Now  that  you  have  read  about  weddings  and funerals, let’s talk about the subject with which you will be  routinely  involved—worship. WORSHIP Because worship is an important activity of the church and the Chaplain Corps, it is vitally important to you—the RP. Worship is the way of expressing one’s faith. The rites of worship are the acts of a faith group’s personal and total devotion. Worship can be defined as a faithful human response to the revelation of God’s being, character, beneficence, and will. In worship, God is adored simply as God. God’s character is praised, thanks are given for God’s acts, and conformity to God’s will is sought. For most humans, ritual is natural. It is therefore the act of worship that has always been considered to be the heart of any religion. A knowledge of worship is basic   for   a   supportive   respect   of   all   religious movements. For you, the RP, a knowledge of worship is  imperative. RELIGIOUS  MINISTRY You will routinely assist chaplains in providing religious  ministry  to  sea  service  personnel,  their families, and other entitled members of the Department of the Navy. According to Religious Ministries in the Navy,  OPNAVINST  1703.  1B,  the  first  major  CRP responsibility   is   to   provide   or   facilitate   worship opportunities  and  participation. RELIGIOUS  PLURALISM Although chaplains will conduct worship according to  their  distinct  faith  groups,  all  religious  support personnel must remain sensitive to religious pluralism in the Navy and Marine Corps. As an RP, you must be prepared  to  support  a  multiplicity  of  rites  of  liturgical worship and special and holy day events. As well as your chaplain’s faith group’s practices, you must be aware of the chapel decor, liturgical seasons, and special worship considerations of other faith groups. In short, your role as an RP is important and will require a special knowledge  of  the  leading  religions  and  an  awareness  of other belief systems. Major  Religions The major religions of today include Buddhism, Christianity,  Islam,  and  Judaism.  Christianity  is  the prevailing religion of all Europe, the Americas, southern and  western  Africa,  and  Australia.  Buddhism,  Islam, and Judaism are the principal religions of the other parts of the world. You will see a great deal of global religious variety in America and in the United States Navy. Remember,  Navy  chaplains  and  RPs  exist  in  an environment of religious pluralism. Other Faith Groups As well as the leading religions, you will come into contact  with  smaller  groups  consisting  of  several different belief systems. As part of the recent spiritual and  new  age  social  movement,  for  example,  many Americans are expressing a variety of different religious concepts. New age movements may include religions of the eastern tradition, holistic healing, channeling, and vegetarianism. You will encounter these beliefs among our  Navy  personnel. Missionary Work Missionary work is an important activity of many different  churches.  Missionary  work  involves  preaching, teaching, and performing works of charity. Through missionary  work,  many  faith  groups  will  devote  some means to the continuance and growth of faith. In the following sections, we will tell you about the acts of worship of the major faith groups: Buddhism, Christianity,  Islam,  and  Judaism.  These  four  faith groups  currently  comprise  the  major  faiths  represented in North America and in the Navy. In the following sections, we will take a comprehensive look at each of these  major  religious  groups.  We  will  start,  in alphabetical  order,  with  Buddhism. BUDDHISM Buddha is the name of a great teacher who founded the religion called Buddhism. Buddha, the enlightened one, was a prophet who lived in India 2,500 years ago. Buddha  taught  people  the  meaning  of  reverence,  the love of truth, and the evils of superstition. Today in the western world, Buddha is honored as one of the great teachers of all times. In 1987, the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) became the first non-Judeo-Christian faith group to become   an   ecclesiastical   endorsing   agency.   The national  headquarters  is  the  Office  of  the  Bishop. Although the titular head of the American Buddhist Church bears the title of bishop, Buddhist clergy in parts of Asia are addressed as Bhikku and belong to the Buddhist  monastic  order  called  the  Sangah. The  organizational  structure  of  the  American Buddhist Church varies with its branches. Buddhist churches  are  divided  geographically  into  districts.  Each congregation  institutes  programs  to  meet  the  spiritual, social,  and  educational  needs  of  its  members.  Any 1-8