By Charles Mills –
When the United States military shows up in full force, ready to protect, defend, or otherwise be a presence somewhere, it’s also prepared to attack an enemy that has caused more damage to society than anything or anyone on earth.
Denying religious liberty invariably leads to persecution and ultimately war. Countless city streets and country lanes have been soaked with the blood of those shunned by society because of their faith. Untold misery has rained down upon millions who’ve gone to their graves holding tightly to their beliefs—views which aren’t the same as those sanctioned by the state.
Knowing that the best way to win a war is never to start one, U.S. military personnel under the careful direction of dedicated chaplains, enter a country with a mission straight from the heart. Their goal is to attack and neutralize discrimination by offering support and comfort to those caught in the dangerous web of prejudice. The benefits of these maneuvers are far reaching, especially for those taking the fight to the front lines.
How do they do it? Navy Chaplain Robert Mills—presently stationed in Washington, D.C. — explained the process during a recent radio interview. What he told me should serve as a template for most human interactions; spiritual or otherwise.
“I’ve found in counseling during many years of active duty and many more as a pastor,” Mills said, “that people really do better when they’re taking care of other people. Something in that service activates wholeness inside of them.
“One of the primary things that I do as chaplain is set up and maintain programs for outreach into the community and into particular military units. I make sure there are ways for those in my charge to serve others.
“It’s interesting that people say to us military personnel, ‘Thank you for your service’ or they ask ‘Are you in the service?’ The answer is yes. We are both in the service and we serve.
“Taking care of each other and reaching out into the community to take care of disadvantaged people are key ways to maintain emotional and mental health. The goal is to help our sailors, Marines, airmen, Coasties, and soldiers do well—not just mark time—but do well and thrive in the military.”
I asked Chaplain Mills how this service extends out from their bases of operations and into various communities.
“Let me give you example,” he suggested. “On my last aircraft carrier assignment, a few weeks before we would pull into a foreign port, we’d reach out through the American embassy or the consulate there and set up what we call Community Relations Projects. We’d go and paint an orphanage or play basketball at a school or clean up trash around a cemetery or some other task within that community. With our actions, we’re telling people, ‘Hey we’re not only here to protect you. We’re here to serve and take care of you.’ This provides something positive for my Marines and sailors to do and forms a good connection to the community; a service connection.”
Changed Attitudes
In conversations I’ve had with Chaplain Mills in the past, that word “service” has popped up numerous times. I asked him how that concept changes a person’s attitude concerning those around him or her—especially in the light of religious liberty. How do these chaplain-organized programs help with that challenging process?
“I think it helps us by opening our eyes to the different kinds of people—the different religions—out there,” Mills stated. “It gives us the opportunity to see—for instance, in Malaysia a few years ago—highly trained military personnel playing soccer with kids in a Muslim school. It gives us a chance to see the people behind the religion and to connect with them on deep and often fun levels. It helps to make real other types of religions—to put us in a place where we’re understanding that there are people in these religions; individuals who love their children, who love their God—or in some cases, many gods. And there are some who have no religion whatsoever. But, they’re still people and it’s a profound way to connect with them. It’s good for us.”
I asked Chaplain Mills what happens when a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine does what he suggests and changes his or her routine to include the community—to see local people up close and personal. How does it enhance their ability to be a good soldier?
“I’ve always said that practice makes perfect,” Chaplain Mills explained. “And if we’re practicing the processes of interacting positively with other people, then we’re going to be more tolerant.
“For a Marine or a sailor to have gone out and spent the day painting a basketball court, and then interacting with the local school in a city, when he or she goes back and interacts in the evening with his fellow Marines or sailors, I think they’re going to be more tolerant and less impatient. They may say, ‘Hey, I found something really cool to do today. You should see this.’ Then they pull out their cell phone and show pictures.”
I asked if, because you know someone, are they no longer considered “the other”—a demeaning and potentially dangerous attitude? Is this service helping participants later in life in their future interactions? Chaplain Mills responded without hesitation.
“Yes. I think that teaching toleration and openness to other belief systems opens the door to better community after a military person’s service. When they hear, for instance, that a Little League team needs a coach, they’ll step in. If the local mosque needs help cleaning up—or there’s one being built—they’ll willingly lend their hands in supporting that effort..
“That concept of service brought from their military time to their civilian time absolutely can change a community for the better.”
Soldiers in the Pews
This service ideal seems to work at the local church level as well.
A few years ago, I spoke with the late Daniel Jackson who, at that time, was President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. He insisted that his corporate church family is carrying the concept of serving people into the community and individual homes as well.
“We believe, as a denomination, that all men, all women, all young people need to have dignity extended to them,” Jackson said. “No matter our belief on personal issues, we maintain that government has the responsibility to extend to all of its citizens the rights and freedoms prescribed in the Constitution of the United States.
“If Jesus walked on earth today, He would provide grace and dignity to every human being. I think that was His track record. So, it’s then a part of my responsibility as well. I need to make sure that in my own home, I am allowing my children and my spouse that brand of freedom. I need to make sure that they’re exercising and have the right to exercise their freedom to choose.
“That goes for the people with whom I work. It goes for the people whom I may supervise. That must go for people with whom I’m in a great debate. I must extend dignity and the freedom to choose to others, and not condemn people their choices.
“We’re still brethren even if we disagree with each other. To try to infringe upon another person—to try to make them feel like they are a lesser being because they don’t share my point of view, or don’t have my lifestyle, or don’t eat the way I eat, and then try to control any of that—is a very unfortunate thing to me. It doesn’t represent the essence of who God is.”
Why Show Up?
All of the actions mentioned so far require that we go face-to-face with those of other cultures, other faiths, other opinions. Which begs the question, “If this is such a dangerous, unwelcoming world for people of faith, why do we need to show up in person at all? As Christians, why do we need to put ourselves in harm’s way in order to spread our particular brand of Good News? Why can’t we just create television or radio programs, write books and magazine articles, or produce Internet Webcasts that can effortlessly leap the barriers separating us from the people to whom we want to witness? Do we really need to stand toe-to-toe with those who might do us harm or try to shame us because we want to share love?”
I put those questions to Lincoln Steed, former editor of Liberty magazine. His response revealed the truth about how religious liberty is best introduced and maintained within any culture.
“There’s no substitute for social interchange,” he told me. “I think that the mere fact that some religions—particularly Evangelical communities based in the United States—are contacting and converting in those countries through the media and publications accentuates that sense of ‘otherness’ that exists. It would help if more people of those persuasions went door-to-door. They must make a mark on the community in their own rights—to be recognized; to be seen.”
I agree. In my own experience as a Christian missionary in both Asia and the Middle East, it’s the showing up, the personal interaction, the helping hands that break through barriers and mitigate the buildup of religious intolerance and racial prejudice. Service with a purpose ignites the far-reaching benefits of doing unto others as we want them to do to us. People don’t focus on the ethnicity, culture, or country of origin of those who love them and treat them with respect. They’re far too busy enjoying the realization that someone is loving them and treating them with kindness!
That’s why religious liberty tends to follow in the footsteps of such loving service, no matter who’s providing it—be it military personnel, dedicated church members, or the friendly neighbor next door. In the wake of such kind and helpful interaction, barriers fall and hearts are warmed by the presence of those simply trying to make life better for everyone.
Charles Mills is the author of more than 50 published books and hundreds of magazine articles. His writing has appeared in many Seventh-day Adventist publications as well as computer, aviation, and photography trade journals. The son of missionary parents, Mills has traveled the world, living within a rich blend of cultures in both the Far and Middle East. Mills says his goal is to paint new and vibrant portraits of Jesus, revealing the Savior’s love through fresh, relevant words, images, and sounds. Besides writing, producing videos, creating and hosting radio programs, and guest lecturing at communications seminars, Mills enjoys music, bird watching, and spending time with his wife Dorinda.
