Specialization and Religion

Specialization and Religion

The need for this exclusive and discourse is informed by a calculated attempt to present to innocent people of this continent, Africa as an area of professional specialization. It is a normal thing in science and scientific discourse that every claim made is substantiated with facts, figures and proofs.

Chaplaincy profession is also a part of science, an empirical disciple area of study or vocation which requires experiential evidences and proofs. Please journey with me to make some discoveries:-

1.     Epidemiology is a specialized area of medicine (disease control) with specialist professionals called epidemiologists. These specialist professionals may be:-

a.     Christian epidemiologists.

b.     Hindu epidemiologists.

c.      Humanist epidemiologists.

d.     Muslim epidemiologists, etc.

2.     Virology is another specialized area of medical science, with the professional practioners called virologists. These specialist professionals may be:-

a.     Christian virologists.

b.     Muslim virologists.

c.      Hindu virologists.

d.     Humanist virologists, etc.

3.     Radiology is a specialized area of medical practice, with the specialist professionals called radiologist. They may be:-

a.     Christian radiologists.

b.     Muslim radiologists.

c.      Hindu radiologists, etc.

4.     Psychiatry is another area of specialization in medical science, with the professionals called psychiatric doctors. These professionals may be:-

a.     Christian psychiatric doctor.

b.     Muslin psychiatric doctor.

c.      Jewish psychiatric doctor.

d.     Humanist psychiatric doctor, etc.

Legal or law profession is another profession with known numbers of specialized areas of practice such as:-

1.     Criminal law, this is a specialized area of legal practice with the professionals called criminal lawyers, they may be Christians, Muslims, humanists, new age criminal lawyers etc, as per their individual religion and belief.

2.     Civil law, this is another specialized area of legal practice with the specialists called civil lawyers and they may be Christians, Muslims, humanists, pagan, atheists, etc.

3.     Environmental law, it is another area of specialization in legal professional with their specialists called environmental lawyers and they may be Christians, Muslims, humanists, pagan, atheists, etc.

4.     Constitutional law, this is another area of specialization in legal practice with the professionals called constitutional lawyers, they may come as Christians, Muslims, humanists, pagan, atheists, etc.

5.     International law, another area of specialization in legal practice with their specialists called constitutional lawyers and they may come as Christians, Muslims, humanists, pagan, atheists, Jewish etc.

The various religious and faith groups all these professionals belong to does not affect their professional specializations as they in their chosen profession make all to live with their various religious beliefs, practicing their chosen profession; religion to them is not an area of specialization.

Chaplaincy profession: As a chaplain, permit me to dwell a little more or deeper into areas of specialization in chaplaincy profession and practice for clarity of purpose and with no ambiguity whatsoever.

1.     Health care chaplaincy. This is the most developed area of specialization in chaplaincy profession and practice, with the specialists called Healthcare chaplains which include hospital chaplains, hospice chaplains, and palliative care chaplains. They may be Christians, Muslims, humanists, Hindu, Jewish etc.

2.     Mental health chaplaincy. This is another area of specialization in chaplaincy profession with the specialists called mental health chaplains; they may be Christians, Muslims, humanists, Hindu, Jewish etc.

3.     Correctional or prison chaplains. This is another area of specialization in chaplaincy profession with the specialists called correctional or prison chaplains; they may come as Christians, Muslims, humanists, Hindu, Jewish etc.

4.     Education chaplaincy, which include schools, colleges and universities is another area of chaplaincy specialization with their specialists called school chaplains, college chaplains, university chaplains; they may come as Christians, Muslims, humanists, Hindu, Jewish etc.

5.     Eco or environmental chaplaincy  is another area of specialization in chaplaincy profession with their specialists called eco chaplains or environmental chaplains and they may be Christians, Muslims, humanists, Hindu, Jewish etc.

6.     Animal chaplaincy is another area of specialization in chaplaincy profession with the specialists called animal chaplains; they may come as Christians, Muslims, humanists, Hindu, Jewish etc.

7.     Industrial chaplaincy is another area of specialization in chaplaincy profession and the specialists are called industrial chaplains; they may come as Christians, Muslims, humanists, Hindu, Jewish etc.

8.     And so many more.

The religious affiliation of these specialists in chaplaincy profession and practice does not alter their specializations or practice in chaplaincy profession; who then are religious chaplains or what then is religious chaplaincy?

If they are not areas of specialization, they are qualified professional chaplains in most cases certified professional chaplains, who came together because of their religious beliefs and faith to offer professional chaplaincy services to people of their own faiths. Sometimes, they are denominational chaplains as well such as:

a.     Catholic chaplains.

b.     Protestant chaplains.

c.      Seven day Adventist chaplains.

d.     Anglican chaplains.

e.     Muslim chaplains etc.

They are different and separate from interfaith and interreligious professional chaplains who serve in a pluralistic settings in the society.

Chap. Prof. Mike David

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

15^th July, 2020