Defending Chaplains' Right to Pray

Yesterday evening, I received a call from Congressman Walter Jones concerning proposed modifications to the Defense Appropriations Bill that have military chaplains very concerned.  As many of you know, for months we have been working with the United States Air Force to protect the rights of military chaplains to pray according to the dictates of their faith commitment.  This would allow Christian chaplains to end their prayer "in Jesus' name" if they feel so led.  We were pleased with this victory for the U.S. Air Force but were concerned with the other branches of the military.

Congressmen Duncan Hunter, Walter Jones and Jim Ryun have worked diligently to include language in the Defense Appropriations Bill which allowed chaplains to pray according to their conscience.  The Senate Defense Appropriations Bill does not have language addressing chaplains right to pray according to the dictate of their conscience.  However, language proposed by the Senate, specifically Senator Warner, would require chaplains to be "sensitive to the audience when praying in public," meaning avoid offending anyone who might be in the audience.  In essence, this is a hecklers veto, which the Supreme Court has consistently ruled against.  Senator Warners proposed language fails to address the current viewpoint and content-based discrimination and other constitutional violations in the Armed Services Regulations.

We are working diligently over the next several days with members of the United States Congress to ensure that our military chaplains are protected.  If you would like to help in this important effort, please click here to sign a petition that is going to Senator Warner's office over the coming days.  It is critical that our chaplains be protected in their ability to pray.