Posted on 10/29/2005 5:13:11 AM PDT by JimRed
A letter was sent by Congressman Walter B. Jones, (R-NC), to President George W. Bush earlier this week with 69 signatures of Members of the United States House of Representatives explaining that Christian military chaplains are being told to use general terms when they pray publicly, and to not mention the name of Jesus.
The Members of the House of Representatives signing the letter to the president said: "We are disappointed and gravely concerned to learn that the Christian military chaplains are under direct attack and that their right to pray according to their faith is in jeopardy. As you may know, the Air Force leadership recently released proposed guidelines that will restrict how Air Force chaplains can pray, and if approved, those guidelines may well be implemented throughout the entire Department of Def ense. We believe that the Air Force's suppression of religious freedom is a pervasive problem throughout our nation's Armed Forces, and it has come to our attention that in all branches of the military it is becoming increasingly difficult for Christian chaplains to use the name of Jesus when praying." And these 69 Members of Congress conclude their letter saying: "We are requesting that you, as Commander-in-Chief, protect by Executive Order the constitutional right of military chaplains to pray according to their faith."
Congressman Jones said, "This is a huge issue with many of the chaplains in the military." He said, "We're giving the president an opportunity to use the Constitution to guarantee the First Amendment rights of our chaplains." Members of Congress are saying that chaplains of all faiths should be able to pray as they wish, since diversity is the very reason the military hired them in the first place. North Carolina Democrat Congressman Mike McIntyre said, "Chaplains ought to be able to pray based on who they are. Otherwise, it's hypocrisy."
Congressman Todd Tiahrt, (R-KS), sent a letter last week signed by 35 Members of the House of Representatives, to Acting Secretary of the Air Force Pete Geren expressing their "serious reservations" with the Air Force's "Interim Guidelines Concerning Free Exercise of Religion in the Air Force."
Congressman Todd Akin, (R-MO), who has two sons at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, is also gathering signatures on a letter with regards to the U.S. Air Force chaplain issue. Congressman Akins said regarding the Air Forces proposed guidelines restricting Air Force chaplains' prayers, "We're seeing the same pattern (in other services) ... and it's a pattern of hostility to freedom of speech. The chaplains have complained, and it's been increasing and more widespread and not only limited to the Air Force."
The A ir Force guidelines in their current draft form will put a chill on chaplains and officers and others in conducting their activities (prayer, evangelizing, etc.) according to the dictates of their consciences and faith. Christian Coalition will support all efforts by Members of Congress to force the military services into ceasing such discrimination. Call the White House at 202-456-1414 or email at president@whitehouse.gov and urge the president to issue an Executive Order protecting the constitutional right of military chaplains and other members of the military to pray according to their faith.
"OK, dear friends, I think you can get this one. Five letters, popular Latino first name, uh, rhymes with 'leads us.' Come on now, I know you know!"
It is simply unbelievable that the military would issue such a stupid, Yes Stupid, order. Thank the ACLU.
"Blue state of Maine?"
But . . you do have those two "Republican" senators! ;-)
Surely you gest! If anyone wants to know what a RINO or CINO is, take a look at those two. heh!
"Congressman Todd Akin, (R-MO), who has two sons at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis"
Wonder how hard it was for his sons to get a Congressional appointment to the academy? (sarc)
I did put "Republican" in quotation marks ;-)
The last I knew, the military was not constitutionally required to follow th edictates of the ACLU. If they "choose" to do so, that is another matter. The question is where is the civilian leadership of the military?
Wonder how hard it was for his sons to get a Congressional appointment to the academy? (sarc)
I know this was a sarcastic remark, but I can't help thinking that some politicians can't win. If their family members do not choose military service, the politician is criticized. If family members do choose military service, the policitician is critized.
Being "non-specific" is the right thing to do if ALL members of a unit are called together for an Officially Sanctioned Event (such as a Dining Out or Commander's Call) where the Chaplain gives a prayer. If the Chaplain's prayer ends with "Jesus Christ our Lord" (as some do), it makes the non-Christian members of the unit very uncomfortable--especially when everyone is expected to say "amen" after he finishes. However, once the Chaplain are addressing their individual congregations, there should be no such restrictions.
I know!! Got to laugh to keep from crying!
Altogether too reasonable.
Isn't that why they are Chaplains, not Ministers, Priests or Rabbis?
Boy you hit the nail on the nead ESPECIALLY on your 4th para graph about the Sub Standard US Army Officer Corps and the Wimpy ALWAYS PC US Air Force "officer" Corps.
"Changes" just magically started popping up, eh? Had nothing to do with the hostility towards Christianity by Hollywood, or lawyers supported by major media? Last I knew, these industries weren't dominated by "such people" as Muslims. Your post is either a naive fantasy, or just biased BS.
I am one of those people who do not believe that "changes" (at least major societal or cultural changes) do not undergo spontaneous metamorphases commonly. The 70's (mid-60's) saw every major source of information dramatically change in what they considered to be "good" or "right". Education, entertainment, media, all levels of government, and big business, all seemed to find new paradigms for what was proper.
One H--- of a big coincidence, eh?
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