Head Chaplain at Harvard University is an Atheist

[Yazata]

Which raises the question, what is the difference between a chaplain and a psychological counselor when religion is removed from chaplaincy?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/harvar...ar-AANOSfB

https://nypost.com/2021/08/26/harvards-n...thout-god/

[Syne]

Maybe five years ago I'd be surprised, but this sort of thing seems par for the course with the moron left nowadays.

[Magical Realist]

The theologian Paul Tillich would say atheism or doubt are parts of the spiritual journey. Like faith they express an abiding relation to Ultimate Being, in it's central ethical concern for truth and truth alone.

[Syne]

That's very far from justifying an atheist to lead religious counselors.

[Zinjanthropos]

From article: As the president of the organization, Epstein will organize the more than 40 university chaplains from Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and other religious communities.

More than 40? Maybe this is a problem. At least he won’t favour one over the other or that may be why he was selected. Probably wouldn’t be necessary if there wasn’t constant bickering between the 40+. They needed someone neutral and without bias. What exactly does he organize? Meetings? Services? Bus schedules?

[Syne]

They needed someone neutral and without bias.

You mean someone equally biased against all?

[Zinjanthropos]

They needed someone neutral and without bias.

You mean someone equally biased against all?

Why not?

Although not sure how the name Epstein will be received by all religious reps but I guess he won the election fair and square. Assuming no one raising a stink about election fraud here. However I don’t think he’d be a unanimous choice so there’s still a possibility some religion(s) might take offence to this guy. This isn’t over. No atheists dancing in the streets or religious riots about it yet.

[Syne]

You mean someone equally biased against all?

Why not?

Because an atheist could not possible understand the needs of the religious.

[Zinjanthropos]

You mean someone equally biased against all?

Why not?

Because an atheist could not possible understand the needs of the religious.

Is the electorate, religious groups in this case, thinking differently? Or maybe they don’t understand the needs of the atheist, whatever they are. What are religious needs, other than an organizer at Harvard? Get along with one another? Looks like they’re doing something about that. For now.

[stryder]

The article identifies him as a "Humanist", while not a mainstream religion, it is a belief system. It therefore suggests that he's as much entitled to the job as anyone else that holds a belief. As long as he attempts to advocate the middleground, the moderate consensus of an oligarchy it shouldn't be an issue. (It might sound leftist, but that's the position that academics tend to take in these matters)