CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY July 9, 2013 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427
Chaplain endorsers announce campaign to educate military personnel on religious liberty
WASHINGTON — Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, an organization of chaplain endorsers representing more than 2,000 chaplains actively serving the armed forces, announces a campaign to inform military personnel of their God given, constitutionally protected religious liberties.
Chaplain (COL) Ron Crews, USAR retired, Executive Director for Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty said, “We continue to receive reports from military personnel who are concerned their religious liberties are being infringed, even as they offer their lives to protect the religious liberty of all Americans. To ensure our men and women in uniform are able to exercise their sincerely held religious beliefs, we are making “Religious Liberty Palm Cards” available to chaplains and all service men and women. The cards outline what service members’ constitutionally protected religious liberties are and what to do if they believe their freedoms are being threatened. We have also established a link on our website that will provide a place for those who have encountered problems to report their concerns. We have enlisted experienced attorneys as well as retired chaplains to provide counsel and encouragement.”
Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is joining with others to support amendments recently passed by the full House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee. These amendments make clear that religious liberty protects the religious actions and speech of those in the military.“ This language is necessary because it appears that some in the Department of Defense mistakenly understand religious liberty to protect only one’s beliefs, rather than the resulting actions and speech based on one’s beliefs. Yet to believe is to live out your beliefs, to express your beliefs. These amendments are carefully worded to respect good order and discipline while protecting religious liberty of our men and women in uniform,” Crews said.
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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