Military chaplains do more than offer prayers or lead worship services—they are moral guides in environments where silence and conformity often dominate. When it comes to racial injustice in the armed forces, chaplains have the opportunity to speak truth, offer healing, and promote lasting change.
Dr. Gary Mason, II—a retired U.S. Army Captain—shows us just how powerful that role can be. He served as a Chaplain Candidate that graduated from the U.S. Army Chaplain Officer Basic Course. In his memoir, Persecuted to Love: A Soldier's Story, he shares how standing up against racism in the military nearly cost him everything. His experience reveals how chaplains can be both spiritual shepherds and defenders of justice.
Let's explore what chaplains can do to confront racism and create a more just and inclusive military culture.
Why Chaplains Matter in the Fight Against Racism
Military chaplains are uniquely positioned to confront racism. Here's why:
1. Trusted Moral Voices
Chaplains hold a special kind of authority, not based on rank, but on trust. Soldiers confide in them during crises. When a chaplain speaks out about racism or discrimination, people listen.
2. Witnesses to Hidden Harm
Unlike commanders who focus on operations, chaplains often see the emotional toll of injustice. They hear the private struggles, racist comments, unfair treatment, and fear of speaking out. This gives them insight that others might miss.
3. Messengers of Love and Truth
Chaplains are trained to lead with empathy and compassion. When others stay silent, chaplains can speak with boldness and integrity. They remind everyone that love, justice, and dignity go hand in hand.
In Persecuted to Love, Mason helped soldiers even as he himself was under fire. He became a voice for the voiceless, and that's exactly the kind of leadership the military needs more of.
What Chaplains Can Do Now
Chaplains don't need to wait for permission to stand against injustice. Here are ways they can act today:
Foster Honest Conversations
Open dialogue is the first step to healing. Chaplains can create safe spaces for service members to share their experiences with racism. These conversations break down walls of fear and silence.
Support Those in Pain
Chaplains are often the first people soldiers turn to. When someone reports racism or discrimination, they can help them navigate the system, and let them know they're not alone.
Challenge Harmful Norms
When racism is normalized or excused, chaplains must speak up. That may mean challenging a toxic leader, reporting unfair treatment, or advocating for systemic change.
Preach Forgiveness But Not Silence
Mason's message wasn't just about exposing injustice but also choosing love over hate. Forgiveness doesn't mean ignoring wrongdoing. It means refusing to be consumed by it.
Lead by Example
Chaplains can model the courage it takes to stand for what's right. That kind of leadership inspires others to speak up, too.
A Spiritual Calling to Justice
Dr. Mason used his personal journey as the foundation for his doctoral ministry project, focusing on healing through reconciliation. He drew inspiration from South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, an effort that confronted decades of apartheid with honesty and compassion.
He believes that the U.S. military needs its own reckoning. And chaplains can help lead it.
Their training, their position, and their faith make them natural leaders in the struggle against injustice. Not by force, but by example.
Persecuted to Love is a wake-up call. Dr. Mason reminds us that captains and chaplains must take charge as moral leaders. They have a sacred role: to protect the hearts and souls of those who serve. That includes standing up when those same hearts are wounded by hate.
This isn't just about the military. It's about humanity. About choosing love over fear. Truth over silence. Courage over comfort.
Looking for inspiration on how faith can overcome injustice?
Check out Persecuted to Love by Dr. Gary Mason, II. This powerful true story is a guide for those seeking purpose and healing.
