Sandhurst, in Great Britain, is one of the world’s most prestigious military academies. Unfortunately,it may be on the verge of having to go to war with those who think its Anglican chaplain has sold out to political correctness. According to the Daily Mail:
Sandhurst military academy has dropped the Church of England Creed [also known as the Nicene Creed--DF] from services over fears that it may offend religious minorities.
The move has outraged worshippers who say centuries of religious tradition have been sacrificed for the sake of political correctness.Senior chaplain Reverend Jonathan Gough dropped the Christian declaration of faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, when he took office earlier this month.
Mr Gough – nicknamed the ‘Right On Rev’ by some of his flock – says he wants avoid offending non-believers.
But Christian cadets and civilians were furious when the traditional Anglican service abruptly ended without the Creed being read last Sunday.
Although no official announcement was made, a fellow Chaplain said it had been removed ‘to stop upsetting cadets who do not believe in God’.
So let me get this straight: there is evidently the possibility that atheist cadets will attend a voluntary Christian worship service so that they can become upset when that Christian worship service actually involves worshiping the Christ Deity. And the chaplain, who is allegedly a Christian minister, is worried that atheists will attend the worship services he leads and be offended that he leads his audience in worshiping God, and wants to pre-emptively remove any reason for them to get upset. Presumably he will next order that Christians hymns no longer be used (because they refer to God), the Book of Common Prayer be banished (because it refers to God), and will stop preaching, because he has nothing to say. In fact, worship services will be banned at Sandhurst for fear of scarring the sensibilities of the cadets, who would be put off their best combat abilities if they were offended by Christians worshiping God. The Reverend Gough will not, however, be resigning from his phoney-baloney job, because, as he would no doubt say, “I need the money, and I like playing dress-up.”
(Via Stand Firm.)
February 4, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Daily I think it can’t get any more perposterous and then something like this pops out!
To quote one of my favorite British generals, “Stop That! It’s silly. And a bit suspect I think. Time for a cartoon!”
February 4, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I read elsewhere that the creed that was deleted was the Apostles Creed, but either way, the effect is much the same.
If the CoE stopped preaching just because it has nothing to say, considerable time could be saved by everyone throughout the country because it would be universal. +++Rowan would lead the way!
February 4, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Garry: That wouldn’t be Gen. Graham Chapman, would it?
February 4, 2009 at 9:22 pm
How silly of me to think that I could sneak that one by you, David.
February 5, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I rather doubt that attendance at chapel is voluntary. It tends not to be in those sorts of institutions. The solution should have been to make it voluntary rather than gut the service, but in England, tradition often trumps faith.
February 5, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I can only go by what the article said, which was that it was voluntary. If it wasn’t, I agree, it should be.
February 5, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I didn’t read the whole article. In that case, it was a very foolish decision. Does the man not realize the seriousness of a teacher denying Christ? As he is C of E, he might not, sigh.