Foundation for Moral Law and Other Christian Groups Speak Out Against New Restrictions on Navy Chaplains' Prayers

In response to the unprecedented new Navy prayer policy which forbids public prayers in the name of Jesus, former Alabama Chief Justice, Roy Moore, Chairman of the Foundation for Moral Law, held a news conference in front of the Whitehouse on Thursday, March 30, 2006 .

Included in the news conference were Rev. Patrick Mahoney of the National Clergy Council, Rev. Rob Schenck of Faith and Action and Dr. Rick Scarborough of Vision America who will joined Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt in urging President Bush to stand by his commitment to issue an executive order protecting military chaplain's First amendment right to pray according to the dictates of their faith, which includes praying in the name of Jesus.

The news conference was well attended and was reported by a variety of news sources. Chaplain Klingenschmitt opened the event in prayer and read from the Book of Common Prayer and the Holy Bible, while wearing his Navy uniform—which is forbidden under the new Navy policy. It is unknown at this time how the Navy will react to the courageous actions of Chaplain Klingenschmitt. (Click here to read the Birmingham News article of the Washington , D.C. trip.)

A visit to Capitol Hill followed with Chief Justice Moore hand-delivering a letter to the office of Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina , who has been pro-active in addressing this important issue of the Armed Forces limiting the voice of military chaplains. (Please click here to read the letter to Congressman Jones.)

A visit was also paid to Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama regarding the Navy Policy, as well as the Constitutional Restoration Act.

Judge Roy Moore stated:

“As Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President George Bush should stop those individuals under his executive authority from interfering with the right of military chaplains to pray in the name of Jesus. This action taken by the Secretary of the Navy contradicts our history and our law and is simply wrong! U.S. Code Title 10, Section 603(1) still recognizes the original Navy policy since 1860,

‘An officer in the Chaplain Corp. may conduct public worship according to the manner and forms of the church of which he is a member.'” (emphasis added)

The right of Chaplains to pray in the name of Jesus has been recognized throughout our history and the President as Commander-in-Chief, as well as our executive authority should take every action to preserve that right. We are seeing our rights of religious liberty being taken away from us without authority of law.