Is anyone else -- of any or no religion -- angered by this?

Question

"A U.S. Navy chaplain who prayed "in Jesus' name" as his conscience dictated is being ejected from the military service "in retaliation" for his victorious battle to change Navy policy that required religious rites be "non-sectarian."

"This fight cost me everything. My career is over, my family is now homeless, we've lost a million dollar pension, but Congress agreed with me and rescinded the Navy policy, so chaplains are free again to pray in Jesus' name," Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt told WND. "My sacrifice purchased their freedom. My conscience is clear, the fight was worth it, and I'd do it all again.""

What happened to the right to free speach in this Country? What happened to freedom of religion?

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53731

What's next -- the military telling chaplains, rabbis or Imams they cannot pray in the name of God, just in case someone is insulted?

Ghost Wolf, this happened during a PRIVATE worship service, not in a public place. What is your opinion, given this fact? Do you think people of faith should be censored even when there are no unbelievers present?!?!

Gazoo, I respect your opinion, but as I wrote to Ghost Wolf, this occured during a private religious service. There was no proselytizing going on.

Old School, military chaplains do not "establish or support" any religion, so it's not against the First Amendment -- which by the way protects freedom of religion and speach. Secondly, a million dollar pension is nothing nowadays. Most of us will have it, too. If a person lives only 23 years beyond retirement, this only equates to little more than $43k per year. What's wrong or extravagant about that??

Answer 1

I agree. I'm a muslim woman, and this just angers me to the core. Who are other people to think they have an entitlement to tell somebody else what to believe and how to pray? Why don't they just get a clue that they don't control people. They may be able to control them physically, but not spiritually or mentally. I was also angry that instead of "Merry Christmas" on TV, it was "Happy Holidays". I believe people should have freedom of religion. If somebody doesn't like another voicing how they feel, they should move to someplace like China where all are forced to follow one thing and not allowed to say much. It's AMERICA, people!!! My ancestors fought for our freedoms, and I know many of your's have. Don't give it up and don't take it from others. That would be an insult to them.

Answer 2

The whole point of religion is to pray to God. The military Chaplin's office is to provide religious assistance to the troops. The use of a particular religious phrase should not be a reason for court martial by military chaplains.

This country has gone from the "majority rules" to the "minority rules". If one person doesn't like something, the majority must bow to that person. This is wrong. I do not know how this can be fixed, but if you have any ideas, there are a bunch of people who are tired of it.

Answer 3

I'm for the protection of all of the freedoms we are entitled to under our constitution and statutes and I'm glad the Congress rescinded the Navy's policy on chaplains not being able to pray in accordance to their particular faith and had to conduct strictly non- sectarian services.

However, as citizens we should and must realize that the military
operates under certain conditions that are not always possible for its member to practice those freedoms exactly as they would in civilian life. For example: it's entirely natural and expected that spouses share a bed or a bedroom in our normal, civilian life. However, if they're in the same military unit deployed together somewhere, that will not be allowed unless they go off base, while on forlough.

Our Muslim servicemen and women cannot always, while on a mission, turn to Mecca to pray five times a day and our Jewish members cannot refuse to go on a mission or take on guard duties on their Sabbath or during Yom Kippur.

Our military services cannot always provide chaplains of all faiths to every unit, vessel and installations. Therefore, chaplains are often requested to conduct non-sectarian services to benefit all of our men and women in a particular unit who may be of many faiths. We must keep an open mind and ask this question: Which way serves our troops better under the circumstances?"

Let's just say you're a Christian and served on a submarine that was allowed to have one chaplain who, in this case, happened to be a Jewish rabbi. During the many months you were at sea, would you have preferred that he conduct the services in a non-sectarian manner or strictly in accordance to his Jewish faith?
What happened if he were an Imman?

Answer 4

To be fair, are names really that important? Is it necessary to personally address an aspect of an omniscient deity that knows your every thought and prayer before it's even been spoken?

I agree it does sound like heavy-handed rulemaking in the first place, but equally don't see why it was so important to change the rule.

To answer the question - You're not being shot, tortured, fined, or imprisoned for speaking your mind or holding a belief, so I'm pretty sure you still have freedom of speech and religion.

Answer 5

I actually have felt offended at faith yet not because i assumed there became no God, and that i felt the international became loopy to be counted on a unmarried. i'd haven't any correct to say that, basically as non secular human beings haven't any correct to rigidity you to be counted on God in case you do not opt for to. i ask your self why you hit upon the perception of folk operating in the route of religion/believing in God so major to waste time getting offended over? You stated those who rigidity their youthful ones to maintain on with a faith and how that makes you offended. would you be both offended if Atheists forbade their little ones to coach faith if the little ones needed to? I completely agree that no man or woman might want to ever allow you to recognize you'll Hell in case you do not believe an same as them. yet, that's human beings, imperfect human beings doing that. I happen to be Catholic and that i hate at the same time as my fellow Catholics strive against and tell one yet another that they are doing it correct. yet, which couldn't each and every Catholic. I also hate at the same time as Atheists continuously placed down Christians or come on web content like this and act all more desirable. i imagine why i can not i be counted on God if i elect? the final analysis is Why can not all of us basically get alongside? i'd enable the anger bypass and basically attempt to seem for the forged in genuinely each and every man or woman no be counted of what faith or none.

Answer 6

There should be no chaplains in the military. Separation of church and state. Million dollar pension? Bullshit. I do not want to support religion with my tax dollars.

Edit - Actually the US government does indeed support religion when a chaplain or priest or rabbi is on the payroll. Where did you get your info? The senate has a chaplain on payroll at over 100,000 a year. For what? Cut them all off.

Answer 7

Mate I was treated well by the Australian Navy, but I know beurocracies can realy srew things up.

My prayers go out for you.

How would the military go if they never had you blokes, it is comming to that.

raise the bar and keep it high.

Answer 8

When a Christian prays it is to God, the Father, in Jesus' name. To disallow someone to pray in His name is to stop him from praying to God. Where is religious freedom if this happens in USA?

Answer 9

Well, it isn't about freedom of speech. Chaplains are hired to do a job in the military and that job covers a big group with all faiths. If you don't do your job, you get fired.

This doesn't cover personal time, so he was free to pray all he wanted then. It is just that he wasn't free to use his position to try to convert people who don't want converted.

Answer 10

I am a USA Citizen, This nation as all the other nations, Is leaving God out of the whole picture, one day God will leave them out of the picture, I am proud to be a USA citizen, But I am not proud how many politicans has gone from God.