AP: Fight Over Army Chaplains May Be Renewed

[Eugene]

Fight Over Army Chaplains May Be Renewed

By ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY
The Associated Press
Tuesday, October 3, 2006; 3:03 AM

WASHINGTON -- Christian conservatives in Congress are expected to renew
their fight to allow military chaplains to pray in the name of Jesus
at public events, contending that existing practices infringe upon basic
religious freedoms.

They lost a battle last week to push through legislation that would have
allowed military chaplains to publicly lead groups in sectarian prayers.
The language was championed by conservatives who say service policies
are so restrictive that chaplains cannot invoke Jesus's name when praying
in public, including over a dead soldier on the battlefield.

-snip-

Rep. Walter Jones and other conservatives who supported the legislation
say their proposal is not intended to allow evangelizing within the
military.

-snip-

Jones and Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., said pushing legislation next year to
lift religious restrictions on chaplains would be a focus for them
if re-elected.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/03/AR2006100300071.html