Proposed amendment to Defense Appropriations bill protects appointments of religious chaplains

CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY July 23, 2013 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427

Proposed amendment to Defense Appropriations bill protects appointments of religious chaplains

WASHINGTON — Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, an organization of chaplain endorsers representing more than 2,000 chaplains actively serving the armed forces, commends the amendment to the 2014 Defense Appropriations bill that ensures funds designated to appoint chaplains for military departments are used to preserve the mission of the chaplain corps.

“Chaplains have to be endorsed by a recognized religious group that believes in a deity in order to offer faith-based ministry,” said Chaplain (COL) Ron Crews, USAR retired, Executive Director for Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. “A fringe minority are advocating for atheists to be commissioned as chaplains, but the very nature of the word ‘chaplain’ suggests that the individual possesses a belief in God and a desire to minister to spiritual needs.”

“‘Pro Deo et Patria, For God and Country’ is the motto of Army chaplains who are committed to bringing God to soldiers and soldiers to God,” added Crews. “This has been our ministry since George Washington founded the chaplain corps on July 29, 1775. We commend Rep. John Fleming, R. LA, who proposed this amendment and those in Congress who understand this crucial ministry.”

Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization of chaplain endorsers, the faith groups that provide chaplains for the U.S. military and other agencies needing chaplains. The endorsers in Chaplain Alliance speak for more than 2,600 chaplains serving the Armed Forces.

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