The word "chaplain" is usually associated by most people in the U.S. with a Christian priest or pastor preaching or conducting religious services in a hospital, school, or prison. However, as society becomes more religiously (and irreligiously) diverse, the idea of a professional, secular and non-denominational chaplain is gaining popularity.
Instead of endorsing a specific religion, chaplains provide pastoral care, which involves guidance and emotional or spiritual support to members of the institution they are attached to. By being religiously neutral, these chaplains are able to reach out to as many people as possible, respecting their personal beliefs rather than trying to convert them. This is especially important in healthcare settings, where preaching or proselytizing to people in dire medical situations can be seen as unethical and even predatory.
