GA ALert #1: Restoring Chaplain Religious Liberty Rights

Victoria Cobb, President
Monday, January 5, 2009

(This is the first in a series of email alerts introducing The Family Foundation's 2009 legislative agenda.)

This past fall, as Virginians were worrying about the failing economy and state government announced massive revenue “shortfalls,” the Kaine administration tried to quietly introduce a new regulation that forbid state police chaplains from praying in the name of Jesus. Apparently the superintendent of the state police did this proactively, without any complaints from anyone “offended” that a chaplain had actually prayed to God.

Six of 17 chaplains resigned their positions as chaplains over this order. We were honored to have two of those chaplains at our Richmond Gala in November.

The superintendent and Governor’s office alleged that the policy change is based on a recent 4th Circuit Court decision involving prayer at government meetings, specifically a case where a pastor in the Fredericksburg area was ordered to stop praying “in Jesus name” at city council meetings. The court concluded that allowing someone to publicly pray according to his beliefs at a government meeting was an "establishment of religion" because the prayer was "government speech."

Other circuit court rulings, however, are in direct conflict with the 4th Circuit, and many legal experts conclude that the state police decision is a misapplication of a flawed 4th Circuit Court ruling anyway. In other words, this new policy never should have happened.

To remedy the Kaine administration’s decision, The Family Foundation will support legislation this year introduced by state Senator Steve Martin (R-11, Chesterfield) and Delegate Bill Carrico (R-5, Independence). Working with Alliance Defense Fund and their expert attorneys we believe that there is a legislative answer.

Next week, the 2009 General Assembly will begin. The Family Foundation is poised to bring our pro-God, pro-life, pro-family agenda to the center of the debate. I hope that you will be ready to take action when bills like this one protecting the religious liberty rights of chaplains are debated!