Navy Relents on Inclusive Prayer Policy

The Navy has restored to its chaplains the ability pray in the manner suitable to their faith.

Lt. Gordon James Klingenschmitt had said he would not eat until President Bush signed an executive order allowing chaplains to pray in public according to their individual faith traditions. Later, he said if the Navy would allow him to wear his uniform in public and pray in Jesus' name he would end his fast. Klingenschmitt told WND this evening he has received a letter from his commanding officer giving him permission to do so.

A previous letter from his commanding officer at Naval Station Norfolk said the chaplain could not wear his uniform for media appearances, which is standard Navy policy when a service member is expressing his own opinion. Klingenschmitt believed that letter was meant to prevent him from praying publicly in Jesus' name while wearing his uniform.

A 1998 Navy advisory to chaplains suggested that military clergy pray in an "inclusive" manner at "command settings" – secular events or ceremonies. It is that policy that Klingenschmitt objects to, pointing out that 74 members of Congress have asked President Bush to guarantee chaplains the right to pray as they wish.

Although the inclusive policy seems reasonable, it requires the chaplain to compromise his dedication to the deity whom he serves. When a theology teaches to pray the name of the deity it represents then doing otherwise is sacrilege. What has obtained by such a policy can be characterized as inclusive by exclusion. The result of the policy of inclusion being the exclusion of some religious expression. Let's hope this is the last we will see of this in the Armed Forces of the United States.

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