Clergy Response Team

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ctdonath

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As noted in a derailed thread, there is word floating about of the Department of Homeland Security assembling a Clergy Response Team. Apparently, from what little can be discerned, the point is to have clergy go about in an emergency, persuading all to stay calm and cooperate with authorities. "Cooperate" may include "hand 'em over if you've got 'em".

At this point I'll note that most people tend to argue about what they want to argue about, not about the issue in question. Don't do that here. The emotional outrages are obvious and impulsive; I'm not interested in that.

As I asked just before that thread locked:
Does anyone have any facts about the alleged Clergy Response Team?
Once we have some facts (supporting documents, orders, contacted persons, etc.), THEN we can discuss the LEGAL factors of the case. (If the CRT doesn't actually exist beyond rumor, there is nothing to worry about.)
 
Been discussed already
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The discussion broke down into a borderline religious debate. It was closed and the moderator invited a new thread if the topic could be kept strictly on the legal aspects of the DHS plan and any potential responses thereto.
 
Yes it has been discussed; but it veered off topic and was locked. ctdonath seems to be making a good effort to keep this on topic with the new guidelines of the Legal forum.
 
Speaking as a clergy member, I have not been contacted by anybody from the government in any capacity (well, unless you count the local election office lining things up for a municipal election in a couple weeks). But nobody from DHS has so much as sent even a postcard.

I don't know if Preacherman has gotten a memo on this, but I doubt rural or suburban churches will hear anything (if in fact this is a real program). I'd think it would be only effective in places with high population density; in extreme civil disorder neither the ministers nor the members of suburban churches will be able to get to the building.
 
Rumors often start with a kernel of truth and fertilize it into a monstrous growth, so I wonder if the "Clergy Response Team" might be a way to bring volunteer comfort and support to emergency responders during a disaster. Properly implemented it could be worthwhile.

For what it's worth I believe that it would be a boundary violation for clergy to serve as agents of the state in disarming citizens engaged in lawful behavior.
 
For what it's worth I believe that it would be a boundary violation for clergy to serve as agents of the state in disarming citizens engaged in lawful behavior.
Click to expand...

Clergy really don't have "boundary violations" in the sense that physicians might. The latter group deals directly with objective health conditions, but the former deals with things that by necessity encompass all of life. While a doctor might tell a person they have contracted an STD and provide a treatment regimen, the clergy member will tell you to modify your behavior lest you harm your life and soul. The very job definition means we go places in peoples' lives others don't tread. That said, some clergy members will deal with items that others won't. Some will tell you who to vote for and what political stances to take. I won't do that- it goes outside of my purview, but others get away with it and feel comfortable doing it.

Some will see assisting the government as being "The Right Thing" to do. Others will tell the government to do their own work and restrict themselves to telling folks to "love thy neighbor as thyself" (which if you're doing that, the amount of guns and ammo you have on hand is immaterial; you won't be starting mayhem on your own hook). Separation of church and state doesn't really come into it; nobody wants rioting in their neighborhood, and if you can help ameliorate it, you are likely to do so.

I still think this issue is some brainstormed idea, and not the next sneaky way to try to confiscate arms from the populace.
 
Seems to me that calm in an emergency is a Good Thing. If the clergy can help, more power to them.

Look at the rumors that fly around this website, at the slightest possible hint of malaction at some level of government. All the silly "What if...?" speculation. If some emergency is serious enough for the feds to jump in, I can readily see where they need all the help they can get.

How we get from clergy helping to promote calmness to, "They're coming for our guns!" is more than just an Olympic record for a broad jump.

Art
 
I have served as a Police Chaplain, and also spent two weeks in LA as a Disaster Relief Chaplain following Hurricane Katrina. I wonder if an attempt to mobilize more needed chaplain resources has somehow mushroomed into a "they are enlisting preachers to help confiscate guns" rumor.
 
Sounds simply like they're trying to put together some sort of Emergency Chaplain Service that can be called up in cases like 9/11, Katrina, etc. as part of the NIMS system and National Response Plan.

Tinygnat: We have thousands of clergy in government service, they're called military Chaplains. Despite their ordination they pledge to serve all faiths and those with none.
 
MudPuppy,

It looks like the reporter in Shreveport needed to get more tinfoil. That was definitely an article with a slant.

"Don't believe half of what you read (especially on the internet) or anything you see."
 
I'm conversing with him. More to come*.

Anyone so motivated (I'm swamped) can contact Homeland Security and request more info. Search for FOIA on their website.


* - Don't read anything into that.
 
Mr. Ferrell has sent me a bunch of information (documents, letters, links). Pardon the delay as I sort thru & summarize it. He described the issue and evidence as a 'Rorschach test', and I'm inclined to agree: at first glance the materials look quite reasonable, but are subject to the eye of the beholder. I'm afraid much of the reporting & reaction is more about the story one wants to hear, instead of the story that is.
 
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