Amendment on chaplains prompts religious opposition

September 21, 2006

WASHINGTON (RNS) The National Association of Evangelicals and a separate coalition of other religious groups have opposed proposed language about chaplains that is part of a defense spending bill.

In two separate letters to House and Senate members, the groups have criticized language passed by the House in May that permits military chaplains to pray "according to the dictates of the chaplain's own conscience."

Some conservative Christian groups have supported the language; House and Senate members have been conferring on the bill since Sept. 7.

NAE President Ted Haggard wrote in a letter on Tuesday (Sept. 19) that the amendment is "unnecessary and likely counterproductive." The coalition, which included the Interfaith Alliance, Jewish organizations, mainline Protestants and Unitarians, earlier called it "unnecessary and unwise."

Both Haggard and the coalition spoke of the need for "inclusive" prayers in multifaith settings.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner, R-Va., on Tuesday said conferees are divided about appropriate language, and said the entire Congress should consider the issue early next year.

Warner said the Pentagon wants the provision dropped. It noted in a memo to Congress that "this provision could marginalize chaplains who, in exercising their conscience, generate discomfort at mandatory formations."

Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, differed with Warner and noted that Warner declared in his floor speech that he is active in the Episcopal Church.

"His obstructive actions would allow military chaplains to continue to be punished for making similar statements of faith in a public setting," Perkins said in his "Washington Update" e-newsletter.

Focus on the Family, in a recent "action alert," urged calls to senators to seek its adoption. Observers following the bill have predicted that a vote won't occur until at least next week (the last week of September).

-- Adelle M. Banks