Myths and Lies Professional Chaplains will Need to Contend with and Dispel in Nigeria

The general public have been fed with lies and myths about chaplaincy capable of confusing people of what chaplaincy is or entails. The presentation of chaplaincy by people who know next to nothing about chaplaincy has left people in falsehood.

Professional chaplains will therefore have an herculean task in presenting the truth to the public which will have to be approached first with dispelling the myths:

1.     Chaplaincy is exclusive reserve of the military: This is false as there are many or much more civilian chaplains in the world, taking care of the majority of the world population.  Professional chaplains will need to dispel this amongst the people and public.

2.     All about chaplaincy is physical exercise, parade and matching: The statement is a myth for all about chaplaincy is compassionate emphatic care services rather than physical exercise.

3.     Chaplaincy is militia or para-military: This is false as chaplaincy has nothing in common with militia groups and organizations.

4.     Chaplains exert force in their operation to show their power and might: The statement is a myth as chaplains are respectable professionals who emphatically serve people without force.

5.     Chaplains are brutes, inflicting injuries on people in the course of their duties: This statement is in nowhere true about chaplains as chaplains are never brutes professional care providers with active listening skills.

6.     All about chaplaincy is uniform and rank: This statement id false, as uniform does not make anybody professional. Professional chaplains will need to make people understand that uniform is for identification and what they have inside is what made them professionals.

7.     Chaplaincy is all about impersonation: This is a false and a myth, for chaplains all over the world are highly respected and honoured professionals.

8.     Chaplaincy is all about caring for the sick: This statement is only partially true as chaplaincy is all about caring both for the sick, the whole, the living and the dead.

9.     Chaplaincy is only for Christians: This is false and misleading as chaplaincy is for people of all religions and none religious people as well.

10.                        Chaplains are security operatives: This statement is false as there is nowhere in the world chaplains are recruited as security operatives.

11.                        Chaplains are Church security officers: The statement is false because chaplaincy has gone beyond church setting and professional chaplains will have to dispel this myth.

12.                        Chaplains are pall bearers: This statement is false and confusing. Although chaplains have ministry to the dead, they can conduct burial or officiate in the burial but they are never used as pall bearers. Professional chaplains will be duty bond to correct such impressions in the public.

Some Truth About Chaplaincy, Its Practice and Service Delivery: Just as professional chaplains are armed here to be able to dispel with various myths about chaplaincy, they should also be armed with the truth about chaplaincy practice and service delivery as listed below:-

1.     Chaplaincy is for all people regardless of their religious affiliations, cultural setting, political leanings, economic status social status, gender and sexual orientation.

2.     Chaplaincy is for people of all religious and people of no religion.

3.     Chaplaincy services should be made available to all people in a pluralistic settings and society.

4.     All people can be trained as professional chaplains to offer chaplaincy care services to humanity.

5.     All people have the opportunity to be trained to become or take careers in chaplaincy profession.

6.     People in all sectors of the economy deserve chaplaincy care and services.

7.     Chaplaincy care and services are important in all aspects of life.

8.     others

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Chap. David Mike-Jacobs CPC, CPST, BCC.

Professor of Anthropology, Certified Chaplaincy Educator & Trainer.

Blog: thechaplain1.blogspot.com

10^th Oct, AD2022