Iowa schools could hire religious chaplains under proposed legislation

[rurallib]

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/01/30/iowa-schools-could-hire-religious-chaplains-under-proposed-legislation/?emci=68e96e25-cabf-ee11-b660-002248223197&emdi=ae847e47-30c0-ee11-b660-002248223197&ceid=78311.

Iowa school districts could hire religious chaplains to counsel students under a bill given preliminary approval Tuesday in a House subcommittee.

House File 2073 advanced after the Tuesday meeting; a Senate subcommittee passed its version of the bill, Senate Study Bill 3092, last week. The legislation would allow chaplains to serve as an employee or volunteer at Iowa schools, providing “support, services and programs” to students.

The proposal is similar to a Texas law signed in 2023, seeking to address staffing shortages by employing chaplains as school counselors. While the Iowa bill would not employ chaplains as counselors, they would be allowed to provide many of the same supports typically covered by counseling services.

The bill does not define “chaplain,” a term that commonly refers to a member of the clergy attached to a military or first responder unit, hospital or private chapel or institution.

Multiple speakers said that they were concerned about the legislation because it does not require chaplains to be licensed, certified or have a special endorsement in order to be able to work in a school — a requirement for other school employees. Chaplains would be required to pass a background check.

Comment:
My schooling consisted of 12 years of catholic school. We had all sorts of religious folks in counseling type roles. I was molested, several of my classmates were molested. Abuse of all types was rampant. When will Iowans wake up to the realize that religion does not equal good?

This is of course yet another attempt by the religious far right to impose their views an children when they are young.

[Ocelot II]

1. "Youth pastors" employed by public schools?

I don't like where that's going....

[rurallib]

2. right with you. The kind of person attracted to that job is not the

kind off person you want in such a job.

[patphil]

3. Another example of right-wing christian grooming.

It's only okay when they do it.

[progressoid]

4. Nearly every day there is a story of pastors, ministers, priests preying on teens. This is a horrible idea.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PastorArrested/

[progressoid]

5. There is a bright spot in the article though...

Mortimer Adramelech, a minister of the Satanic Temple, said he was opposed to the bill on the basis of the separation of church and state.

“But if the bill does pass, I’m excited for the opportunities it presents for the Satanic Temple to provide support, services and programs to school children in our state,” Adramelech said. “Iowa has several ordained Ministers of Satan, and we would be happy to engage children. Hail Satan, Hail Iowa, and thank you for your time.”

[rurallib]

6. thanks for adding this. At least the Temple tries to deal in reality