Military chaplains told to shy from Jesus

The Washington Times ^ | 12/21/05 | Julia Duin

[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.

[sangoo]

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...

Uh, I think we've been duped. This and a whole host of other things, but the way he is treating Isreal is the worst.

[joesnuffy]

Or the Wiccan chaplains in the name of the horned god.

[trebb]

I love the prophets!

Merry Christmas and God bless

[joesnuffy]

Sending our sons and daughters into battle without allowing them to call upon the name of their Savior and worship freely
is patently wrong...

To secure these kinds of freedom for those oppressed and to maintain these kinds of freedom right here at home...

Rummie...shape these people up ASAP

imo

[Stark_GOP]

"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."
---
Sorry. The Bible commands you to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
You are right that we should pray for them but I will not deny His name.

[stuartcr]

What does the Sec of Def have to say about this?

[Freepdonia]

"No Islamic chaplain has been refused to pray in the name of Allah, as far as we know. Neither has a rabbi been rebuked for making references to Hanukkah, and no Catholic priest has been rebuked for referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary."

Since Catholics worship Jesus and place Mary below the Messiah, sounds like they are restricted from practicing their faith, too.

[nmh]

I agree with all you've said.

There are ALWAYS consequences for foolish behavior.

This is also true to:

Hebrews 12:6,7

[6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

[7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

No matter how you cut it, it's not good. Believer or otherwise. It only shows how outrageous and confident that godless have become to request THIS.

[Jim_Curtis]

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!

The same thing has been going on for 2000 years but the protectors of the faith used to have no tolerance for those who would do the church harm, so the faith was able to survive. Same with Islam but their protectors still don't tolerate those who would do them harm so Islam will continue to survive whereas Christianity will likely disappear for failing to terrorize its enemies.

[nmh]

You may want to check out these two verse and others in the Bible concerning those in positions of authority and the Christian obligation to pray for them:

Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

This does not distract from being His ambassador. Both are compatible and reinforce the other - prayer to Him can change things. Each is a witness for Him.

[spkpls4]

From being in a military family for 20 years, I can say with much certainty that the military members do not have the same freedoms as civilians in relation to first amendment rights, etc. In that regard, it seems to me the chaplains will follow orders from command as military members first. What I am trying to say is that the military for them IS first; then the chaplain part of their service is second.

Many may disagree with this, but in relation to other areas of the military, I truly believe this to be the case in most if not all aspects.

[nmh]

I chalk it up to the falling away ... .

2Thes.2:3

[3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

The Christian adversary has become emboldened. Many on FR are on His side - look how "tolerant" they are of His removal.

[nmh]

I never suggested we deny His name.

I stated otherwise.

[Galveston Grl]

That blind obedience missive is carried a tad far. Jesus was very uppity with unjust power - especially when it was used to demean his Father's house. Remember the temple?

This holy man is just upturning some tables in the Military's temple where praying to Jesus is banned in his own house of worship.

Do you think Jesus would want Christians to obey Hitler's order to kill Jews? I don't think so.

[Stark_GOP]

1 Timothy 2:1-3

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;
---
But you are not allowed to do it in Jesus' name.
The moment of decision is upon us. Whom will we serve.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

You are full of so much b--- s---. You realize that. You insist on always misstating what Roman Catholics believe. We do not pray to Mary and other dead Saints. Jesus is mentioned a great deal in the Mass and in the prayers used by Catholic Chaplains. Your vile filth pollutes any discussion amongst religious matters, because Catholics are always the bad guy. Cut it out.

[Stark_GOP]

"We'll see who's who within the military clergy ... some will want that pension and medical benefits ... what's that I heard about the love of money ... ? ;)"
---
Do you take a paycheck at your job?