Statement on Social Issues
The Chaplain and Social Issues
The role of a chaplain with regard to social issues is to warn, counsel, and where necessary, provide referrals. The chaplain must maintain ongoing and influential relationships with the people they meet in spite of these differences. Furthermore, the chaplain generally works in a secular setting with the permission of an institution, company or organization. Therefore the chaplain is expected to promote other values such as work ethics, citizenship, healthy living, and emotional health. Chaplains should maintain open and respectful discussions concerning these social issues, recognizing that these issues which, though they may disagree, are often deep-seated personal values which the person has justified for themselves and find valid.
Sanctity of Marriage
The Ministry believes that marriage is a legal union between one man and one woman for life and is ordained by God (Genesis 2:24-25). It is entered into as a covenant between God and the spouses. The two people in the marriage are commanded by God to be faithful to each other in their emotional and physical relationships with others (Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-28). The dissolution of marriage is prohibited in Scripture with the exception of adultery (Matthew 5:32, 19:9). Abuse and addictions by the spouse are serious challenges to a marriage and must be dealt with by trained family counselors who will make every effort to preserve the marriage. It is anticipated that board members, chaplains and volunteers will vigorously promote the sanctity of marriage and counsel against the dissolution of marriages, encouraging licensed family counseling where necessary.
Pornography
The Ministry strongly believes that pornography in all forms outside God's plan for Biblical sexual relationships. Pornography has a detrimental affect on personal relationships and cheapens the beauty God intended for sexual relationships (Matthew 5:27-28). It is addictive, views women (and men) as mere sex objects rather than as people created in God's image, selfish (it focuses on personal gratification only), creates unrealistic expectations of sex within the marriage and creates a greater desire for sexual contact and live viewing outside of marriage. The Ministry believes that a person's recognition, recovery and reconciliation from the use of pornography is a long process that requires professional and trained counseling. The Ministry will not accept, and will dismiss, board members, chaplains or volunteers who participate in the use, procurement, spreading or toleration of pornography. As well, it is anticipated that board members, chaplains and volunteers will vigorously counsel against pornography.
Drugs, marijuana, 'designer drugs', abuse of prescription and OTC drugs and alcohol
The Ministry believes that the use of mind altering drugs, marijuana and the purposeful misuse of prescription and OTC drugs, and alcohol is contrary to Scripture's admonition that we be of sound mind (Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 2:5, 2 Timothy 1:7) and that such use and trafficking is illegal (1 Peter 2:13-14). We believe that the use of drugs and use of alcohol to the point of drunkenness damages the body (which is the temple of God), is illegal, destroys relationships, is dangerous to others, takes away from one's ability to work and support themselves and their family. The Ministry believes that a person's recognition, recovery and reconciliation from the use of drugs and the abuse of prescription and OTC drugs, and alcohol is a long process that requires professional and trained counseling. The Ministry will not accept, and will dismiss, board members, chaplains or volunteers who use drugs or purposely misuse prescription or OTC drugs, or engage in drinking to drunkenness. As well, it is anticipated that board members, chaplains and volunteers will vigorously counsel against the use of such drugs and alcohol.
Abortion and Sanctity of Life
The Ministry believes that all life is sacred and God-given (Psalm 139:13, 15) and that it is not within man's hands to take life (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Matthew 19:18) whether by abortion, suicide, assisted suicide, counseling which presents planned death as an option, or deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life to relieve intractable suffering (euthanasia). It is anticipated that board members, chaplains and volunteers will vigorously counsel against such terminations of life.
Homosexuality
The Ministry believes that homosexuality is sin and therefore is opposed to all forms of homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9). It rejects the notion that homosexuality and same sex unions need to be allowed or tolerated in today's society. The ministry does not accept board members, chaplains or volunteers who consent to any personal acceptance of homosexuality in principle, nor accept homosexual board members, chaplains or volunteers who are sexually active. Neither does the ministry accept board members, chaplains or volunteers who consider themselves to be homosexual but abstain from homosexual practice as they would be considered as non-repentant of sin. It is anticipated that board members, chaplains and volunteers will vigorously counsel against homosexuality and the homosexual lifestyle.
Practices that hinder Christian witness
The Ministry recognizes there are personal practices that may hinder Christian witness. Such practices include, but are not limited to, the use of tobacco, moderate use of alcohol products, various forms of music or the occasional purchase of lottery tickets or gambling at casinos. While these things do not have direct Scriptural prohibitions, we realize that many of the people we meet (1) feel that these practices are indeed wrong for a Christian to participate in or (2) are struggling with them as enslaving habits. Therefore the Ministry requests that participation in these things in the presence of our contacts be avoided, and reference to such participation be avoided and that discussions of them be frank and seasoned with warning about addictions. As well, preparation should be made ahead of time for counsel as to how to break these habits and addictions.
