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Post by Ruth Deller on Jul 5, 2009 13:19:46 GMT -5
Discuss the July 12th 2009 episode.
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Post by swright on Jul 12, 2009 14:09:48 GMT -5
Having missed the previous CH4 progs in the Revelations series, thought the prog documenting the work of the Military Chaplains was very informative. I thought the coverage of how the Chaplains had come to their roles was sensitively handled and showed the role of the chaplaincy in a realistic light. I type as one with friends in the ministry of several churches as well as the armed services.
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Post by Ruth Deller on Jul 12, 2009 15:40:34 GMT -5
How would you say this portrayal compares to what you know of military chaplains? Would you say it was accurate?
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Post by djembe on Jul 16, 2009 9:58:59 GMT -5
I thought this programme was a good insight into what it means to be a chaplain as well as to be in the army (or rather navy) even though the reason for troops being there isn't very clear. Like the others in the series it wasn't particularly hard hitting or deep but it was interesting.
There were a few moments when the main guy showed a positive way forwards for religion, tolerance and understanding as opposed to ramming home that the christian way is the right and only way. He acknowledged that the church has let people down, and hoped for a more tolerant future, working alongside other religions.
I liked that we got to see day to day life for them, what their role is and how they fulfil it. I thought it could have had more insight into the internal conflict of being in a religious leader in a war zone, and how that compares to the Islamic religious war point of view. I'd also have liked a bit more insight into the kind of advice they give to soldiers and the kinds of questions and emotions they have to deal with in such a traumatic place. We did see footage of fighting and the rememberance services afterwards but not much discussion on the emotions and questions it brought up and how the chaplains advise or comfort those involved.
The impression I got was that he was more like a buddy to talk to than offered much religious advice. But maybe that's the point, just to be there and support (a la Jesus) rather than try to convert them.
There were a few suggestions that the chaplains play the role of Jesus- 'in the army but not of the army' = 'in the world but not of the world' or just being there to watch over his flock etc which I would have found a little pretentious if the man didn't seem so genuine and open minded.
I also liked when he said he wouldnt want an all christian army. He played on a christian football team once and it was awful. I found that amusing.
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