CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY May 30, 2014 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427

Chaplains commend Navy for decision on ‘atheist chaplain’ application

WASHINGTON — Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is commending the decision by the Navy Chief of Chaplains to deny the application of Jason Heap, a candidate who wanted to be the military’s first “atheist chaplain.”

“Chaplains, historically and by definition, are people of faith,” said Chaplain (COL) Ron Crews, USAR retired, executive director of Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. “You can’t have an ‘atheist chaplain’ any more than you can have a ‘tiny giant’ or a ‘poor millionaire.’ Chaplains have been serving military members since 1775 by bringing God to soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and members of the Coast Guard. I am grateful that, in this decision, the Navy has honored our long tradition of providing for the spiritual needs of the men and women who serve our nation in the military.”

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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