The move that proponents say will ease a youth mental health crisis, bolster staff retention and offer spiritual care to students.

Lawmakers in more than a dozen states have proposed legislation to allow spiritual chaplains in public schools, a move that proponents say will ease a youth mental health crisis, bolster staff retention and offer spiritual care to students who can’t afford or access religious schools.

Conservatives also argue religious foundations will act as a “rescue mission” for what they say are public schools’ declining values, a topic that has galvanized Republican-controlled Legislatures to fight for issues such as parental oversight of curriculum, restrictions on books and instruction on gender identity and state-funded tuition assistance for private and religious schools.

But many chaplains and interfaith organizations oppose the chaplaincy campaign, calling the motivation offensive and describing the dangers of introducing a position of authority to children without clear standards or boundaries.

  • @Whiskey_iicarus@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    15•3 months ago

    As someone who has been forced to have a chaplain around, they are usually great people that are very uplifting. Absolutely no need for the religious part though. Until there is a true non denominational “chaplain” which is really just a counselor with extra privilege, you will alienate people who feel you can be, and do good things without any need for a sky daddy. All I wanted was someone to listen and maybe offer some advice, please don’t bring your millennia+ worth of baggage to the conversation.

    • admiralteal
      14•3 months ago

      So what you seem to be saying is that schools should have some kind of staff of full time social workers. People who can give counseling and guidance to students who may be struggling. I wonder what we should call those faculty?

      We can be real, the goal is to convert children to be part of the army of christ here. This is all about grooming and indoctrination of minors and undermining separation of church and state. No one promoting it gives a shit about the social value of these chaplains.