A diverse coalition of religious and civil liberties groups spoke out against a U.S. House bill in which a provision was passed stating military chaplains should be mindful of the pluralistic nature of the army and provide non-sectarian and inclusive prayer if necessary. Chaplains or their endorsing groups filed no complaints. However, the civil liberties coalition felt the provision was “unnecessary and unwise.”
“The fact is, there was no outcry from chaplains or their endorsing organizations concerning an adverse environment for ministry,” said K. Hollyn Hollman, general counsel for the Baptist Joint Committee. “Chaplains recognize that ministry in the military takes place in a pluralistic setting and that the focus should be on the armed service members and the soldiers' freedom to freely express their faith.”
Chaplains should pray in a more inclusive manner, however, when “prayer is called for in a large-group setting or 'command ceremony' where attendance may not be voluntary. If a chaplain does not feel comfortable offering a non-sectarian, inclusive prayer in such a setting, he or she should have the right to refuse to participate without negative consequences.”
