Written by Don Byrd
Via Religion Clause, the House Subcommittee on Religious Personnel held a hearing yesterday on the issue of religious accommodation in the military. The discussion focused on restrictions on military chaplains and on personnel that require exemptions for religiously required beards or head coverings.
Religion News Service reports that as for chaplains, members of the congressional subcommittee who hoped to highlight heavy-handed regulations limiting religious freedom, the chaplains on the panel provided little support.
Lawmakers peppered Pentagon officials on Wednesday (Jan. 29) about claims that military chaplains have faced discrimination for their beliefs, and time and again, chaplains and personnel officials said they were unaware of any bias.
Virginia Penrod, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy, told the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel that she could not cite specific instances where chaplains had to preach a sermon or oversee a ceremony that conflicted with their beliefs.
“There’s absolutely nothing in policy or code that prohibits a chaplain from praying according to the dictates of their faith,” she said.
Members of the Sikh community were also in attendance to register their concern that new accommodation policies don’t go far enough in ensuring they won’t have to choose between their faith and service to the country.
You can read witness’ statements at the hearing site here.
