Resourcing the Religious Mission of the Army to the Year 2000 and Beyond:Significant Concerns and Issues

摘要

Resourcing the religious mission of the Army has always been a matter of concernfor commanders and chaplains. There are constitutionality issues involving 'free exercise of religion' and 'establishment of religion' concerns that must be taken into consideration. Today, there are in excess of 1,200 religious bodies in the United States. Over 200 of these denominations are recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, and may have chaplains in the military. At the present time, the Army Chaplaincy has representation from some 142 of these distinctive faith groups. In order to meet the many diverse faith requirements and the individual spiritual needs of soldiers and family members, commanders and chaplains must be creative and intentional in the religious programs and activities they provide.