Military Chaplains: Protecting the Right to Pray

It's an issue we've discussed many times - protecting the constitutional rights of military chaplains to pray according to the dictates of their own faith.  That means Christian chaplains being able to pray in the name of Jesus.  In fact, some Christian military chaplains have been denied the right to pray in Jesus name for fear of retribution and even discipline by military officials. 

As you also know, there are those who would like nothing more than to censor military chaplains.  And, that's why we're engaging this issue once again.

That's why we're supporting new legislation from Congressman Walter Jones (R-N.C.) who has introduced a bill, H.R. 268, to ensure that every military chaplain has the prerogative to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplains own conscience.  You can read the bill here.

The bill, if enacted, would amend the United States Code provisions concerning chaplains for the Army, the U.S. Military Academy, the Navy and Marine Corps, the Air Force, and the Air Force Academy, to include the following language:  If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, a chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplains own conscience.

While the legislation is an important factor in protecting the rights of military chaplains, we are also urging President Obama to issue an Executive Order to do just that.

Now, more than ever our military men and women - on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq - are fighting for our freedoms and facing grave danger each and every day.  That's why it is so important for military chaplains who provide comfort for our armed forces must be permitted to pray according to the dictates of their own faith.

You can make a difference.  Add your name to our Petition to Protect Military Prayer and do it right now.

We will keep you posted on this situation as it develops.