[jec1ny]

A cursory look for some corroborating evidence for this article came up a blank. It was not a real thorough search. But still I found nothing to back it up. Maybe the article is right on. But they did not cite a single source or reference. I am dubious to say the least.

[PAR35]

But still I found nothing to back it up.

I posted a link to a Washington Post article above. What kind of documentation do you want?

[MikefromOhio]

ping to #43

[conserv371]

Our family received Jay Sekulow's newsletter includes "Some chaplains have been criticized and even reprimanded for using Bible verses and invoking the name of Jesus in memorial services." I will try to find more out.

[PAR35]

OK. If the Washington Post isn't good enough for you, here's the original from the official Air Force site:

http://www.usafa.af.mil/superintendent/pa/religious.cfm

Scroll down to 3. B. (1) - (4) and 3. C. (1) - (3) and, specific to the AFA, 3. F. (5)

[jec1ny]

Ignore my previous posts. I have found the source of the alleged problem. And I must say that reading the Air Force's proposed guidelines, I did not see much that was objectionable. I also did not find any prohibition against praying "in Jesus Name."

I think the authors of the article posted here were stretching things a bit. I am however uncomfortable with an awful lot of the "comments" added by the ACLJ. While a few make sense... (I agree with their wanting protection for chaplains who as a matter of religious conscience can not offer non-sectarian prayers at command functions where attendance is compulsory), I think that some of their comments are disturbing to say the least.

They are really big on protecting a servicemen's right to "share their faith." Lets call this what it is. Proselytizing. And that has no place in the workplace. If people want to convert the non-believers you can work on them on your own time and off government property. I am ex military (Navy PC2)and a Catholic. I also know that in a highly structured and hierarchical society like the military its not possible in many cases to just walk away from someone who is preaching to you. They may outrank you. Or they may be a co-worker where you have to be around them on a daily basis. As a supervisor both in the military and the civilian world I would not tolerate anyone preaching in the work place. Its not professional and there is no way especially in the service for someone to escape it if he or she is uncomfortable. Telling someone to stop is inviting ostracism or harassment and it goes without saying that if they outrank you it can be extremely difficult to say "thanks but I already have a religion and I am not interested in yours" or words to that effect.

In closing I would say that I think this article is misleading to say the least. I also strongly disagree with efforts to establish a right to use the military as a field for evangelizing or any other kind of missionary activity.