Military Chaplain: ‘It Must Have Been God’s Will for Her to Be Raped’

[HarveyDarkey]

Posted by Hemant Mehta in General, Politics on February 17th, 2011

Several women are suing former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates because of “the military’s repeated failures to take action in rape cases created a culture where violence against women was tolerated, violating the plaintiffs’ Constitutional rights.”

(snip)

A reader pointed out one particular story about a military chaplain that warrants special attention on this site. Read the disturbing story of what happened to Sergeant Rebekah Havrilla… and the awful way it was handled by the chaplain:

(snip)

Subsequently, SGT Havrilla worked with an individual from a canine unit. That same colleague raped her. He pulled her into his bed, held her down, and raped her. He also photographed the rape.

SGT Havrilla reported the sexual harassment and rape within approximately one month, under the military’s restricted reporting policy.

In February of 2009 SGT Havrilla reported for four weeks of active duty training. During this training, she saw her rapist in the shopette on Fort Leonard Wood. Upon seeing her rapist, SGT Havrilla went into shock. She immediately sought the assistance of the military chaplain. When SGT Havrilla met with the military chaplain, he told her that “it must have been God’s will for her to be raped” and recommended that she attend church more frequently.

http://friendlyatheist.com/2011/02/17/military-chaplain-it-must-have-been-gods-will-for-her-to-be-raped/

[sakabatou]

1. Where's my clue-by-four?

[roguevalley]

19. I suppose if I capped a round in his head it would be God's will...

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Missy Vixen]

3. The chaplain should be stripped of his duties

He should also offer a formal apology to Sgt. Havrilla.

Karma's a bitch, Pastor.

[FiveGoodMen]

4. Just your basic xtianity at work.

In a special on the bombing of Hiroshima, a pilot discussed the napalming they were doing before dropping the nuke.

He knew he was setting civilians on fire. He felt bad about that.

His chaplain told him it must be gawd's will if nothing prevented it.

Faith is the worst thing in the world.

[roguevalley]

20. no. just a complete asshole using religion to bolster his evil

[DeSwiss]

5. K&R n/t

[NuclearDem]

6. This guy's just one bad chaplain out of many, many good ones

NONE of the chaplains I served with at Offutt would've said or even thought something this horrible.

[riderinthestorm]

8. I believe chaplains are on shaky constitutional grounds already.

It's a pretty clear violation of church and state supporting and endorsing religious folks in the military. Reports like this chaplain, and the scores of other reports about fundie chaplains in the Air Force, chaplains saying that repeal of DADT will "force" them to quit because it conflicts with their beliefs etc. simply indicates to me that their entire existence in the armed forces should be reevaluated.

[NuclearDem]

9. Hardly, there are chaplains for nearly every faith in the military

Even with Christian chaplains alone, we had at least six different denominations represented at Offutt. Also had a Sabbath, Bahai, and Wiccan services.

If you want to argue Constitutionality with the chaplain corps, I'd recommend going after military ceremonies that open with a Christian prayer. That's 100% unconstitutional.

[riderinthestorm]

10. There are too many links to mention but chaplains in the military aren't constitutional.

It doesn't matter how many different faiths the military supports, the fact remains, our tax dollars shouldn't be supporting any religions.

As the growing abuse of fundie Christianity in the Air Force demonstrates or the chaplains against DADT (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/29/retired-chaplains-oppose_n_557456.html) demonstrate, there are significant problems enough with their presence in the armed services even if you don't want to learn about the constitutionality of the chaplain corps.

[NuclearDem]

11. Having a chaplain corps doesn't respect an establishment of religion

It provides the members of the Armed Forces a way to exercise their freedom of religion. Even if the military can't find chaplains for certain faiths, I've seen many units make exceptions for those who need to attend a civilian service for their particular religion. And most chaplains I've worked with counsel servicemembers of all faiths and beliefs, not just those who fall under their specific denomination. They also exist as a counseling and welfare service.

I agree about fundie chaplains being an issue, but just like in the link you showed, it's retired chaplains that are speaking up against DADT, not currently active chaplains. The military does a good job enforcing rules about political speech while in uniform, DADT not being an exception.

Besides, it's enormously difficult to find religious services overseas...

[riderinthestorm]

12. It is government paying for religious practices. Period. I don't care what kind it is.

And if you think it's just retired chaplains that have a problem with DADT, I've got a bridge to sell you ....

The military won the Katcoff case because the plaintiffs were shown not to have standing but the case had merits. The establishment clause means military chaplains are in jeopardy and if a servicemember were to bring a case, it's quite possible the courts will decide against their presence in the military.

Chaplains that are shown to have violated that fine line put the entire chaplain corps under scrutiny. Justifiably I may add. Some of their actions like the OP are truly despicable and while I know that many servicemembers defend their presence, I for one, believe they are now causing more harm than good.

My tax dollars should not be supporting this.

[NuclearDem]

14. Really? Show me evidence of ACTIVE duty chaplains opposing DADT

Because I can tell you, I can't think of any. All the opposition I can find is coming from RETIRED chaplains. Good chaplains in the military are aware of their duties to care for all, and to put their religious views on homosexuality on the backburner in their work. I know, because I was invited to sit in on the teleconference the Air Force Chaplain Corps held, where the head of the CC specifically instructed all USAF chaplains to do just that.

I'm not arguing that our tax dollars go towards paying for the CC. But like it or not, there's been a trend in the judicial system to favor Free Exercise over the Establishment Clause, and I think, ESPECIALLY in the case of the CC, that I'd prefer that.

Look, I'm well aware that chaplains of all stripes do some really awful things--proseltyzing at the AF Academy, holding religious prayers at official functions--but the CC is necessary in the Armed Forces. They're not JUST a religious service--they're a counseling service and a group of people that just about everyone in the military is told should be comfortable to come speak with in confidence without being judged. When I worked at the Offutt Chapel for six months, every single chaplain there was aware I was an atheist, but they treated me the exact same way they would treat anyone who works with them or comes to them for counseling.

This isn't having the Ten Commandments in a courthouse building, this isn't mandatory religious prayer in public schools, this is a necessary service that the military provides people who go through a hell of a lot of stress and heartbreak and sometimes just need a shoulder to cry on.

I'm sorry you don't favor your tax dollars going to a service that, just in my six months working at ONE chapel, kept a dozen families together, kept nearly two dozen sailors, airmen, and marines from committing suicide, and even saved my life, and I'm also sorry that you don't understand how the Chaplain Corps works.

[riderinthestorm]

16. From the Huffington Post article:

"Officials at North Carolina's sprawling Fort Bragg Army post and the Armed Forces Chaplains Board did not respond to requests to interview active military chaplains about the issue. The group of retired chaplains who wrote the letter to Obama and Gates said they were speaking out because active chaplains could be accused of insubordination if they publicly oppose repealing "don't ask, don't tell."

However, also from the article:

"In the Army, the U.S. military's largest branch, the largest denomination is the Southern Baptist Convention, with roughly 450 active chaplains. Next is the Roman Catholic Church, with 270, followed by chaplains from the Full Gospel Pentecostal church; Presbyterian and Reformed churches; and Assemblies of God. A spokeswoman for the Pentagon said chaplains must have the endorsement of their church or religious organization to serve the role. If a chaplain's church withdraws its endorsement, the military begins processing the chaplain to leave the military.

Several denominations have already threatened to take such a step, citing long lists of potential conflicts the chaplains could face with openly gay soldiers. The Southern Baptist Convention, the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church in America, the Presbyterian Church in America, and the Rabbinical Alliance of America have issued statements or written to the Obama administration this year with their concerns that repealing "don't ask, don't tell" could force their chaplains to choose between serving God and serving the military.

The Orthodox Church in America, for example, condemns homosexuality and mandates that the appropriate action its ministers should take toward gay people who seek counseling is to steer them to repent and renounce the gay lifestyle. "If such an attitude were regarded as 'prejudice' or the denunciation of homosexuality as 'hate language,' or the like, we would be forced to pull out our chaplains from military service," the church informed the Pentagon in May. The Catholic Church likewise deems homosexual behavior a sin."

The chaplain corps should become a secular counseling service and aid center which is necessary and vital for servicemembers, and the religious nonsense should be dropped.

[NuclearDem]

17. There, we agree on more than you'd think

But I still see a whole bunch of retired chaplains or groups not affiliated with the military addressing the issue, not active duty chaplains. Like I've said before, chaplains are more aware of their duties towards the people in their care, and are putting their positions on homosexuality in the backseat. Several chaplains I worked with actually had counseling with servicemembers who were gay, and not once did I ever suspect they were trying to steer them from it or make them feel bad for it.

If their church opposes it, then the military is doing the right thing by withdrawing that denomination from the chaplaincy. At stateside bases, this is perfect, because servicemembers can usually find similar services in the civilian community.

[riderinthestorm]

18. Active duty chaplains are prohibited from speaking on this so what do you think they'll say?

They'll say zip. The # of retired chaplains opposing this is astounding if you ask me. That counts for something when it comes to active duty. And I'm curious how you are privy to what active duty chaplains are saying to their clients: that would appear to be a breach of confidentiality. Again, not a vote of confidence.

Most of the 3000 active duty chaplains are from denominations that oppose homosexuality. If you read the list, you can see that virtually all of them are going to have a "come to jesus" moment when they are faced with having to lie about their beliefs or leave their faith organization.

Either way, it's lose/lose and the armed services would do well to eliminate religious affiliations altogether and make this a secular service.

[rocktivity]

7. Civilian Non-Religious Rocktivity: 'It Must Have Been God's Will

For The Chaplain To Get Fired'

:eyes:
rocktivity

[Beacool]

13. She should have kicked him in the nuts

and told him that "it was God's will". Outrageous!!!

:grr:

[Initech]

15. Yet another reason why I dont do religion.

:yoiks:

[undergroundpanther]

21. ‘It Must Have Been God’s Will for Her to Be Raped’

And this is yet another reason why I HATE the christian,jewish islam monotheism "god".And I hate the followers of such an evil god when they excuse and rationalize the choices of a rapist..