The Unitarian Universalist Chaplains’ Commission Opposes Compulsory Chapel For United States Armed Forces Personnel ‘he General Commission on Chaplains nd Armed Forces Personnel, of which he Unitarian Universalist Association is 4 member, has issued a statement con- lemming compulsory chapel attendance as 2 violation of individual constitutional rights. | ‘While expressing sympathy with the in- tentions of those who support compulsory chapel, the chaplains’ group held that "Our religious history and experience have amply demonstrated that voluntarism is an essential element in the health and vi- tality of the religious life of individuals, churches, and synagogues. We believe that the military establishment would experi- ence the same positive values if it consist: ently adhered to that principle,” especially if cadets were encouraged to attend “the worship service of their choice.” Earlier this year a spirited controversy erupted over compulsory chapel require- ments at the United States Air Force Acad- emy, Colorado Springs (June “Leader” In letters published by a Denver news paper, cadets complained that the re- quired chapel services at the academy barred them from attending services of their own denominations and tended to alienate the cadets from religion entirely. ‘An academy spokesman replied that the policy “is fele necessary to maintain a re ligious program which provides future Air Force leaders with enough understand- ing of religion to effectively carry out their duties as commanders. Chapel attendance is designed not to force religious beliefs on individual cadets, but to provide spirit. ual training valuable to them as career Air Force officers.” This argument, in the opinion of Dr. William B. Rice, minister of the Unitarian Society of Wellesley Hills, Mass, and until recently UUA representative on the Com- mission on Chaplains, was effectively ‘orn apart” by the statement issued by the chaplains. “Comprising thirty-six Prot cstant denominations,” said Dr. Rice, “the commission represents the central core of Protestantism in the United States, and members of the commission do not believe that compulsory chapel provides ‘under- standing of religion to effectively carry out their duties as commanders.’ " ‘The commission, which serves as liaison agency between churches and the federal government, is concerned with the moral and religious welfare of military personnel and the armed forces’ and veterans’ chap. Taincies, Its report has been sent to the United States Department of Defense. “We think they will listen to us,” said Dr. Rice, St. Lawrence Foundation Established ‘The board of trustees of the St. Lawrence University Theological School voted, Oc- tober 16, to establish the St. Lawrence Foundation for ‘Theological Education. ‘The action follows the board's decision to lose the school after June, 1965. Appropriate legislation is necessary by the New York State legislature co establish the foundation. “In effect,” said a news release from St. Lawrence, “this [foundation] will continue the support of theological education and other objectives consistent with such gen- eral purposes as are inherent in” the pres ent theological school charter. “The board further voted," continued the release, “to discontinue its piese gotiations with other schools, although this is not to preclude the successor body reop- ening such discussions at any future date. “The board did vote to pass on to its suc- ‘cessor the expectation of using its funds in such manner that they serve the best ends of theological educat the Unitarian Universalist Association as a whole.” RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS: Members of the congregation of the Unitarian Univer: salist Church of Springheld, Vt, admire new religious symbols which decorate the worship center of the church. “The Jewish Star of David and the Christian cross symbolize the church's roots," said a church spokesman, “while the two intersect- ing circles of Universalism, which alo appear on many publications of the Uni- tarian Universalist Association, represent the universal faith that finds values in the truths and traditions of all mankind.” The star and circles were created by church members out of sheet steel which they chrome plated. The cross was given by a church member. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST REGISTER-LEADER, JANUARY, 1965, 19