Club Chaplain

[hellraiser 0]

Is anyone else disappointed with the club hiring a chaplain?

Are they gonna pray for a premiership now?

[WonnaJurah 5]

most clubs have one, nothing wrong with it. Might be a few religious players at the club and helps them out, plus conselling as well

[e25 5]

I'm a staunch atheist, but I have no issue with the club having a chaplain.

In fact, I think it's bordering on a necessity.

I'd be surprised if any AFL club didn't have one.

Edited December 9, 2010 by E25

[Guest Guy Rigoni]

Why on earth would you be disappointed by the club hiring a chaplain, they have done this for as long as i can remember. The chaplain does play an important role in player support and welfare, even to those who are not religious.

[H_T 2,941]

Is anyone else disappointed with the club hiring a chaplain?

You're disappointed ? Why ?

[hellraiser 0]

Guess I'm alone on this. It just seems like a backward step to me, to be teaching the players about the bible when they could be training. It could be offensive to any non-Christian players or members. Better to have a regular non-religious counsellor in my opinion.

[Wolfmother 182]

Hellraiser,

I can see it from your point of view but you might not understand the role of a chaplian.

I'm in the military and we use a chaplain constantly and its not a very religious thing at all. In such environment like the military and football clubs (my unit is all male) ego and weaknesses play a big part rightly or wrongly. I recently deployed overseas and the Chaplian was invaluable and all tours we take one across. The chaplians role is to be an ear to everyone where you can discuss your problems without it being reported. Our soldiers used it alot and the chaplian had the ear of the commander so if he need to say something about stuff happening he always could. When I was in Comd I found the chaplian may have a chat to me about a certain solder feeling home sick or his wife is giving him grief about the kids. It enabled us to moniter the situation and assist were possible ie ensure he gets time off to call home and appropriate times etc etc (mainly without him knowing that we know). We even had a chaplian in Aus attend a solders wife and organise for defence to get a babysitter to get her some time off, these are things the soldiers won't discuss with their peers or direct supervisors because of image etc etc.

The football club will be the same and young guys who maybe home sick, not sure where they stand in the peeking order or just struggling with the full on world or AFL have someone to talk too with out the perceived issue of seeing a counseler as the chaplian talks to everyone. Over my 12 years in the military I have talked to the chaplians on multiple occasions and don't think we have discussed religion once. I don't think the Chaplain was hired by the MFC to discuss the bible

Wolfmother

[digby wolf 1]

Hellraiser,

I can see it from your point of view but you might not understand the role of a chaplian.

I'm in the military and we use a chaplain constantly and its not a very religious thing at all. In such environment like the military and football clubs (my unit is all male) ego and weaknesses play a big part rightly or wrongly. I recently deployed overseas and the Chaplian was invaluable and all tours we take one across. The chaplians role is to be an ear to everyone where you can discuss your problems without it being reported. Our soldiers used it alot and the chaplian had the ear of the commander so if he need to say something about stuff happening he always could. When I was in Comd I found the chaplian may have a chat to me about a certain solder feeling home sick or his wife is giving him grief about the kids. It enabled us to moniter the situation and assist were possible ie ensure he gets time off to call home and appropriate times etc etc (mainly without him knowing that we know). We even had a chaplian in Aus attend a solders wife and organise for defence to get a babysitter to get her some time off, these are things the soldiers won't discuss with their peers or direct supervisors because of image etc etc.

The football club will be the same and young guys who maybe home sick, not sure where they stand in the peeking order or just struggling with the full on world or AFL have someone to talk too with out the perceived issue of seeing a counseler as the chaplian talks to everyone. Over my 12 years in the military I have talked to the chaplians on multiple occasions and don't think we have discussed religion once. I don't think the Chaplain was hired by the MFC to discuss the bible

Wolfmother

The point non religeous people are trying to make is that a couseler should be for everyone. I was in the military as well and would never go near a counseler that I knew got the job because he was religeous. A degree in theology certainly doesn't give you special insight into other peoples problems and conflicts, in fact it may add to them.

Edited December 9, 2010 by kerrydixon

[bing181 8,359]

Is anyone else disappointed with the club hiring a chaplain?

Not sure where you're getting your "hiring a chaplain". Cameron Butler (if that's who you're talking about) has been there since 1997.

Nothing's changed of late ... and if he's been there that long, must be doing something right, can't be too many other people who've been onboard since Neil Balme was coach.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

I think if this thread proves one thing, it's that the military won't win no spelling wars.

[Deeman 1,426]

Is anyone else disappointed with the club hiring a chaplain?

Are they gonna pray for a premiership now?

I have a lot of faith in the Melbourne Football Club Board.

[daisycutter 28,727]

Make that TWO topics that should be avoided/banned on sports fora - politics AND religion

Amen

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Guess I'm alone on this. It just seems like a backward step to me, to be teaching the players about the bible when they could be training. It could be offensive to any non-Christian players or members. Better to have a regular non-religious counsellor in my opinion.

Either the sarcasm meter is on the blink again or you're completely off the track.

[Rocknroll 954]

I am just disssapointed we didnt hire this guy. He was Awesome in MASH

But seriously I doubt his role is to preach about God or to convert, but more of place where people can have reflective thought. Someone to chat to outside of the footy circles. Bartram, Wona and Bail have had some pretty big events happen to them in the last couple of years.

I would more disappointed that the MFC didn't have someone where these young guys can chat to about bigger things than getting a kick, twitter updates and the latest issue of Ralph magazine.

[daisycutter 28,727]

I am just disssapointed we didnt hire this guy. He was Awesome in MASH

Or more cutting edge, how about the Rev Jim

[rpfc 27,692]

Guess I'm alone on this. It just seems like a backward step to me, to be teaching the players about the bible when they could be training. It could be offensive to any non-Christian players or members. Better to have a regular non-religious counsellor in my opinion.

How old are you?!

It isn't like in RE when the chaplain will sit them all down and read the Bible...

I'm an atheist as are many others but having a chaplain is fine.

Do you prefer a different name?

Holy person?

Shaman?

Honestly, this thread makes little baby jesus cry.

[Rocknroll 954]

Rev Jim Jones might be a bad idea...........keep the boys away from the cool aid

REv Horton Heat anyone??

[daisycutter 28,727]

Rev Jim Jones might be a bad idea...........keep the boys away from the cool aid

REv Horton Heat anyone??

OK, lets not muck around, we are Melbourne, lets get the top man.

Notice he is ready, already got the clash strip on with the red yoke

[ox_5 163]

Guess I'm alone on this. It just seems like a backward step to me, to be teaching the players about the bible when they could be training. It could be offensive to any non-Christian players or members. Better to have a regular non-religious counsellor in my opinion.

I assume you're non religious...so are you offended by it?

And also...should the religious players or members be offended by the welfare officers who work at the club?

I'm also atheist, but I can't see what relevance religion has on the topic of player welfare.

Edited December 9, 2010 by ox_5

[daisycutter 28,727]

I'm an atheist as are many others but having a chaplain is fine.

I used to be an athiest too rpfc,

but then I became am MFC supporter

[daisycutter 28,727]

For those of you who haven't met our club chaplin this is what he looks like, here he is.

As you can see everyone can now relax.

[agent_orange 0]

Is anyone else disappointed with the club hiring a chaplain?

Are they gonna pray for a premiership now?

Not sure what your problem is. If the club wants to employ one so be it. People who work or play for the club maybe religous.

I think all club have them and always have, us included.

[agent_orange 0]

You're disappointed ? Why ?

Our players will hit the holy spirits.

[DeeSpencer 23,689]

Guess I'm alone on this. It just seems like a backward step to me, to be teaching the players about the bible when they could be training. It could be offensive to any non-Christian players or members. Better to have a regular non-religious counsellor in my opinion.

This is just the funniest sentence I think I've ever read on here.

I don't identify with any particular faith but I'm all for a chaplain. Sure their religion might interrupt their message occasionally but give me someone who's dedicated and committed to their work instead of a counsellor. You can get a counselling degree out of a cereal packet.

[Fork 'em 6,630]

There's no athiests in a foxhole .