Congressional Response to Military Chaplains Prayer & Supreme Court Nominee Update

By 

Jay Sekulow

|
June 25, 2011

2 min read

Religious Liberty

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On todays radio broadcast, we are going to focus on the congressional response to the issue of the chaplains in our military being denied the right to pray.  We have received an overwhelming response to our call to support Congressman Walter Joness request for an Executive Order from the White House to protect military chaplains.  We have also heard from chaplains who told us that they have been reprimanded if they ended a prayer in Jesuss name.  The free exercise of religion applies to military chaplains. 

 

As Congressman Jones stated, this is a First Amendment issue:  Our chaplains should not have any second thoughts about how they should pray.  Let their hearts speak with what God puts in their minds to pray.  So far, there are 35 House members who have agreed to sign a letter to President Bush asking for an Executive Order protecting the constitutional right of military chaplains to pray according to their faith.  U.S. Senator James Inhofe, Republican from Oklahoma, has also pledged his support for the measure.

 

Part of the issue surrounds the proposed guidelines being introduced by the Air Force that emphasize nondenominational prayers in military ceremonies.  I have instructed our senior staff to prepare a comprehensive memorandum of law on this point that will be circulated to the military and to members of Congress.  ACLJ Senior Counsel Skip Ash, who has 20 years of experience in the military, including time at the Pentagon, is leading this effort.

 

We are working hard to protect the rights of chaplains to fulfill their mission of providing spiritual comfort and aid to those serving to protect America.  This is one of the most significant projects weve undertaken.  Your support for this effort is critical.  Click here to add your name to a letter going to the White House urging support for Congressman Joness efforts to restore First Amendment freedoms to military chaplains.

 

The President is also working on the next Supreme Court nominee.  I am confident that he will nominate a judicial conservative with a known track record, someone who will uphold the Constitution and not legislate from the bench.  We expect an announcement on the selection in the next few days and will keep everyone posted.