In Fallujah, ‘The God Squad’ helps build troops’ morale

In Fallujah, ‘The God Squad’ helps build troops’ morale

FALLUJAH, Iraq (BP)--A Navy chaplain and his assistant are helping Marines and sailors in Fallujah, Iraq, in the ongoing war against terrorism.

Navy Lt. Matthew S. Weems, flanked by his religious program specialist, Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron G. Neely, are key weapons in the effort to maintain good morale among the 800 troops in the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, Regimental Combat Team-1.

"We're here to give encouragement to the Marines and sailors," said Weems, a graduate of the Arizona Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, "and to provide for the free religious expression of all in the command."

Nicknamed "The God Squad" by the battalion, Weems, 33, and Neely, 21, provide more than weekly religious services; they also perform baptisms; conduct the battalion’s morale, welfare and recreation program; and provide any needed counseling.

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20700

With death waiting everywhere, who would turn down easy answers to feel better about the situation? Good ole fundies.

has been popular for a few thousand years.

...Buybull-thumping posts from the Baptist Press and Catholic News? These are not exactly objective, mainstream sources of information.

Did DU hire an Official Religious Propagandist or something?

18 of the threads on the first R&T page seems a little, um.....excessive.
It's not like we don't have access to news sources outside of DU...
:shrug:

if a Jewish or Muslim soldier came to get counseling, would he/she get it or only a conversion speech?

...but if he/she went to these nimrods, I'm sure he/she would get a Jesus Sales Pitch.

I'm basing that on the Navy chaplains I knew in the Marine Corps, most of whom seemed to be Fundie Baptists of one kind or another.

As was I at a young age, but by the time I was in the Marines I was an atheist. Potentially in a foxhole...;)

A few years ago, some noted military strategists like Phil Gramm and Tom DeLay got all upset because they discovered a Wiccan chaplain stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. It was pretty funny.

You never know. :mad:

--IMM