Annotations Related to Military Chaplaincy

Horton’s page-turner autobiography recounts her courageous experience rising to the highest place of distinction in the Army Chaplain Corps with, as she often heard, two strikes against her: her Christian Science faith tradition and her being among the first few women to enter the chaplain corps.

Stahl’s study of the intertwined relationship between religion and the military opens a unique but revealing window on the role of religion in society. The distinctive role of Christian Science is sprinkled throughout the book. Hempstead Lyons, a Christian Science practitioner, sought to offer services, but the military’s failure to distinguish Christian Science from other groups resulted in excluding him.

Schuette, a former U.S. Army chaplain representing the Christian Science Church, cites records of the Christian Science chaplaincy during WWI and WWII. But his focus is on the post-WWII years where he presents insights into the service of Christian Science chaplains as well as the context and issues faced by chaplains of all faiths.

Nazi persecution of some Christian denominations preceding and during WWII, particularly Christian Science, involved censorship and economic and political restrictions on circulating religious literature and the freedom to practice religion. Stories of authenticated testimonies include statements by those dealing with formidable challenges, along with stories of courage and fidelity of Christian Scientists standing before prying eyes of the Gestapo in Germany.