Posted on 01/06/2006 8:59:41 PM PST by xzins
(AgapePress) - An Evangelical leader and retired military chaplain says the United States Air Force is engaged in religious persecution against evangelical Christianity with its new policy forbidding chaplains from praying in the name of Jesus.
Dr. Billy Baugham is Executive Director of the International Conference of Evangelical Chaplain Endorsers (ICECE). The retired Army chaplain agrees with the more than 70 members of Congress who have signed a letter urging President George W. Bush to issue an executive order to allow chaplains to pray according to their individual faith traditions.
Baugham feels the Air Force's written policy banning prayers in Jesus' name is a direct attack on a specific faith community. Those behind this policy "have targeted the Evangelicals in this to marginalize them," he asserts, "and if they're not marginalized, if they don't carry out these guidelines, they will be punished according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice."
The former U.S. military chaplain insists that what the military authorities are doing to the chaplains is wrong. "It's religious persecution from the very organization, the United States Air Force, that you would expect to protect American freedoms," he says.
The American Center for Law and Justice has gathered more than 173,000 signatures on a petition asking the President to correct this injustice by signing an executive order protecting the religious freedom of chaplains in the Air Force and other branches. However, Baugham believes Mr. Bush has hesitated to do so because he does not want to embarrass U.S. military officials.
"It would be egg on the face of the Air Force," the ICECE spokesman remarks, "and they ought to have egg on their face for what they've done. For the Commander in Chief to slap down the United States Air Force with an executive order is quite a thing. But he has that authority to do it, and we think he ought to do it."
The U.S. Air Force is discriminating against the Evangelical ministers in its ranks, Baugham maintains. And if the military branch continues trampling the constitutional rights of its Christian chaplains, he insists, it is only right that the executive branch should step in and put a stop to it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chad Groening, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
Why would anyone try to force a pastor to violate the prayer requirements for that pastor's religious denomination?
"Why would anyone try to force a pastor to violate the prayer requirements for that pastor's religious denomination?"
You're "connected", Padre. What do your sources say is going on?
Was it the office of the Air Force Secretary, or the office of the Secretary of Defense?
What was the date the original order was issued?
Let's see who these nebulous "military authorities" are that issued the original order.
Leni
Yes, it would be interesting to know who wants to take responsibility for this order.
The guys out at the AF academy...shot themselves in the foot...by their behaivor over a ten-year period. They lightly treaded over individuals who weren't into religion or mainstream fundamentalist types. The academy allowed this behavior to move out across the campus...and as graduates went out into the AF...it started to become a noticeable thing. After some outside review...AF leadership finally realized that they had allowed things to get out of control, and established tight guidelines to "fix" the problem.
These chaplains may want the president to override the AF...but this could easily become a court case...and I don't think GW cares to invite more issues onto his plate at this time.
It came to public attention out of the Air Force Academny "issue" involving their football team....which was said to be "too evangelical." However, it has an older history within the entire military -- Army, Navy, Air Force, & Marines.
A chaplain can be directed to participate in programs that are designated either ceremonies or services. A ceremony is an official function to which commanders can require attendance by all soldiers. A service is a religious event that is voluntary.
Many commanders became uncomfortable with a mixed audience when evangelical chaplains (or other Christian Chaplains) referred to Jesus in their prayers or "prayed in Jesus' name." They, and some higher ranking chaplains, began to insist that prayers be "neutral." After the "evangelical" problem at the Air Force Academy became public, the Air Force adopted a REQUIREMENT that no Christian Chaplain be allowed to refer to the Christ in an official ceremony.
In short, it is absurd to require a pastor to participate in a ceremony and then tell him he is not permitted to pray according to his faith tradition.
It's not like folks are surprised that a Christian uses Christian thought patterns.
It is surprising to me that they don't just eliminate the requirement for prayers at official ceremonies. If you don't eliminate the requirement, then get over the desire to create your own little neutral religion.
(Incidentally, Muslims and Jews are permitted to say Muslim and Jewish things.)
ping to #7
A navy chaplain was on Sean Hannity today. He is on a hunger strike until he is allowed to pray in Jesus' name while performing his public function. He said the "rule" came in 1998 (note time frame) from a policy memo from a navy officer. He claims the "White House" said they haven't heard a public outcry over the issue. He cited the 173,000 messages and the support of 70 congressmen.
Here's more, from a Google search:
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20051221-121224-6972r.htm
Why does a Christian pastor seem to assume there is something magical about saying, "In Jesus' Name"?
You can pray in Jesus name without saying so, or say so without actually doing so.
To truly pray in Jesus' Name means to pray on His behalf - to pray about things that advance the cause of Jesus Christ. Mouthing 3 words at the end of a prayer is meaningless.
Hooah
I forgot about this one. If true, it will be a major reason why I'll join the Navy Reserve instead of the ANG or AF Reserve in the next year. ( I served 4 and ahalf in active duty AF already) I always thought the AF was kind of PC.
This chaplin needs to understand that suicide is a sin. And if he does not intend to go that far then he has lied, another sin.
"(Incidentally, Muslims and Jews are permitted to say Muslim and Jewish things.)"
Why does this not surprise me?
Thanks for the G2, Padre.
MR,
It doesn't matter what your or my beliefs on the subject are: what matters is that it is THEIR RELIGION. It truly is. We cannot ask Pastors from all denominations to join the military as chaplains to reflect America, and then tell them they are not allowed to be themselves.
How is this different than going in churches on Sunday morning and telling those pastors what their beliefs should be?
2 points:
1 - Most of those complaining are Baptists, as am I.
2 - It differs SIGNIFICANTLY from going into churches and telling pastors what to preach. The USAF has mandatory formations where hundreds or thousands of men are assembled against their will (change of command, etc) and required to listen. Prayers offered are drivel that should be eliminated entirely. If one is offered, then the USAF is saying it should be bland to avoid offending the many folks who would have strong disagreements with a genuinely religious prayer.
Chaplains can still preach & teach & evangelize in the chapels. They just cannot do it at mandatory formations.
I heard that chaplain - what a nut case. He believes he has the religious freedom to proclaim Jesus at mandatory formations (a captive audience assembled under the threat of fines/prison).
Why should I, a Baptist, be expected to listen to a Muslim proclaiming the greatness of Allah at a mandatory formation?
The real answer would be to ban prayers at mandatory formations!
Utter nonsense. Where do you come up with this stuff???
Be specific - what have I written that is utter nonsense?
Every word of your last 'reply'.........utter, complete nonsense.
....and I'm an AF Academy grad / former AF pilot, so I know nonsense about the AF when I see it.
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