September 12, 2006

Chaplain Court Martial

Janet Folger is the president and founder of Faith 2 Action and host of the VCY America radio program of the same name.

Janet appeared live on Crosstalk from Norfolk, Virginia, reporting on the court martial trial of Navy chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt. The Navy has begun court martial proceedings because Chaplain Klingenschmitt prayed in the name of Jesus while in uniform outside of a chapel setting.

Chaplain Klingenschmitt has also come under scrutiny for presenting the gospel and the name of Jesus at an optionally attended memorial service.

As of broadcast time the prosecution was being lined up and the jury had been selected. Folger noted that a decision in the case could come yet this week.

Action Points

With the current court martial of Navy Chaplain Lt. Gordon James Klingenschmitt over his prayer in Jesus' name while in uniform in public in front of the White House, you can show your concern about the military's increasing restrictions on the activities of chaplains, including dictating what and where they can pray or preach, and especially prohibiting praying in Jesus' Name in accordance with their faith tradition.

A conference committee is working on the final version of the Defense Appropriations bill. Section 590 in the house version, HR 5122 specifically authorizes chaplains to pray in accordance with their conscience and the practices of their faith, and of their religious superiors. The Senate version has no such provision. The conference committee will decide which version will go to the President for his signature.

To contact the U.S. Senators involved in the conference committee:

Senator Lindsey Graham
202-224-5972 (Washington office)

Senator Lindsey Graham's South Carolina contact numbers:
864-250-1417 (Greenville office)
803-933-0112 (Midlands regional office)
843-669-1505 (Florence office)
843-849-3887 (Mount Pleasant office)
803-366-2828 (Rock Hill office)

Senator John Warner (Committee Chairman)
202-224-2023
757-441-3079

Senator Carl Levin
202-224-6221
313-226-6020

Capitol Switchboard (to reach the office of any Senator or Representative on Capitol Hill):
888-355-3588

The President, as Commander in Chief, can also issue an executive order to override the rulings of the Secretary of the Navy restricting prayers in Jesus' name to the chapel setting, and then only during a regular Sunday worship service., and can restore the rights of Chaplains to those which were in effect for over 200 years, and officially in writing since the Civil War.

To reach the President with your comments:

White House Switchboard
202-456-1111
202-456-1414