CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY June 4, 2020 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427

Chaplain Alliance Commends Decision to Recognize Religious Expression as Protected

WASHINGTON — Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty commends the decision to recognize that chaplain materials on the Fort Sill webpage are communications protected by the Constitution of the United States, federal law and military regulations. The frequently misapplied phrase, “the separation of church and state”, continues to be used to deny lawful expressions of religious activity. These materials received a complaint from unnamed sources at Fort Sill that were made public by an outside advocacy group.

Chaplain (COL) Ron Crews, USAR Retired, Executive Director for Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty said, “The chaplains at Fort Sill, like military chaplains in all branches of service, have been providing religious support in creative ways during these unprecedented times caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Like their civilian counterparts, in-person worship services have been suspended. These chaplains have continued to provide support to service members and their families through media platforms. There is no Constitutional violation when commanders allow chaplains to use command platforms to provide religious support. To the contrary, the Constitution protects religious expression within the Armed Forces.”

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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