Altars Quote by Herman Melville
“A chaplain is the minister of the Prince of Peace serving the host of the God of War--Mars. As such, he is as incongruous as a musket would be on the altar at Christmas. Why, then, is he there? Because he indirectly subserves the purpose attested by the cannon; because too he lends the sanction of the religion of the meek to that which practically is the abrogation of everything but brute Force.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Role of Chaplains, 1850
A chaplain’s presence is paradoxical, juxtaposing peace with war, questioning his purpose.
In simple terms: Chaplain’s role seems contradictory.
Key Takeaway
Examine the paradox of peace in war.
Themes
faith
war
paradox
service
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- military chaplaincy
- ethical dilemmas
- spiritual support
Key Concepts
theology
moral ambiguity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies embed peace symbols in war?
- How does this paradox affect chaplains?
A Different Perspective
Balancing moral contradictions can cause inner conflict.
![“…[E]veryone knew that sin was evil, and that no good could come from evil. But he did feel good; he felt positively marvellous. Consequently, it followed logically that telling lies and defecting from duty could not be sins. The chaplain had mastered, in a moment of divine intuition, the handy…” quote by Joseph Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a4/joseph-heller-601_character_e-veryone-knew-that-sin-was-evil-and-tha_777165.jpg)
