As noted earlier, the ACLU has complained again about the Naval Academy noon meal process that “[offers] Midshipmen an opportunity for prayer or devotional thought.” Former Navy Chaplain Klingenschmitt, of court martial fame, addresses the issue by asking
…does the First Amendment protect the freedom of religious expression…or does it protect the easily offended ears of the bystander…?
An Army National Guard Chaplain reports that while recruiting efforts have helped, a shortage still exists.
Over the past couple of years, there have been a few complaints that the military, government, and the VA have been evangelizing their members. These complaints have occasionally led to controversial responses, but the reaction rarely generates the headlines of the first complaint. In a fairly unusual turn of events, a former Chaplain for the Veterans’ Administration is claiming that those actions, far from encouraging “religious freedom,” are in fact discriminating against Christians.
Last year, the Fayetteville VA hospital “neutralized” its chapel by removing Christian symbols, which included covering the stained glass windows with blinds and sawing the crosses off the back of the chairs. The VA Chaplain, Archie Barringer, was asked to retire after he protested the actions. He now has the attention of his congressman, and the Rutherford Institute is investigating the possibility of suing the VA in response.
The Kansas City Star, which has increasingly become an outlet for press releases from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, noted that Weinstein’s MRFF has complained of a broadcast by the Trinity Broadcasting Network that contains military content. The 2-hour video, the “Red, White and Blue Spectacular” hosted by Christian music singer Carman, was filmed in 2003 and rebroadcast in 2005 as a military-focused independence celebration. The video is scheduled to be rebroadcast this year.
The primary complaint was an interview with then-Major General Van Antwerp, who was also then-President of the Officers’ Christian Fellowship. Carman was also given a tour of an Aegis cruiser and an interview with the uniformed Pentagon Chaplain.
Weinstein, who calls this a “repeat” of the “putrescent disgrace” of the Christian Embassy filming Read more
The Baptist Press covers a speech by the Army chief of Chaplains, Maj Gen Douglas Carver, to the Southern Baptist Convention in early June.
“Our soldiers carry a heavy, heavy load…and we get to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ unencumbered while in uniform.”
An interesting commentary by an agnostic Air Force sergeant on his recent deployment reveals that the relationship between Airmen and their Chaplain is about far more than religion–or the lack thereof.
As noted at the Christian Post, Operation Worship has teamed with a variety of groups to deliver “100,000 Bibles in 100 days” to military members and their families. The Bibles are purchased by individuals who write a personal note in it and then return it to be delivered to the military.
While there may be some hesitation about such distribution given the recent sensitivity over such matters, the organization says that the Bibles will be delivered to Chaplains who will distribute them as troops are being deployed. In addition, the organization says it launched the effort to ensure that they reached every soldier that wants a Bible.
According to FoxNews, the Army has decided to remove three crosses and a memorial plaque that honored a Chaplain who died while serving on Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. This was reportedly to comply with Army regulations that require chapels to have neutral appearances and not be named. From 13-3:
The chapel environment will be religiously neutral when the facility is not being used for scheduled worship. Chapels must be available to people of all faith groups for meditation and prayer when formal religious services are not scheduled.
[Religious] symbols are to be moved or covered when not in use. Distinctive religious symbols, such as crosses, crucifixes, the Star of David, menorah, and other religious symbols, will not be affixed or displayed permanently on the chapel exterior or grounds. Permanent or fixed chapel furnishings, such as the altar, pulpit, lectern, communion rail, prie-dieu, or reredos, will be devoid of distinctive religious symbols.
While some blogs have criticized the Army for the move, neutral symbology is fairly standard Read more