Posted on 10/02/2008 6:01:17 AM PDT by TPOOH
And Virginia may vote Democratic this year. Can you see the pieces of the puzzle coming together?
How often does the U.S. Constitution have to be thrown in Americans faces and trampled on the ground, before we grovel at our governmental masters feet and beg forgiveness.
Oh ... yes ... We already do that.
I agree. This is another example of the way that atheism is effectively the State Religion of America. They are forcing everyone of different religious persuasions to toe THEIR line, rather than allowing religious diversity to flourish. They can't directly eradicate the other faiths, so they try to make them conform to atheistic expectations.
LOL!
I was in the Air Force as a medic and often had to call in the chaplain on call, as you might imagine, to come into the ER.
Now I’m a civilian working in hospice, aqnd we also have chaplains, and they too are on call.
We have our own social workers that pull call, the naqture of the job requires that we have our own chaplains, much as police and military organizations do. There are characteristics inherent of the job that simply don’t facilitate hiring a chaplain from the “outside”.
The issue here isn’t that they have chaplains, rather what they’re “allowed” to say as Christians.
As near as I can tell, and I have a military career as a chaplain behind me, there has been no direct policy requiring that military chaplains are prohibited from praying in Jesus name.
There have been recommendations to that effect by less than thoughtful military bureaucrats and officers, and there have even been local ranking chaplains and commanders who’ve tried to enforce such a policy in their local area, but the truth remains that it is not a blanket requirement.
Some say that a distinction should be made between a required unit gathering and a voluntary gathering for religious purposes. Obviously, a voluntary gathering for religious purposes must be allowed to practice their own religion. It would be a constitutional violation of the worst kind to attempt to control that setting.
My opinion about a required gathering is that if they invite a chaplain to pray, they should be able to deal with the fact that that chaplain is of a particular religion and denomination. If he’s buddhist, then expect something different than if he’s a southern baptist. Seriously....grow up America. We’ve got different religions out there — what a shock!
If the commanders don’t like buddha, allah, God, and Jesus being mentioned, then what in the hell are they inviting a chaplain for in the first place? Take that part out of the flippin’ ceremony.
I am amazed that we have such a stupid discussion going on in the first place.
should have pinged you to #26
Perhaps if they prayed in the name of Yeshua or Emmanuel they could follow Christ’s law while avoiding violating the letter of the state law...after all Emmanuel and Yeshua are perfectly acceptable names for Jesus. They should try it and watch them turn the new regs into knots!
Great post! I agree with every statement.
If you read it as “State police Chaplins” that is your own doing. “State Police” chaplins.
The State can no more make Christianity the state religion than it can RESTRICT the free exercise of Christianity.
Forcing the chaplins to omit Jesus’ name is such a violation.
Maybe they could pray in the name of “Hey-soos”!
see #26
I think the Chaplains should continue as normal, using His name as they see fit.
We must take America back. At every opportunity when something like this presents itself, the local community must make it’s feelings known. We must exercise our rights (including freedom of speech and religion) while we still have them.
Actually they are prohibited from doing so, if only the religious would litigate up to the Supreme Court to clearly establish what is at stake.
Thank you. I put up with that crap when on active duty, and I was always amazed that such small-picture people made it to the top.
Our God has many names. The Trinity : Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Many names that will overcome Virginia’s foolish legalisms. Any Spirit filled Chaplain may proclaim his love for our Lord and Savior without saying Jesus. No court can write sufficient laws to supress the FAITH.
When the Muslims have their turn to pray, it can be the same deal. Or even have several faiths represented outside at once.
Do you mean the state of Va. can jail a Muslim and not have to provide a prayer mat and special diet?
Let’s see...Lion of the tribe of Judah, I Am, Rising Star of Jacob, the Morning Star, Lamb of God, Alpha and Omega,(or A to Z in our vernacular),Son of David,Son of God, or the English translation of Jesus Christ which means Saviour Anointed!
Any of those names could be used and not violate the state regs as currently written!
The Va state Police commander made such a rule...or am I misunderstanding your post!
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