Vet: Chaplains tried to convert me

[LiberalFighter]

Source: Vet: Chaplains tried to convert me Des Moines Register

U.S. Navy veteran David Miller said that when he checked into the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City, he didn't realize he would get a hard sell for Christian fundamentalism along with treatment for his kidney stones.

Miller, 46, an Orthodox Jew, said he was repeatedly proselytized by hospital chaplains and staff in attempts to convert him to Christianity during three hospitalizations over the past two years.

He said he went hungry each time because the hospital wouldn't serve him kosher food, and the staff refused to contact his rabbi, who could have brought him something to eat.

Sickels said it is standard practice within hospitals nationwide to conduct a spiritual assessment of each patient upon admission. Ministry and pastoral counseling are available, but "it is always the patient's right to decline any of these services."

Standard practice? If so, then it should be changed. Or they have gone beyond the standard practice. If by spiritual assessment they ask questions regarding faith on the admitance form that is okay. BUT, if they then contrary to the response on that form attempt to change one's religion then they should be boiled in oil. Or if the response is that they don't want any contact with a chaplain then the chaplain should go crawl back into their hole.

[Hekate]

1. Standard practice is to OFFER spiritual succor, not ram it down your throat

argh. The hospital chaplain, if not of the patient's (or family's) faith, is obligated to try to find someone who IS, if asked. And if asked, to leave you alone.

This is infuriating. This is what the Bushies have done.

Hekate

[LiberalFighter]

2. Then they need to revise the standard.

Chaplains should never offer their services unless the admittance form specifies that the patient is open to it.

[Clark2008]

3. Un-fucking-believable.

And, if it's this bad on a Jewish person, can you imagine the person who is Muslim or Hindu or, gasp, atheist?

[laylah]

4. I have a friend who worked at

Iowa City VA Hospital for 20 years (he is now in Phoenix as of last October). He is familiar with this person and stated to me the other day that this man is known for his false allegations. My friend (a nurse) was his personal aide during one of this man's recent visits. He (my friend) calls BS. Just forwarding information from one who knows.

[sabbat hunter]

5. when my dad was in the hospital

a few years ago when my dad was in the hospital for his bypass surgery, a nun (who was also the hospital chaplin) stopped by and asked my dad if he needed anything, that she could help conduct prayers in any major religon, etc.

that is the job of a chaplin. if army chaplins did otherwise, they should be courtmarshalled.