Army: Chaplain Violated Rules in Promoting Book
Update: The US Army has responded by explicitly stating that Chaplain McDougall’s infraction was an “oversight” that was easily corrected. This appears to be (yet another) a direct rebuttal to Mikey Weinstein’s call for court-martial. Via TheBlaze:
Amy spokesman LTC Ben Garrett sent TheBlaze the following response on Monday afternoon:
“U.S. Army Chaplain Capt. John McDougall has been made aware of military regulations that prohibit him from wearing a military uniform while promoting his book. His publishing company promptly removed the video from their website last week when the U.S. Army brought the oversight to their attention. A simple ‘on the spot correction’ and an explanation of the regulations was all that was need[ed] to resolve the issue and keep it from happening in the future. We are pleased with their compliance and understanding of Army regulations and requirements.”
Original story follows:
The US Army says Chaplain John McDougall violated regulations when he appeared in a video, in uniform, promoting his recently published book, Jesus was an Airborne Ranger. From the appropriately named Army spokeswoman, Tatjana Christian:
McDougall’s appearance in uniform endorsing a commercial or political venture violates military rules, said Tatjana Christian, an Army spokeswoman.
After they were contacted about the video by USA TODAY, the Army reached out to McDougall’s commanders to inform them about the rule, Christian said.
His comments were not part of his official duty, she said.
“Chaplains are authorized to offer messages endorsing Christianity while in uniform as part of their official faith group religious support duties,” Christian said. “This video was not a part of those official duties.”
The publisher took the video down, and publicist Charlene Guzman said
McDougall regrets having appeared in uniform and was not speaking on behalf of the military…
Ultimately, that should be the end of it. Military members have, on occasion, crossed lines similar to these in the past. In general, the situation is dealt with and is closed. Rarely does it make national news.
The source of the story seems to be USA Today, which included a quote from Michael “Mikey” Weinstein saying, naturally, that McDougall should be court-martialed:
McDougall should face court martial for promoting his book in uniform, said Mikey Weinstein…The video is a propaganda coup for Islamic State militants and other religious zealots, he said.
ISIS will use the video to convince followers that the United States is waging a Christian war against Muslims, he said.
“This is propaganda of unparalleled proportions for ISIS,” Weinstein said. “This message is going to kill Americans and kill innocents.”
It is generally unlikely that endorsing a product in uniform would result in court-martial, especially when the immediate reaction is to withdraw the offense and apologize. Note, however, that Weinstein is concerned less about the endorsement of the book and more about the perception of America’s enemies based on content. In other words, Weinstein takes issue with the content of the chaplain’s beliefs.
Even if it were true, upsetting the enemies of the United States is still not a court-martial offense.
Weinstein, on the other hand, appears to believe that anything that might remotely hurt religious extremists’ feelings should be banned — at least, if those actions are related to Christians. Weinstein makes these accusations even though American Christianity has never been a rallying cry for America’s extremist allies, despite Weinstein’s insinuations. On the other hand, when it comes to homosexuality, support for Jewish religious liberty, or American support for Israel — something actually cited by al Qaeda as a reason they killed Americans — Weinstein’s Christian-centric attacks fall silent.
A few others have picked up Weinstein’s vibe and attacked the chaplain for his characterization of his faith — even though the chaplain’s faith is completely irrelevant to him advertising his book in a video while in uniform, which is the only legitimate complaint against him. They are free to criticize him, of course — just as the chaplain is similarly free to characterize his faith as he chooses. That’s what liberty means.
Chaplain McDougall violated a regulation and has acknowledged he did so. He may or may not face further repercussions, and whether or not he does is likely an administrative action protected by privacy rules. But that is an entirely separate issue from those who believe, as Weinstein does, that a chaplain or other military officer should be attacked or court-martialed because of the content of his religious beliefs.
Religious freedom, including military religious freedom, is either a virtue or it is not. Those who pick the beneficiaries of liberty based on whether or not they understand or agree with the beliefs in question seem to have forgotten the foundation of liberty to begin with.
So long as it is military Christians who are being attacked, though, no one really seems to mind.
And as to the book, Jesus was an Airborne Ranger… It actually sounds kind of interesting.
Also at Deseret News, Religion News Service, ChristianPost, Stars and Stripes, and Gannett News.
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