Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Navy Chaplain May Face Court-Martial For Praying
KNBC, Los Angelas ^ | 4:39 am PDT May 4, 2006 | Associated Press

Posted on 05/04/2006 9:14:42 AM PDT by DesScorp

NORFOLK, Va. -- A chaplain stationed at Naval Station Norfolk said he could face court-martial for praying in uniform outside the White House.

Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt said he prayed at a March 30 protest opposing Department of Defense rules forbidding military chaplains from invoking the name of Jesus Christ.

He's accused of violating an order not to appear in uniform at news conferences in support of personal or religious issues.

The issue seems to hinge on whether his praying at the event was permissible participation at a bona fide religious service. Klingenschmitt is rejecting non-judicial punishment in favor of trial by court-martial.

In addition, he's filing a complaint against the Navy claiming the threat of punishment against him amounts to religious harassment and he's appealing to the White House to end what he claims are the military's attempts to take reprisals against a whistle-blower.

(Excerpt) Read more at nbc4.tv ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: chaplain; christians; courtmartial; klingenschmitt; norfolk; prayer; usn
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-92 next last
To: DesScorp

The military has always relied upon the brave few who choose to "fall upon their swords". The US Army had Billy Mitchell and now The US Navy has this chaplain.

Good on him!


41 posted on 05/04/2006 10:21:10 AM PDT by SJSAMPLE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kimosabe31
"The Bush DOD has failed to clean out the clintonista's in this area as well as most other critical areas of government."

The military isn't a political entity. You don't "clean out" the ranks when the political party that holds the presidency changes. As a vet it irks me when I hear folks complain about this general being a Clinton appointee. Do you realize that it takes decades to grow a general? You just can't pick and choose one out of the blue. They have to come up through the ranks. I came in under Reagan and retired under Bush II. Military professionals don't serve one administration then get out until another one of their liking comes on board. The military serves the country not political parties.

42 posted on 05/04/2006 10:22:00 AM PDT by blaquebyrd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: DesScorp
It is a very sad day, a very dishonorable day, a day that makes me ashamed that my military is doing this, when the United States military will court martial a chaplain for praying. If that is going to be the damned rule, why the hell do they even allow the military to have chaplains.

I can never forget those old WWII war footages where military chaplains are praying with soldiers/marines about to go into combat, with the men on the knees, heads bowed.

This sickens me to the core.

43 posted on 05/04/2006 10:22:11 AM PDT by RetiredArmy (Politicians and the U.S. Government are liars, cheats and thieves, in it for their own gain.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HamiltonJay
You can't do this if you are active duty and in uniform, period...

Amazing how this is too complicated for so many people here.

44 posted on 05/04/2006 10:22:53 AM PDT by expat_panama
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: DesScorp

I served in the 60's and even then the military did not allow one to protest in uniform.


45 posted on 05/04/2006 10:23:37 AM PDT by jec41 (Screaming Eagle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cryptical

A slave who serves many masters betrays them all.


46 posted on 05/04/2006 10:26:16 AM PDT by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Nabber

I think it's inappropriate to hound enlisted soldiers who don't share your particular brand of faith, yes. Chaplains serve their own communities of faith within the services. It's not appropriate to go lower morale among others by telling them they're wrong and need to get right with you. That's not what they signed up for.


47 posted on 05/04/2006 10:26:36 AM PDT by HostileTerritory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: DesScorp

If you think the PC crowd has gotten out of hand, wait until President Hildebeast takes office!


48 posted on 05/04/2006 10:26:52 AM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (Former SAC Trained Killer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RetiredArmy
This sickens me to the core.

Please read the thread, not just the headline. The headline is crafted to draw people's sympathy while misleading you about the real issue.
49 posted on 05/04/2006 10:27:25 AM PDT by HostileTerritory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: PrepareToLeave
These know-it-all big shots in the DOD should get out the Old Testament.

Which version?
50 posted on 05/04/2006 10:28:23 AM PDT by HostileTerritory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: jec41

Yep...and it is still forbidden, but this guy can't seem to get it.

He can still perform denominational services for those who WISH to attend them. When performing an invocation at a ceremony which hundreds of people from different faiths attend, the rules are to keep it nondenominational.

This guy has even protested in uniform outside the Whitehouse! Time for him to go bye-bye from the Navy.


51 posted on 05/04/2006 10:39:21 AM PDT by Wristpin ("The Yankees announce plan to buy every player in Baseball....")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: HostileTerritory
When we start giving chaplains orders not to pray, when do they tell you and me we cannot? This is getting insane when these people tell us that we should reject Jesus Christ, when the MSM can damn anyone with Christian beliefs, yet smother the Islamic fanatics with love and affection. They RECOGNIZE Islam as a religion of peace, yet damn Christianity??? Give me a break. I don't care what the headlines and the story differ. The fact remains, IF THE MILITARY IS GOING TO HAVE CHAPLAINS, ANY CHAPLAIN, then that chaplain has an absolute right to practice his religion regardless of the type of faith. Giving orders to Chaplains that they cannot pray here or there is stupid. I have known Chaplains in the military who did not believe in war. Just because they were in the military did not mean they HAD to support war. They were there to minister to the troops and their families. Just as ministers travel to very bad parts of the world to try to minister to other types of peoples. These individuals chose the military. If we are going to have them, then leave them the hell alone to practice their religion.
52 posted on 05/04/2006 10:49:30 AM PDT by RetiredArmy (Politicians and the U.S. Government are liars, cheats and thieves, in it for their own gain.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: trashcanbred

I agree with your post; however, you also have to consider what is the majority? If (just for sake of argument), 99% of the military is Southern Baptist...it would make sense to pray in Jesus' Name. However, if only 51% is Southern Baptist and the rest are Jews, Muslims, and Catholics...then you have to make it a prayer of mush which means nothing...so why even have it.

My point is that I think the prayer at the beginning of banquets and other things are stupid because they mean nothing. Why not save the money by not paying to have a chaplain and just take a moment of silence to pray in your own way?


53 posted on 05/04/2006 10:50:37 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: BeHoldAPaleHorse
Generally, military personnel are not to bring their troubles to the press in uniform.

Kinda like the arm-chair generals lately huh? They may not have actually been in uniform, but everyone was calling them "GENERAL" so and so, and everyone KNEW they were military and GENERALS.

54 posted on 05/04/2006 10:51:30 AM PDT by RetiredArmy (Politicians and the U.S. Government are liars, cheats and thieves, in it for their own gain.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: HostileTerritory

Your sarcasm doesn't warrant response. You want to antagonize me? Sorry, can't be done.


55 posted on 05/04/2006 10:52:05 AM PDT by PrepareToLeave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: PrepareToLeave

I'm not being sarcastic. I'm illustrating precisely the type of dispute this sensible policy is intended to prevent.


56 posted on 05/04/2006 10:54:04 AM PDT by HostileTerritory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Admin Moderator
"Please do not change headlines."

I didn't do it...it had to be one of the editors. I'm not real happy about it either. I think my headline summed things up well.
57 posted on 05/04/2006 10:57:48 AM PDT by DesScorp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: blaquebyrd
As a vet it irks me when I hear folks complain about this general being a Clinton appointee.

So Wesley Clarke became supreme NATO commander on his own merits?

58 posted on 05/04/2006 11:04:49 AM PDT by kimosabe31
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: HostileTerritory

The increasingly large number of idiots and zealots on this blog is amazing, and JIM Bob must be sleeping more. It used to be that the complainers would learn the truth before showing themselves to be such ASSumes.
First, this guy was in uniform at a political/activist activity, which has been against military regulations since 1953 in my personal knowledge.
Second,all Chaplains are trained and educated in all the various religions they may encounter while on duty, and are charged with performing proper rites according to the circumstance for which they are in attendance. For example, on a battle field, it is encumbent on the Chaplain to inquire as to a dead or dying military man's religion and performing appropriate rites for that religion. Similar responsibilities are required during religious ceremonies and events when the Chaplain is in uniform, or performing in a duty status.
Third, this man is not truthful in his complaints, and is instead seeking notoriety to further a zealot's agenda through the "Press". (Too many references in TV, radio, new organizations, etc. available for you to do your own research...might surprise you what you can find and verify).


59 posted on 05/04/2006 11:08:43 AM PDT by uremus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: blaquebyrd
The military serves the country not political parties.

While the military may rationalize that it's serving the country rather than a particular political party, it serves the policies of the party in power. The country did not elect clinton to go to war in the Balkans and bomb Serbia. However the military carried out those policies.

60 posted on 05/04/2006 11:12:02 AM PDT by kimosabe31
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-92 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson