WP: House Injects Prayer Into Defense Bill

Friday, May 12, 2006; A05

The House passed a $513 billion defense authorization bill yesterday that includes language intended to allow chaplains to pray in the name of Jesus at public military ceremonies, undercutting new Air Force and Navy guidelines on religion.

(snip)

Before the bill reached the House floor, Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee added the provision on military chaplains. It says each chaplain "shall have the prerogative to pray according to the dictates of the chaplain's own conscience, except as must be limited by military necessity, with any such limitation being imposed in the least restrictive manner feasible."

Air Force and Navy rules issued in recent months allow chaplains to pray as they wish in voluntary worship services. But the rules call for nonsectarian prayers, or a moment of silence, at public meetings or ceremonies, especially when attendance is mandatory for service members of all faiths.

Focus on the Family, the Christian Coalition and other evangelical Christian groups have lobbied vigorously against the Air Force and Navy rules, urging President Bush to issue an executive order guaranteeing the right of chaplains to pray in the name of Jesus under any circumstances. Because the White House has not acted, sympathetic members of Congress stepped in.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/11/AR2006051102009.html

Ya never see Notre Dame winning National Championships every year do ya??

religious purposes?

We already have Senior Enlisted Advisers, and Social Workers, Psychiatric Social Workers, and Mental Health Professionals in the Medical Service Corps (I am thinking here about PTSS and "kids away from home for the first time" - as macho as they are - they are still kids).

Let the chaplains come along as a civilian service organization, but not as a commissioned corps.

Is it any wonder our entire nation doesn't need some form of shock therapy. It's daily, and endless - the rhetoric and BS!

In the meantime, nada for katrina survivors. :cry:

I guess they need more chaplins. I cannot get mad about this kinda thing if it brings peace to anyone who has lost a family member to Bush War II.

These are last gasps of dying dinosaurs. FOTF had a large layoff recently because people are not coming 'round to buy Dobson's brand of insanity any more. They can add it, but I dont' believe it will pass constitutional muster, even in this uber reich-wing court. I really think the people are starting to get it that the extreme right is working against the best interests of this country. Now if only the extreme right could catch on to that fact, they'd temper their actions. As it is, this will be just another nail in thier coffin if it passes.

Posting mere words couldn't describe the insanity.

Holy bullets and only intended to kill unbelievers. So its okay. Really, Stop worrying. Its okay.

What's the diff

Other than the fact that this was sponsored by Focus on the Family and other fundies, I honestly don't see the problem. And I'm an outspoken advocate for the separation of church and state.

I mean, a Chaplain should be allowed to pray to whichever God they choose without government intrusion. I don't think that the government should be dictating who a person can or cannot pray to. Even if our government is supposed to be neutral in terms of religion.
Ringo

They are adopting a code of conduct for the Chaplain Corps., and that protocol wisely deters chaplains from using offical functions to prostelytize. These are MILITARY PERSONNEL, and the privilleges of their office are defined by their commanders.

If the Christian Right were to start using the Chaplain Corps. to evangelize and protelytize at state functions, it would be disastrous for the US's reputation as an impartial, pluralist society. It would also be illegal.

From a military standpoint, it could also be disruptive and demoralizing (for sercicemen who are not X-tian). The chaplains can preach and counsel in the name of (insert Deity here) in their offices or chapels, or in privately-arranged services. I'm with the Air Force on this one.

Military Association of Atheists and Free Thinkers?

http://maaf.info/

Thanks for your post.

From their site, it looks like they get it.

Do you honestly believe that it's fair for Jews, Muslims, and other faiths, should have to listen to Govt paid for prayers to Jesus at military events??? I don't. That creates an official religion. I'm just unbelievably tired of christians trying to force their beliefs down my throat at every turn. Focus on the Family... shoulda known they'd be behind this. Do those assholes do ANYTHING helpful? Or just sell lots of books and tapes?

think the one who said "Blessed are the Peacemakers" would want to have his words peverted by the military.

this is an end run around the constitution that should fail.

.....Because the White House has not acted, sympathetic members of Congress stepped in.

"Lettuce-Prey"

because of the variety of faiths practiced by military personnel.

IMO chaplains do an excellent job.

'Cause the Military Atheists were so relieved by the new Air Force regulations:

http://maaf.info/



Yet another abuse of power.

all in the name of jay-sus.


"But the rules call for nonsectarian prayers, or a moment of silence, at public meetings or ceremonies, especially when attendance is mandatory for service members of all faiths."


When you're in the military, you follow the rules. End of story.

into a cartoon?