Military Chaplains Must Contend With 'Hate Speech' Accusations; Inclusive Prayers Not an Issue, Senate Chaplain Says
Military chaplains cannot be forced to do something in opposition to their theology, but they may have problems with being accused of "hate speech" for teaching what scripture says about homosexuality, Barry Black, the U.S. Senate Chaplain and a former military chaplain, told a Heritage Foundation audience Monday. He also said he does not believe that the occasions where military chaplains are expected to pray inclusive prayers is a serious problem.
The military directives make clear, Black said, that military chaplains cannot be forced to do something they are opposed to doctrinally. He added, though, that some military chaplains may find themselves in a bind because of the scripture passages that describe homosexual behavior as a sin.
"I can see many military chaplains having some problems because, to teach the passages of Paul with exegetical integrity would mean being accused of engaging in...