supreme Court given the fact that we've been down this path a few hundred times already.
DeleteMatt--"Texas is now safe for unborn children." Do we know if the number of abortions will drop because of this law? Information I receive tells of a lot of preparation for the law, money for transportation and methods for later abortions. You may be right, a big drop in numbers. You may not be right.
ReplyDeleteSunday August 29th a US drone strike kills at least 6 Afghan children from one family, 10 y/o Faisal, 9 y/o Farzad, 4 y/o Armin, 3 y/o Benyamin, and Ayat and Sumaya both 2 years old. At home, 2 days later, Wednesday September 1st, a Texas law, enforced by vigilante justice, goes into effect forbidding the abortion of 6 week old fetuses. “Praise God!” That’s some sick s**t.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt was so good of you to admit that you haven't read enough about the law to formulate an opinion. I would urge you caution, though, in projecting your own ignorance onto others.
Delete