Posted on 12/21/2005 7:24:58 AM PST by piperpilot
To pray -- or not to pray -- in Jesus' name is the question plaguing an increasing number of U.S. military chaplains, one of whom began a multiday hunger strike outside the White House yesterday.
"I am a Navy chaplain being fired because I pray in Jesus' name," said Navy Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt, who will be holding 6 p.m. prayer vigils daily in Lafayette Park.
The hunger strike is intended to persuade President Bush to issue an executive order allowing military chaplains to pray according to their individual faith traditions. The American Center for Law and Justice has gathered 173,000 signatures on a petition seeking an executive order.
Seventy-three members of Congress have joined the request, saying in an Oct. 25 letter to the president, "In all branches of the military, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Christian chaplains to use the name of Jesus when praying."
About 80 percent of U.S. troops are Christian, the legislators wrote, adding that military "censorship" of chaplains' prayers disenfranchises "hundreds of thousands of Christian soldiers in the military who look to their chaplains for comfort, inspiration and support."
Official military policy allows any sort of prayer, but Lt. Klingenschmitt says that in reality, evangelical Protestant prayers are censored. He cites his training at the Navy Chaplains School in Newport, R.I., where "they have clipboards and evaluators who evaluate your prayers, and they praise you if you pray just to God," he said. "But if you pray in Jesus' name, they counsel you."
Muslim, Jewish and Roman Catholic chaplains are likewise told not to pray in the name of Allah, in Hebrew or in the name of the Trinity, he added.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Why would he demand approval by the state? After all, his faith tells him what he must do....and he answers not to any earthly authority on such a matter as this.
Yeah, it's better they keep their sermons limited to quantum physics.
WTF is wrong with this country?
"And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice."
The new tactic being taken is freedom of speech. Freedom of religion wasn't working too well. Maybe they'll take that tact.
You know, it's hard to believe this is happening in America. Even in communist China and Russia they are beginning to have MORE religious freedom than the U.S.. It's shocking and dare I say, another "sign of the times"? Truly, even an atheist or an agnostic can see SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG!
Aint this some Bullshit?
When a Chaplain has to avoid using the name of Jesus Christ something is damned wrong with this world.
Now I know I am a fallen Christian, but I do pray, and when I do it is to God, Jesus Christ ,and the Holy Spirt,: One Trinity. They cannot be separated.
For a Christian Chaplain to be told he cannot pray to Christ is just plain horse crap.Where the hell do assholes who come up with this crap think the name Christian came from?
Yes, your'e right. However, the Bible specifically says that political power is given to people here on earth and we are to respect our leaders. I think he should be given power to do his job by the state; the state pays his salary. What I don't understand is why this is happening under a Christian president. I would have expected it under a Clinton and the new Carter, but not this president.
"Mr. Baugham said the 350 chaplains he oversees are concerned about a new set of guidelines issued in August after complaints about Christian evangelism at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The Air Force guidelines allow "a brief, nonsectarian prayer" during military ceremonies "to add a heightened sense of seriousness or solemnity, not to advance specific religious beliefs."
This has nothing to do with the President. It has to do with the DOD, Air Force. From an AF wife.
I'll bet that Muslim chaplins have no problem with praying in Allahs name.
The American Center for Law and Justice sponsored an online petition drive that urges President Bush to restore the right of Christian chaplains to pray "according to their faith" – for example, using Jesus' name in a prayer.
"However, the Bible specifically says that political power is given to people here on earth and we are to respect our leaders."
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With all due respect, their wrong.
Only political power is given to men; spiritual power comes from God.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter
Isaiah 5:20
The vermin who are pushing these policies in the military need to be identified and eradicated from their positions.
Matt.10:33
[33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Mark.8:38
[38] Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Luke.9:25
[26] For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
Rom.1:16
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom.9:33
[33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom.10:11
[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
2Tim.1:8
[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
1Pet.4:16
[16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1John.2:28
[28] And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
I think it may be very possible that He is coming SOON!
I pray Chritsian clergy remain unashamed and do not deny Him.
Isn't interesting how His name, Jesus threatens them so that they do not want it uttered. The day will come when EVERY kneww WILL bow and recognize Him.
Rom. 14:11
[11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Phil.2:10
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Never for a nano second believe I am worthy of His love. Over the years, though, I've been awed by Him and eternally grateful fo Him. He's REAL!
Exactly, and it will cause some of those athiests and agnostics to see the light! I'm not saying it's a good thing, and I'm not saying we shouldn't fight against it. But the Lord will use this. It'll be interesting to see!
No, the Bible right in what it asks. We are to pray FOR them that they soften their hearts and come around. Yeah, I know it seems like a waste of time but books in the Bible seem to suggest that God can change His mind and through Him the hearts of those who are not part of the body of Christ. Ultimately it is up to Him.
Hmm, what happened to the vaunted "seperation of church and state" the Left loves so much? I assume the ACLU will sue any day now to keep the government from telling chaplains how to pray.
Last time I checked, Christianity is about Christ. I have set about reading the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. So far, I'm still in the Old Testament, but all I could think of when I read this Washington Times story was how all sorts of calamities befell the Israelites for their stiff-necked refusal to follow God's will and turning to worship false idols. I fear that our society is following suit.
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