Baptist Joint Committee, Other Religious Groups, Oppose Military Prayer Legislation
The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty has joined other religious organizations and the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces in opposing Section 590 of the Defense Authorization Act recently passed by the House. Titled "Military Chaplains," the section would effectively empower chaplains to pray sectarian prayers at public ceremonies even if military personnel of all faiths are required to attend.
A statement encouraging opposition to the 590 language in the bill's final version was signed by the Baptist Joint Committee and 14 other religious organizations. You can read the entire statement, including the list of signatories, in the extended entry below.
We, the undersigned religious and religiously affiliated organizations, urge you to oppose the inclusion of language from H.R. 5122 concerning military chaplains in the final version of the Defense Authorization Act.The bill passed by the House includes Section 590 titled “Military Chaplains.” The section provides chaplains the “prerogative to pray according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience, except as must be limited by military necessity, with any such limitation being imposed in the least restrictive manner feasible.”
We understand and support the important service that chaplains provide military personnel. Chaplains help ensure that service members continue to enjoy the ability to exercise their religion while fulfilling their military duties.
Section 590 is unnecessary and unwise and is opposed by the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces, which represents the vast majority of military chaplains. Under current law and regulations military chaplains are already permitted to pray in a manner fitting their individual religious tradition in the divine worship services they lead for armed forces members. On the occasion a prayer is called for in a large-group setting or “command ceremony” where attendance may not be voluntary however, chaplains should pray in a more inclusive manner. If a chaplain does not feel comfortable offering a non-sectarian, inclusive prayer in such a setting, he or she should have the right to refuse to participate without negative consequences.
The House language shows a lack of respect for the diversity of religious beliefs in our military. It is common courtesy to pray in as inclusive a manner as one’s faith tradition permits when praying during a multi-faith gathering, particularly when attendance is compulsory.
Following documented incidents of religious intolerance at the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Air Force drafted broad guidance on religious activities. The House-approved language on military chaplains is a clear attempt to undercut that guidance and should be rejected. On behalf of denominational and other religious organizations that support military chaplaincy and respect religious freedom, we request you oppose the deeply divisive and unnecessary language of Section 590.
Sincerely,
American Jewish Committee
Anti-Defamation League
Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Washington Office
Friends Committee on National Legislation
General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
National Council of Jewish Women
Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
The Interfaith Alliance (TIA)
Union for Reform Judaism
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations