whose water?

[cellio]

There's not much water available in the Iraqi desert, of course, so most soldiers haven't bathed in a long time. According to this article, there's an army chaplain in Iraq who has a large pool of water for use by the soldiers, but there's a catch: they have to get baptised first.

Unless that chaplain personally collected the water without using any army resources (including protection), I hope they kick him out of there. Because in any other case, it's not his water; it's the army's water. And yes, my reaction would be exactly the same if it were a rabbi who required everyone to pray the daily service first, or a Republican who required you to change your voter registration to his party first, or anyone collecting a fee.

I'm all for having folks along with the army who aren't part of the effort but who do provide support services valued by some members of the unit. But when support staff become parasites, it's time for them to go.

Comments

[cellio]

There is no mention in any of the passage that the requirement was that it was to do this only to those who followed Christ. But to do so to all.

Indeed. The message is supposed to be about love (for all, as you said, and not just a select few), and as I understand it one of the highest goals is to emulate Jesus. (Also to do good works in general, yes?)

[fiannaharpar.livejournal.com]

Doing good works in general *is* following Christ's example, and by that emulating him. This minister is failing in that, big time.

I've been trying to find out if anything was done about this idiot, and i'm coming up with nothing. I can't even find who to talk to with the US Army to find out if they are planning to do anything about it. Does anyone here know this stuff?

[magid.livejournal.com]

Looks like something is being done (here (http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/001769.html)). The comments are well worth reading, too.
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