IN THEORY:Chaplains in the workplace

The military has chaplains; shouldn't those who work in the nation's food chain have the same? In fact, I think having chaplains in the military is a bigger problem. Are chaplains going to pray that our bullets are successful and their bullets are not? I'm not saying chaplains don't do the Lord's work; in fact, one of my seminary professors was a chaplain in World War II, and he believed he saved some lives.

Still, the military chaplaincy raises a thornier problem for me than does a pork-plant chaplain. It seems to me that the problem is one of sacred versus profane; those who have a problem with pork-plant chaplains don't realize that "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof," as one of the Psalms says.

There really is no difference between the sacred and the profane; everything belongs to God, including you and me. All work is honorable, as Martin Luther pointed out when he said a man could cobble shoes to the glory of God.

THE REV. C. L.

"SKIP" LINDEMAN

Congregational Church

of the Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

La Cañada Flintridge

The average American works eight hours a day, five days a week, and many of us work far longer than that. The amount of time we spend in the workplace is equal or more than the time we spend at home.

Nobody in a tolerant society would question one's religious actions at home, since that is considered an acceptable place for expressions of faith. But religion and its message of morality and peace aren't meant to be confined to the home; they should extend to all aspects of life. Just as we don't expect someone to leave behind his good manners when he walks out of his house, so too religious beliefs are meant to travel along with a person to serve as a moral compass and source of strength wherever he goes.

As long as religious practices at work don't interfere with required operations or create an unwelcome environment for co-workers who hold different beliefs, I see no reason to exclude religion from the workplace.

In fact, I believe that introducing religious activities will inevitably encourage ethical, honest behavior — which is crucial to both a successful business and a healthy society.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center