“My amendment is necessary to ensure that men and women of faith will not be discriminated against in the Armed Forces, and will be free to exercise their religious beliefs. Military service members, particularly chaplains, feel like their ability to execute their duties are being greatly limited by some of the policies and actions in the Pentagon.”For background, read Pentagon Says Following Jesus' Command is a Court Martial Offense and also read Obama's Army Says Christians are Worst Terrorists as well as Air Force Engages War on Christianity, Say Lawmakers
-- Rep. John Fleming (R-LA)
UPDATE 7/9/13 - Congressmen explain constitutional freedom of religion and threats thereto in Obama's military (video):
UPDATE 10/26/13: Army Admits Training Labeled Christians as Terrorists; Air Force Drops God
-- From "HASC Approves 2014 NDAA, Ignores Next Sequestration Round" by John T. Bennett, Defense News 6/6/13
The House panel’s bill would clear the Pentagon to spend up to $552.1 billion in 2014. That level is larger than the $526.6 billion the Obama administration is seeking for the Defense Department.
HASC Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., said in a statement that he is “proud” of the bill. “Despite important disagreements on key issues, our members have never failed to come to a consensus on behalf of our fighting men and women,” he said.
Panel Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-Wash., said in a separate statement the bill has “flaws” and vowed to address those on the House floor. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "House Panel Rejects Military Chaplain Prayer Limits" posted at CBNNews.com 6/6/13
The House Armed Services Committee decided chaplains should be able to pray in the name of Jesus or their faith's deity at general events.
Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., argued that such prayers would make some troops feel excluded.
But Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., say there is no reason to have a chaplain "if they cannot pray according to their conscience."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Lawmakers Vote to Oppose Atheist Chaplains in Military" by Katherine Weber, Christian Post Reporter 6/6/13
Lawmakers voted against an amendment Wednesday that would allow atheist chaplains to serve in the U.S. military, arguing that the appointment of an atheist to chaplaincy contradicts the purpose of a chaplain – to offer prayer and spiritual guidance to servicemen and women.
New Jersey Rep. Andrews argued that he proposed the amendment not to be controversial, but rather to simply offer atheists in the military the same private counseling offered to religious military members.
The text of the amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to appoint "humanists, ethical culturalists, and atheists" to the Chaplain Corps of the Armed Forces.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Congressman: Troops Being Punished For Expressing Religious Faith" by Todd Starnes, Foxnews.com 6/5/13
[Rep. John] Fleming said steps taken in last year’s NDAA only focused on protecting beliefs of service members – and not the exercise or expression of those beliefs.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to questions about the congressman’s amendment.
Fleming told Fox News it appears that in some cases members of the U.S. military have been punished because of their religious faith.
Fleming said the purpose of his amendment is to clarify ambiguities in the Pentagon’s policies.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "House panel adopts ‘conscience’ amendment to defense bill" by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade 6/5/13
A House panel on Wednesday approved as part of major defense legislation an amendment that would make it easier for troops to harass their gay comrades without fear of reprisal.
President Obama signed the existing “conscience provision” under Section 533 as part of the Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Authorization Act. At the time of the signing, Obama called it “unnecessary” and said he was signing the defense package under assurances the Pentagon wouldn’t “permit or condone discriminatory actions that compromise good order and discipline or otherwise violate military codes of conduct.”
LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] groups expressed disappointment over the adoption of the amendment and said it reflects a continued discontent among those who opposed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal.
. . . the measure requires the Pentagon to implement regulations within 120 days after the bill becomes law. The defense secretary must consult with “official military faith-group representatives who endorse military chaplains” before the regulations are issued.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Soldier Reprimanded Over Promotion Party Featuring Chick-fil-A Sandwiches" by Dave Bohon, New American 6/7/13
A U.S. Army soldier was disciplined after he hosted a party for his promotion to the rank of master sergeant and served Chick-fil-A sandwiches in honor of traditional marriage. The unidentified serviceman's promotion coincided with the controversy that erupted last year over Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy's comments in favor of traditional marriage. Homosexual activist groups launched a high-profile boycott of the fast-food chain, which backfired when tens of thousands of Christians nationwide countered with a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” that brought record sales for the company.
According to Ron Crews of the group Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, the serviceman was investigated, reprimanded, threatened with judicial action, and given a bad efficiency report after he sent invitations that read, “In honor of my promotion and in honor of the Defense of Marriage Act, I’m serving Chick-fil-A sandwiches at my promotion party.”
Crews told Fox News that Army officials said the soldier was “no longer a team player and was not performing up to standards. This is just one little example of a case of a soldier just wanting to express his views and now he’s been jumped on by the military.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
For further background, read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and also read Religious Liberty & Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
In addition, read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
