House bill would remove limits on military prayer

Washington Times ^ | 10 May 2006 | Amy Fagan

[Aussie Dasher]

Tucked into a massive defense authorization bill that the House will vote on this week is a provision aimed at giving military chaplains more freedom to pray as they see fit.

The language was crafted by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, California Republican, and Rep. Walter B. Jones, North Carolina Republican, and is part of the defense bill approved by Mr. Hunter's panel last week.

Mr. Jones and others have long complained that some military chaplains feel restricted in how they can pray and have been encouraged, in some instances, not to pray in Jesus' name.

Mr. Hunter said it is "folly" to tell chaplains to "start editing prayers."

"I think this is good for chaplains of all faiths," he said of the new provision.

A Pentagon spokeswoman wouldn't comment on the matter because it involves pending legislation.

The provision would establish that, in each branch of the military, chaplains "would have the prerogative to pray according to the dictates of their own consciences, except as must be limited by military necessity." It says that whenever such military necessity is cited, "it would be imposed in the least restrictive manner feasible."

The Navy has a policy that asks chaplains of all faiths to consider the views of their audience before invoking specific religious beliefs. That appears to be similar to the Air Force guidelines from February of this year, which read in part that "nondenominational, inclusive prayer or a moment of silence may be appropriate for military ceremonies or events of special importance when its primary purpose is not the advancement of religious beliefs."

[Aussie Dasher]

The removal of these ridiculous limits would be a major victory for common sense!

[burzum]

So what is this? A law that says that now we can follow the first amendment?

[gogogodzilla]

Just great, more Muslim chaplains can offer a prayer, in a military formation no less, to Allah... calling for the death of all the infidels.

Just fricken' great.

"Honest, sir! He was just 'praying according to the dictates of his own conscience'."

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When did I wake up in the frigging Twilight Zone. Republicans calling for 'windfall taxes', limits to oil drilling off the coasts, green vehicles, more illegal immigration, forcing Allah down the military's throat, and spending like a drunken sailor.

If that's a frigging Republican... what the heck's a Democrat?

[Purrcival]

Actually, I think this may be in response to a military chaplain who may have been removed for invoking the name of Jesus Christ. The prayers to Allah may end up being an unintended consequence.