75,000 Concerned Citizens Support Chaplains Prayer

I am happy to report that as of this morning, we now have 75,053 concerned citizens who have signed on to support our chaplains and their efforts to maintain the ability to pray according to the dictates of their faith commitment.  Our ultimate goal in this project is 100,000 signatures.  Once we obtain this goal, we will send the information to the White House to urge the President to enact an Executive Order in order to protect chaplains and their ability to pray. 

For those who are not familiar with this issue, let me give you a brief background on what has happened.  A group of Christian Congressmen led by Congressman Walter Jones has asked for a Presidential Executive Order protecting military chaplains.  Several chaplains have been reprimanded for using overtly Christian language in public settings.  I have had an opportunity to meet with Congressman Jones, who is leading the congressional delegation on this important issue.  Congressman Jones related that officers have been criticized and even reprimanded for using Bible verses and invoking the name of Jesus in memorial services.  As Congressman Jones correctly noted, this is a First Amendment issue:  Our chaplains should not have any second thoughts about how they should pray.  Let their hearts speak with what God puts in their minds to pray. 

The free exercise of religion applies to military chaplains.  So far, there are 35 House members who have agreed to sign a letter to President Bush asking for an Executive Order protecting the constitutional right of military chaplains to pray according to their faith.  U.S. Senator James Inhofe, Republican from Oklahoma, has also pledged his support for the measure.

Part of the issue surrounds the proposed guidelines being introduced by the Air Force that emphasize nondenominational prayers in military ceremonies.  Our senior staff has prepared a comprehensive memorandum of law on this point that will be circulated to the military and to members of Congress.  ACLJ Senior Counsel Skip Ash, who has 20 years of experience in the military, including time at the Pentagon, is leading this effort.

We are working hard to protect the rights of chaplains to fulfill their mission of providing spiritual comfort and aid to those serving to protect America.  This is one of the most significant projects weve undertaken.  Your support for this effort is critical.  Click here to add your name to a letter going to the White House urging support for Congressman Joness efforts to restore First Amendment freedoms to military chaplains.