Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Leaders Needed for JESUS in Virginia
Kaine Supports State Trooper Ban on Public Sectarian Prayer
This past week I heard about the ban against the state troopers Chaplains in Virginia from a gentleman in my church at a prayer meeting. As a concerned citizen and as a pastor and leader of my family it is time I stood up to be heard. Will you? Enough are the days of excuses as to why we do nothing when we hear of adversity to our Christian heritage and principals. I hope you will join me as a leader and as fellow concerned Christian and speak out when ever or where ever Christianity is discriminated against.
The major religion of America is still Christianity and it is up to Christians to voice themselves now or forevermore to be silenced by a ever growing secular state. Below is my response from Governor Kaine's office regarding my displeasure to his recent stand on prayer in Virginia as it pertains to the recent State Trooper Chaplain issue. Below is the actual reply I received from Governor Kaine's office and below that is my response to that reply. What will you do? What can we call do? I am not a lawyer or a politician but just a small voice from the American landscape much like many of you reading this. If you want to write a note to Kaine's office as I did please click this Link and do so in your own way.
I received this reply from the Governors Office yesterday and have already replyed to it again today and I will post that repoonse at another time. What do you think about the Governors first response to me and liekly others who would write about this issue? Do you agree or disagree and if so please share.
Dear The Rev. Migner:
Thank you for your recent e-mail to Governor Kaine concerning the Virginia State Police Chaplains Program. The Governor understands your concern regarding recent rumors and misinformation being circulated that Virginia State Police chaplains were no longer allowed to pray in the manner they choose and has asked me to respond on his behalf.
In response to a recent ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Turner v. City of Fredericksburg, Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel Steven Flaherty, after consultation with the Attorney General's office, asked Virginia State Police chaplains to offer non-denominational prayers at Department-sanctioned public events such as trooper graduations and annual memorial services. The ruling provided a clear definition of prayers that are considered governmental speech. Prayers at these public events meet that definition.
This issue arose several weeks ago when a meeting was held with all State Police chaplains to discuss the new policy. Chaplains were specifically told that they would still be allowed to offer sectarian prayers at many public occasions, including when conducting funerals at the request of the family. Also in this meeting it was made clear that the State Police would never require a chaplain to deliver a nondenominational prayer at an agency event unless they were willing to do so.
The policy to require nondenominational prayers at Department events was not reached in haste or without careful consideration. Prayers at State Police sponsored events should be nonsectarian in nature to ensure that they are relevant to people of all backgrounds and do not exclude or disparage a particular faith. State Police chaplains have the responsibility to represent everyone - not just those that share the same faith. This change is a sincere effort to ensure that the religious beliefs of everyone are equally protected and respected and that the State Police does not unintentionally advocate one religion over another. In addition, this change was absolutely necessary in order for the Department to comply with court decisions concerning the issue of sectarian prayer at government sanctioned events.
In these rulings the law is clear that Department chaplains while on compensated duty as representatives of a governmental entity, the Virginia State Police, cannot offer a denominational prayer that advocates one religion over another at an official government function but can offer a nondenominational prayer.
It is also important to note that while this policy change was necessary to comply with federal court rulings, it is also consistent with the policy followed by chaplains of all faiths in the United States Military serving our men and women in the Armed Forces and with those followed by chaplains serving in other law enforcement agencies across the United States. These chaplains do not disdain the faiths of others nor do they proselytize for their own faith above another. These chaplains strive for an unbiased understanding of all faiths that allows for acceptance and goodwill from those they minister to by encouraging a sense of religious tolerance and a further understanding of the common aspects of our shared spiritual heritage as they minister to the needs of all the employees they serve.
No one was forced to resign from their duties as chaplains. Apparently six individuals, after receiving the Colonel's guidance, decided to step down from their voluntary positions. They have retained their offices and salaries. Many others in the chaplaincy corps have chosen to continue as chaplains and follow the Colonel's directive.
The Colonel's directive is within the bounds of the law, as set out by the Court's ruling, while respecting the individual faith traditions of all state troopers. This policy gives the chaplains the opportunity to serve spiritual needs at state-sponsored events in a way that does not exclude any trooper, while protecting a chaplain's ability to adhere to the traditional practices of his or her religion in private services.
The troopers who volunteer as chaplains provide an invaluable service, calling on the strength of their faith traditions to counsel and support men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve the public. Chaplains offer invaluable counsel and support to the families of troopers, and victims, who have suffered overwhelming loss and trauma. As someone called to service by his own faith, Governor Kaine has tremendous respect for chaplains' vocations and desire to serve.
The Governor also has tremendous respect for those who are called into service by a faith tradition different from his own. He has respect for the laws and traditions of our Commonwealth and our nation that guarantee free practice of religion, demand tolerance, and remind us that no one should be discriminated against or made to feel out of place because of their beliefs. The Governor believes the laws of our nation are designed to ensure that we can all freely practice our faith, and that they are also designed to ensure that in our enthusiasm for our own belief, we do not trespass against another's.
The federal court rulings and the information provided in the preceding paragraphs led to the change in policy following long and careful consideration. While I regret that this decision has caused such concern, this policy does not require that chaplains deny their religious beliefs; nor does it prevent them from sharing their faith in those situations where it is completely appropriate. It also does not prohibit them from privately praying in any manner they choose. This policy simply ensures the beliefs of everyone are respected in the prayers offered at Department sanctioned events.
I hope this information has helped to fully explain this issue and has allowed you to more clearly understand the basis for this policy.
Thank you for your interest in this important topic.
The major religion of America is still Christianity and it is up to Christians to voice themselves now or forevermore to be silenced by a ever growing secular state. Below is my response from Governor Kaine's office regarding my displeasure to his recent stand on prayer in Virginia as it pertains to the recent State Trooper Chaplain issue. Below is the actual reply I received from Governor Kaine's office and below that is my response to that reply. What will you do? What can we call do? I am not a lawyer or a politician but just a small voice from the American landscape much like many of you reading this. If you want to write a note to Kaine's office as I did please click this Link and do so in your own way.
I received this reply from the Governors Office yesterday and have already replyed to it again today and I will post that repoonse at another time. What do you think about the Governors first response to me and liekly others who would write about this issue? Do you agree or disagree and if so please share.
Dear The Rev. Migner:
Thank you for your recent e-mail to Governor Kaine concerning the Virginia State Police Chaplains Program. The Governor understands your concern regarding recent rumors and misinformation being circulated that Virginia State Police chaplains were no longer allowed to pray in the manner they choose and has asked me to respond on his behalf.
In response to a recent ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Turner v. City of Fredericksburg, Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel Steven Flaherty, after consultation with the Attorney General's office, asked Virginia State Police chaplains to offer non-denominational prayers at Department-sanctioned public events such as trooper graduations and annual memorial services. The ruling provided a clear definition of prayers that are considered governmental speech. Prayers at these public events meet that definition.
This issue arose several weeks ago when a meeting was held with all State Police chaplains to discuss the new policy. Chaplains were specifically told that they would still be allowed to offer sectarian prayers at many public occasions, including when conducting funerals at the request of the family. Also in this meeting it was made clear that the State Police would never require a chaplain to deliver a nondenominational prayer at an agency event unless they were willing to do so.
The policy to require nondenominational prayers at Department events was not reached in haste or without careful consideration. Prayers at State Police sponsored events should be nonsectarian in nature to ensure that they are relevant to people of all backgrounds and do not exclude or disparage a particular faith. State Police chaplains have the responsibility to represent everyone - not just those that share the same faith. This change is a sincere effort to ensure that the religious beliefs of everyone are equally protected and respected and that the State Police does not unintentionally advocate one religion over another. In addition, this change was absolutely necessary in order for the Department to comply with court decisions concerning the issue of sectarian prayer at government sanctioned events.
In these rulings the law is clear that Department chaplains while on compensated duty as representatives of a governmental entity, the Virginia State Police, cannot offer a denominational prayer that advocates one religion over another at an official government function but can offer a nondenominational prayer.
It is also important to note that while this policy change was necessary to comply with federal court rulings, it is also consistent with the policy followed by chaplains of all faiths in the United States Military serving our men and women in the Armed Forces and with those followed by chaplains serving in other law enforcement agencies across the United States. These chaplains do not disdain the faiths of others nor do they proselytize for their own faith above another. These chaplains strive for an unbiased understanding of all faiths that allows for acceptance and goodwill from those they minister to by encouraging a sense of religious tolerance and a further understanding of the common aspects of our shared spiritual heritage as they minister to the needs of all the employees they serve.
No one was forced to resign from their duties as chaplains. Apparently six individuals, after receiving the Colonel's guidance, decided to step down from their voluntary positions. They have retained their offices and salaries. Many others in the chaplaincy corps have chosen to continue as chaplains and follow the Colonel's directive.
The Colonel's directive is within the bounds of the law, as set out by the Court's ruling, while respecting the individual faith traditions of all state troopers. This policy gives the chaplains the opportunity to serve spiritual needs at state-sponsored events in a way that does not exclude any trooper, while protecting a chaplain's ability to adhere to the traditional practices of his or her religion in private services.
The troopers who volunteer as chaplains provide an invaluable service, calling on the strength of their faith traditions to counsel and support men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve the public. Chaplains offer invaluable counsel and support to the families of troopers, and victims, who have suffered overwhelming loss and trauma. As someone called to service by his own faith, Governor Kaine has tremendous respect for chaplains' vocations and desire to serve.
The Governor also has tremendous respect for those who are called into service by a faith tradition different from his own. He has respect for the laws and traditions of our Commonwealth and our nation that guarantee free practice of religion, demand tolerance, and remind us that no one should be discriminated against or made to feel out of place because of their beliefs. The Governor believes the laws of our nation are designed to ensure that we can all freely practice our faith, and that they are also designed to ensure that in our enthusiasm for our own belief, we do not trespass against another's.
The federal court rulings and the information provided in the preceding paragraphs led to the change in policy following long and careful consideration. While I regret that this decision has caused such concern, this policy does not require that chaplains deny their religious beliefs; nor does it prevent them from sharing their faith in those situations where it is completely appropriate. It also does not prohibit them from privately praying in any manner they choose. This policy simply ensures the beliefs of everyone are respected in the prayers offered at Department sanctioned events.
I hope this information has helped to fully explain this issue and has allowed you to more clearly understand the basis for this policy.
Thank you for your interest in this important topic.
Sincerely,
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Constituent Services Director
Posted by email from Pastor Gadgets Posterous
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