Tag Archives: Prayer

The Honor of Military Ceremony and Tradition

Much has been made of the traditional aspects of US military formations and ceremonies, including whether or not prayer and the Chaplaincy–which has been part of military protocol since George Washington’s time–is appropriate.

While not directly addressing the controversy of religion, Maj Thomas Smicklas has written a fascinating and heartfelt commentary on the meaning of military ceremonies and their time-honored traditions: 

The Air Force has many different types of ceremonies that are unique customs of our military profession. Read more

Mother of Fallen Soldier at White House Iftar

President Barack Obama hosted an iftar at the White House Tuesday night, celebrating the end of Ramadan.  Among the guests were Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Navy Chaplain (Lt. Cmdr.) Abuhena Saifulislam, the second Islamic Chaplain in the US Navy, and Elsheba Khan, whose 20-year-old son, Army Spc. Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, was killed in Iraq on 6 August 2007.

Chaplain Saif, a Bangladeshi immigrant, was one of two Chaplains Read more

Religious Inclusiveness Highlighted in Memorial

A Christian and former fighter pilot sent in this message about an incident on Memorial Day 2009 that highlighted the inclusive environment of religion in the US military.  The US military goes to unimaginable lengths to ensure that its troops have the maximum access to their free exercise while attempting to adhere to government restrictions.

The military can, should, and does honor its members.  Part of that honor is the inclusion of religious expression when it does so.

I am a retired light-gray Eagle Driver, and before that Phantoms, and proud of it. I’m now working as a contractor [in] Afghanistan. [Just] before Memorial Day this year (2009) our Command lost two folks to an IED.

Both happened to be Jewish. Both happened to be very committed to living their faith. 

Read more

Commander Relies on Daily Prayer

President Obama recently noted the importance of prayer in his life, saying that he “prays all the time now.”  He made the statement in an interview for Nightline.

President Obama says he starts his day with a devotional that the director of his Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships initiative, Pentecostal pastor Joshua DuBois, sends to his BlackBerry each day.

The Commander in Chief also said “I’ve got a lot of stuff on my plate and I need guidance all the time.”  Like his military subordinates, Obama enjoys the liberties of free exercise guaranteed by the Constitution, as well as the freedom to let his exercise be known.

To date, there have been no significant complaints that Obama’s statements about religion or prayer have unduly influenced or discriminated against his subordinates.  (By contrast, some military officers were the subjects of complaints a few years ago for merely mentioning the biographical fact that they were Christians.)

MRFF Files Response against Motion to Dismiss

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation quietly filed its response to the US Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss the Chalker v Gates lawsuit.  The lawsuit challenges the practice of allowing prayer at mandatory military formations and ceremonies. It demands that Specialist Dustin Chalker, an atheist, and “those similarly situated” not be forced to attend ceremonies that include a “sectarian prayer.” In comparing the two filings, it seems as if the two groups of lawyers were sometimes speaking past each other.

The MRFF’s response brings up some interesting points, but also ignores some valid issues. It also significantly changes the concept of the original suit. Read more

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