Posted on 05/04/2006 9:14:42 AM PDT by DesScorp
NORFOLK, Va. -- A chaplain stationed at Naval Station Norfolk said he could face court-martial for praying in uniform outside the White House.
Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt said he prayed at a March 30 protest opposing Department of Defense rules forbidding military chaplains from invoking the name of Jesus Christ.
He's accused of violating an order not to appear in uniform at news conferences in support of personal or religious issues.
The issue seems to hinge on whether his praying at the event was permissible participation at a bona fide religious service. Klingenschmitt is rejecting non-judicial punishment in favor of trial by court-martial.
In addition, he's filing a complaint against the Navy claiming the threat of punishment against him amounts to religious harassment and he's appealing to the White House to end what he claims are the military's attempts to take reprisals against a whistle-blower.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbc4.tv ...
Chaplains can't pray? Maybe we just don't need chaplains any longer in the armed forces. Maybe we can just get by with imams.
We are such a soft people...
This is not true. Chaplain Klingenschmidt is a liar and a publicity hound. I think the guy's off his rocker.
Misleading headline. Chaplain on trial for disobeying a direct order.
I heard this guy on Hannity spewing all of his lies and then after he hung up they put on his Command Chaplain who refuted every single charge that he made. The Command Chaplain stated in no uncertain terms that he is a Christain and that when he prays he does so to and in the name of Jesus Christ and he would expect that all his Christian chaplains do as well.
chaplain ping
Generally, military personnel are not to bring their troubles to the press in uniform.
The headline to this story is very misleading. So before everyone gets too upset, read the article, or at least the quote from it I have posted above my comment. The Chaplain is not on trial for "praying".
IIRC, the order was not to invoke a specific diety during non-religious ceremonies, i.e. an opening prayer at a change of command.
Not all that unreasonable if you think about it, a chaplain has to minister to all faiths not just their own denomination.
Right.
Ouch, that's also a conduct unbecoming charge. This guy is hell-bent on causing trouble. Almost makes me wonder if he's got a book written or ghost-written, just waiting for WND Press to publish it?
This issue came about because a chaplain at the Air Force Academy (who I think was evangelical) kept invoking Jesus Christ's name during a prayer. Because of complaints by Jewish cadets, the Air Force created stricter guidelines that said Chaplians must offer only "nonsectarian" prayers. As I understand it, that is what the role of a Military Chaplain is right?
Uh...have you got a link for your information?
If you do not go through your immediate CO first? Absolutely. It's an abrogation of your CO's command authority. ("You will respect your skipper's authori-TAAH!")
He did this while afloat, to boot--and a ship's captain is the last of the absolute monarchs. The Navy's culture isn't that different than that portrayed in "Master and Commander."
What I do find to be incredible is that they have told chaplains not to proselytize on duty.
Just unbelievable.
I believe your main mission as a Christian minister is to bring people to Christ, whether you are a chaplain or not.
What are they supposed to say, "Oh, I believe in Christ, but don't take that as an invitation to come to my services."
My understanding is he has a problem praying as he wants to by saying in Jesus Name; however, he's probably gone about this the wrong way.
Having said that, I've always found the chaplain service a bit silly. Having a Catholic priest pray for a muslim on his deathbed because there isn't an imam available...is just stupid.
The more of a devout believer you are the more silly it is to have another faith "bless" you on your way out of the world.
The best answer is to let catholics teach catholics/protestants preach to protestants/mulims to muslims/etc...
Then just hire the correct number based the number of military members that subscribe to that faith. If we dont' have your faith...sorry choose a more mainstream religion or learn to practice on your own.
One issue this guy is talking about is that he's not allowed to pray "In Jesus Name"...it has to be a generic prayer at community events. So that does bring up a sticky situation. I always prayed in Jesus Name, but what would I think if I was a banquet and the Priest prayed through Mary? Or a Muslim prayed to Allah.
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