I find the ideas of gods, spirit and demons to be very unlikely, and we are quite capable of destroying ourselves without external agency. Of course I may be wrong. Your thoughtful response is appreciated none the less.
According to Geneva Convention they are considered non-combatants and are not permitted to engage in direct combat. The US military doesn't allow them to carry weapons any more. They are given armed assistants to protect them.
Dear Whistle 6, I found an article from an Army website, date 2006...
"A chaplain cannot carry a weapon in combat," said Sgt. Benjamin Decker. "In a combat environment, I work basically as a bodyguard for the chaplain. ... I cover down and make sure I keep my chaplain safe."
A chaplain is a kind of ayatollah whose task is to keep up the courage of the troops by helping them to believe that should they be killed in battle they will live again in Paradise. (70-odd virgins are not an option.)
