Written by Don ByrdThe government shutdown has kept all kinds of federal workers from doing their jobs, including some military chaplains who are under contract to provide services. One such civilian contractor, Father Ray Leonard, filed suit against the Department of Defense alleging violations of his religious freedom after he was not allowed to perform ceremonies while the government remained unfunded. While legislation allowed for continued military funding during the shutdown, the Defense Department interpreted that law to not cover contracting services like those provided by Leonard, who was deemed non-essential.
Written by Don ByrdUS News and World Report profiles a new religious liberty campaign involving thousands of military chaplains.
Written by Don ByrdYesterday’s NYTimes featured a profile of the ongoing efforts of U.S. Army Maj. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, an American Sikh who in 2009 was granted the first exception in nearly 30 years from military rules restricting hair length, beards and head coverings. It didn’t come easy. Kalsi fought for two years to fulfill his desire and follow in the Sikh tradition of military service. But his exception was granted under a case-by-case policy which rarely says yes.
Now, Kalsi wants to change the rules altogether.
Written by Don ByrdThe White House Tuesday released a policy statement responding to provisions it finds objectionable in the Defense Authorization Act approved by the House Armed Services Committee. Among the disagreements, the Obama Administration opposes a recent amendment (see earlier post) that requires the military to allow broader speech and conduct motivated by religious belief.
Written by Don ByrdWhen Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Military Religious Freedom Foundation head Mikey Weinstein decide to argue an issue head-to-head, there is about a zero percent chance the tone will be calm and deferential. Bachmann took to the political arena, calling church-state advocates like Weinstein “anti-Christian” in a campaign letter to her supporters. She also accuses church-state separationists of wanting to deny military personnel the right to practice their faith.
