Free Republic

A former Navy chaplain who made headlines for being court martialed for praying in Jesus’ name has been elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives. Former Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, nicknamed “Chaps,” won the seat Tuesday in Colorado House District 15 with more than 70 percent of the vote. His work will begin in January.

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Dozens of Christian churches ranging from Catholic to Pentecostal in theology are rallying this weekend in Leesburg, My Stand" on the back. The two-mile event Klingenschmitt noted that there are court cases already going on in several locations over the use by a Christian chaplain of the use of the words, "in Jesus' name." "Now the American people are rising to defend chaplains who pray in Jesus name. The public outcry against the hospital was so great the CEO already had to resign," he said. Hospital officials also just announced the departure of president Louis Bremer, but said it was...

Congressional panel directs Navy to rescind policy barring 'sectarian' prayers A Navy chaplain court-martialed for wearing his uniform during a public event in which he prayed in Jesus' name is declaring victory after a congressional conference committee agreed on a compromise rescinding a Navy policy that barred "sectarian" prayers. "This is a tremendous victory for religious liberty," said Lt. Gordon James Klingenschmitt in an interview with WND. "Chaplains are free again to pray in Jesus name." The conferees, working out differences between House and Senate versions of the Defense Appropriation Act, are directing the secretary of the Navy to rescind...

NORFOLK, Va. - A jury recommended Thursday that a Navy chaplain receive a letter of reprimand for disobeying an order by appearing in uniform at a political news conference at the White House. The jury also recommended that Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt forfeit $250 pay per month for a year but suggested that the monetary punishment be suspended. Rear Adm. Frederic Ruhe, commander of the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Region, must decide whether to approve the recommendation. The jury of five officers at Klingenschmitt's special court-martial determined Wednesday that he had disobeyed a superior officer's order prohibiting him from wearing his uniform during...

A military jury today convicted a Navy chaplain of a misdemeanor count of disobeying his commanding officer for wearing his uniform while delivering a prayer "in Jesus' name" at an assembly in front of the White House. "But I had prior written permission to wear my uniform if it was a religious observance, (so) prayers are not a religious observance," Lt. Gordon James Klingenschmitt told WND after the military court-martial recessed for the night. "Therefore I disobeyed my commanding officer's order not to pray in uniform," he said. Klingenschmitt, who raised immediate concerns with this superiors when the Navy issued...

NORFOLK, Va. - A Navy chaplain charged with disobeying orders by wearing his uniform at a White House protest pleaded not guilty at his court-martial Tuesday. Lt. Gordon J. Klingenschmitt contends he is being punished for praying in Jesus' name at a March 30 news conference to protest a Navy policy requiring nondenominational prayers outside of religious services. A superior officer had ordered Klingenschmitt not to wear his uniform during media appearances without first receiving permission but said he could be in uniform if conducting a "bona fide worship service." "Of course it was his duty to obey the order,"...

A Navy review has concluded that a complaint from a ship chaplain was "without merit" when he charged that his commanding officer harassed him by discouraging the use of certain Bible quotations. But Navy Lt. Gordon J. Klingenschmitt said the report actually backs up his complaint, even though the chief investigator sided with the commander. Lt. Klingenschmitt has waged a national campaign to fight military restrictions on what chaplains preach. He also has turned to Congress, which is debating legislation to ensure religious freedom for chaplains. Lt. Klingenschmitt's complaint stems from a memorial sermon he delivered for a deceased petty...

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...

WASHINGTON — The Navy chaplain who had pledged a hunger strike until rules were changed to allow him “to pray publicly in Jesus’ name” broke his 18-day fast Saturday, calling his protest a victory for religious liberty. Navy officials said they made no policy changes since the start of his fast, and disputed charges that he would have been dismissed if not for his public protest. But Navy Chaplain (Lt.) Gordon Klingenschmitt said he was on the verge of losing his commission before he began the hunger strike and said he believes the Navy changed its policy to keep him...

Naval Chaplain Klingenschmitt will end his hunger strike with a communion service in front of the White House on Saturday, January 7th. Below is the official Press Release: The Navy Chaplain staging a hunger strike outside the White House will end his fast this morning, after accepting religious accommodations from his reluctant superior officers. "They're finally giving me back my uniform, and letting me pray publicly in Jesus name," said Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt. The Chaplain will participate in a bona fide public worship service in front of the White House at 11 am Saturday January 7th, wearing his Navy...

WASHINGTON — A Navy chaplain who says his Christian prayers are being censored by senior officers began a hunger strike outside the White House on Tuesday, petitioning the president to “let me pray.” Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt said he will eat nothing, drink only water, and hold nightly prayer vigils outside the White House until he gets a response. “I wonder if the president is really endorsing this behavior,” he said. “I’m facing being kicked out because I pray in Jesus’ name.” Klingenschmitt said he fell out of favor with Navy officials for refusing to drop “Jesus” and other Christian-specific language...

To pray -- or not to pray -- in Jesus' name is the question plaguing an increasing number of U.S. military chaplains, one of whom began a multiday hunger strike outside the White House yesterday. "I am a Navy chaplain being fired because I pray in Jesus' name," said Navy Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt, who will be holding 6 p.m. prayer vigils daily in Lafayette Park. The hunger strike is intended to persuade President Bush to issue an executive order allowing military chaplains to pray according to their individual faith traditions. The American Center for Law and Justice has gathered 173,000...

Navy Probes Religious Discrimination Associated Press May 2, 2005 WASHINGTON - The Navy is investigating a chaplain's allegations he was punished for theological disagreements with superior officers, including his objections to requiring sailors to participate in services at a church that accepts homosexuality. Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt says he was transferred ashore and given a negative job recommendation because of the religious disagreements. Other actions cited in Klingenschmitt's personnel records include his advocacy for a Jewish sailor who wanted kosher meals and his preaching of sermons that some sailors viewed as proselytizing and intolerant. "I'm shocked that senior chaplains would force...