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Chaplains
on Public
Payroll
Your tax dollars go to the U.S. Army's school for chaplains which serves
the self-described purpose of "training religious leaders for the army." This
advertisement is being run on christian websites and paid for by your tax
dollars:
- Contact your federal representatives to complain about this misuse of your
tax dollars.
State budget crises are forcing states to search for ways to cut prison
costs. Their choices include allowing privately sponsored prison ministries to
replace chaplains at lower costs or for free, dropping below the national
standard of one chaplain per 500 prisoners, or replacing the paid chaplains with
volunteers. Colorado recently replaced all the chaplains in its state prisons
with an evangelical Christian prison ministry that offered services for free. In
Texas, lawmakers cut 62 state prison chaplain positions in 2003, a 40 percent
reduction. In Georgia, legislators are considering a proposal to replace
state-funded chaplains with volunteers.
- Contact your State's Department of Corrections to inquire about Chaplains on
their payroll.
- Contact your State Legislators and ask them to stop supporting chaplains
in the prison system.
Oddly, many chaplains are working with county sheriff's offices. Some are
volunteer but some are in paid positions. In Placer County, CA the "Chaplaincy's
funding comes through United Way, Private & Corporate Donations, Officer
Payroll Deductions, Grants, City and County monies.
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