The Senate Chaplain
October 7, 2013 6:34 PM   Subscribe

"You talkin' to me?" has to be the thought in the minds of every one of the members of the Senate.
posted by HuronBob (28 comments total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
I applaud his efforts and intent, but suspect he may need a bigger prayer stick.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:39 PM on October 7, 2013 [5 favorites]


I tried. Paywall.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:45 PM on October 7, 2013


I was looking up further info on Chaplain Black (a Rear Admiral, retired, and the holder of two doctoral degrees!) and came across this really lovely article he wrote about the power and the limitations of faith.
posted by Sidhedevil at 6:57 PM on October 7, 2013 [3 favorites]


Cjorgensen.. try this site.
posted by HuronBob at 6:58 PM on October 7, 2013


Shaming them only works if they are capable of feeling shame.
posted by ardgedee at 7:00 PM on October 7, 2013 [9 favorites]


Shaming them only works if they are capable of feeling shame.

But, for a few moments each day, they are forced to be silent and, hopefully, they will listen. And, perhaps for a few moments each day, those that support them, and are listening to this, will hear the contrast and reflect upon what they hear.

I have tremendous respect for this man and his quiet admonitions.
posted by HuronBob at 7:04 PM on October 7, 2013 [4 favorites]


I was shocked to see he is Eastern Baptist. Head down, shoulders hunched, a tiny little guy when you meet him in person, beautifully practiced enunciation, blunt-yet-practical, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE I DON'T NEED TO SAY PAY INTO THE COFFEE KITTY ALREADY AND KNOCK IT OFF WITH CODDLING THE JERK PRIVATE SCHOOL JOCKS, neckties that in no way go with the shirt or the suit...

R. Adm. Rev. Barry C. Black is a closet Episcopalian.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:04 PM on October 7, 2013 [2 favorites]


"inside their own chamber every morning when the chaplain delivers the opening prayer"

They pray before each session? The mind boggles!
posted by greenhornet at 7:06 PM on October 7, 2013 [3 favorites]


I think that's "Rev. Rear Adm. Dr. Dr. Barry C. Black is a closet Episcopalian."
posted by zippy at 7:10 PM on October 7, 2013 [6 favorites]


I was shocked to see he is Eastern Baptist.

The NYT article says he's Seventh-Day Adventist.
posted by motorcycles are jets at 7:11 PM on October 7, 2013 [3 favorites]


As a Rhode Islander, I must hang my head in shame. He is indeed 7th Day Adventist - but he attended Eastern Baptist Theological seminary... and Salve Regina University, in my own home town.

The tie thing is easier to understand now, he learned it by watching the crazy Old Money people pottering around Bellvue Ave.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:35 PM on October 7, 2013 [1 favorite]


I think the confusion arises because Chaplain Black (or Rev. Rear Adm. (Ret) Dr. Black) attended the Palmer Theological Seminary, formerly known as the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. But now Palmer is multidemoninational, and throughout Chaplain Black has been Seventh Day Adventist.
posted by gingerest at 7:36 PM on October 7, 2013 [1 favorite]


(Cross-posted.)
posted by gingerest at 7:37 PM on October 7, 2013 [1 favorite]


I really don't think the Senate is the problem. Why isn't he in the House?
posted by anewnadir at 8:00 PM on October 7, 2013 [6 favorites]


Cross-posted

Militarychaplainysterical
posted by zippy at 8:02 PM on October 7, 2013 [2 favorites]


I saw Rachel Maddow's coverage the other day, linked in the shutdown thread, I think. So great!

He is pretty adorable, with his bow ties, solemn air, floral language, and sonorous voice. I have kind of been crushing a bit, tbh. He actually seems like a very kind person to me.
posted by annsunny at 8:19 PM on October 7, 2013 [3 favorites]


I really don't think the Senate is the problem. Why isn't he in the House?

[After ten minutes of dealing with House Republicans]
Chaplain: We're gonna need a bigger God.
posted by Atom Eyes at 8:23 PM on October 7, 2013 [32 favorites]


Atom Eyes, I saw your comment, laughed to myself, and then did a quick mental rundown of people in the office I could try to show your comment to, but... no one. I have no one with whom to share your genius.
posted by Ghidorah at 8:47 PM on October 7, 2013 [2 favorites]


Actually, he gave one in the House also.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:45 PM on October 7, 2013 [1 favorite]


This guy is like the Sorting Hat of Congress. (With the whole regular-preaching-type-stuff except when it's really important and then breaking down what people are doing well in a concise way, I mean. They don't put him on the congresscritter's head until he calls out "Democrat" or "Republican".)
posted by NoraReed at 10:36 PM on October 7, 2013 [2 favorites]


I really don't think the Senate is the problem. Why isn't he in the House?

The House prays to Loki, and he swears everything is just fine.
posted by dumbland at 10:50 PM on October 7, 2013 [10 favorites]


Ten years of speaking truth to power. The man does not look almost 65. Here's to ten more!
posted by perhapsolutely at 11:17 PM on October 7, 2013


So... all-powerful, but not even able to move the conscience of seventeen members of the House to sign a piece of paper authorizing a vote to keep the government running?!

Clearly, this God character and his stubborn unwillingness to play a constructive role makes him personally responsible for the shutdown!
posted by markkraft at 5:24 AM on October 8, 2013


In the linked article, this stood out for me:
In 2007, after objections from groups that did not like the idea of a Senate chaplain appearing alongside political figures, he canceled a speech he was scheduled to give at an evangelical event featuring, among others, Tony Perkins of the conservative Focus on the Family and the columnist and author Ann Coulter.
Maybe it's not so surprising he's criticizing the Senate.
posted by DarkForest at 7:22 AM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]


DarkForest, you left off the first part of that paragraph:

Last year, he participated in the Hoodies on the Hill rally to draw attention to the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.


You could make a case that he may not be totally neutral, but he doesn't fully align with either party.
posted by echo target at 8:43 AM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]


I did leave off that first sentence, but I don't think it lessens my point. It would be interesting to know what he intended to say at that evangelical event.
posted by DarkForest at 9:36 AM on October 8, 2013


He's criticizing the Senate because that's where he is, and the Senators are the people he's supposed to be guiding. The House has its own chaplain who, if s/he is doing her/his job, should be similarly trying to guide them towards being less ridiculous. I don't think it says anything useful about his political leanings that he's focusing on his own "flock."
posted by decathecting at 3:18 PM on October 8, 2013


Today's prayer is the most outspoken yet.
posted by annsunny at 9:36 AM on October 10, 2013


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