Navy chaplain's complaint ruled 'without merit'

Washington Times ^ | 7/6/6 | Rowan Scarborough

[ZGuy]

A Navy review has concluded that a complaint from a ship chaplain was "without merit" when he charged that his commanding officer harassed him by discouraging the use of certain Bible quotations.

But Navy Lt. Gordon J. Klingenschmitt said the report actually backs up his complaint, even though the chief investigator sided with the commander.

Lt. Klingenschmitt has waged a national campaign to fight military restrictions on what chaplains preach. He also has turned to Congress, which is debating legislation to ensure religious freedom for chaplains.

Lt. Klingenschmitt's complaint stems from a memorial sermon he delivered for a deceased petty officer. The ship's captain and some crew did not think it was inclusive; Lt. Klingenschmitt said he was abiding by his faith when he preached the Gospels, including John's admonition that eternal life goes only to those who believe in the son of God.

"It's well-documented he punished me in writing three times for my sermon," Klingenschmitt said. " ... They want to take a black marker to my Bible and tell me I can't read that Scripture in the chapel."

The chaplain said his commanding officer retaliated against him by downgrading his January 2005 fitness report. But Adm. Ruehe concluded that the report "was not the result of improper discrimination on the basis of his religious beliefs or the practice of his faith, but rather Captain Carr's legitimate evaluation of his performance of duty."

Concerning the sermon, the Ruehe report says, "Prior to the event, Captain Carr did not review Lieutenant Klingenschmitt's sermon, nor censor it in any way.

Lt. Klingenschmitt responded that his bishop required him to preach all the Gospels. But Adm. Ruehe said the chaplain presented no document requiring him to preach all the Gospels at that particular memorial service.