Oh Gawd. Another Christian battle: Chaplain hunger-strike at capitol.

[Maddy McCall]

And he's blowing the whole situation out of proportion. Navy chaplain Klingenschmitt claims he's going to be fired and lose his pension after 15-years of service, because he prays "in Jesus' name." But the Navy chief of chaplians says that they've not punished him in any way, that he's still on active duty. Klingenschmitt was just on MSNBC, and it was obvious that he's a publicity ham.

Just another "Christians are persecuted" crisis. Here's his website, for anyone who's interested.

http://www.persuade.tv/

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. he is an idiot. Even without pushing him, his logic and argument collapsed

What part about "following orders and doing his duty" does he not understand?
He was trying to change the entire chaplain approach simply for his own purposes?

And why is a 15 career military man still of such a low rank? That says a lot.

[Maddy McCall]

2. Did you see his website? He's having 10AM press conferences...

every morning to pray for Bush.

:eyes:

[BOSSHOG]

3. A Pension? A thing of value to a chaplain??

He's a cheap news hound. However, if I were the Chief of Chaplains, klingen-dipshit would receive some intense counseling on the Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. If he feels so strongly of his convictions, he can resign his commission and go home. But that would be the honorable thing to do.

[Maddy McCall]

9. I agree with you.

I am sure that he's HOPING that he does get discharged, so that he can raise a bigger stink.

[BOSSHOG]

4. A Pension? A thing of value to a chaplain??

He's a cheap news hound. However, if I were the Chief of Chaplains, klingen-dipshit would receive some intense counseling on the Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. If he feels so strongly of his convictions, he can resign his commission and go home. But that would be the honorable thing to do.

[acmejack]

5. I hope he starves his dumb ass to death.

Good riddance of a lying jerk.

[SpiralHawk]

6. Pisces - Christian sign - is two fish

One swimming in the direction of true respect, compassion, and fellowship and on the Beauty Way. It is magnificent. The other fish is swimming in the direction of illusions that lead to (alternately) persecution of others, and then the pretense of being martyred.

The Dominionist Neocons play this DYSFUNCTIONAL FISH scenario to Oscar-winning perfection. They persecute others for not believing exactly what they do, then they whine and scream that people are being mean to them.

[katinmn]

7. Why does MSNBC cover this crap?

[Norquist Nemesis]

11. Great question! They started it last night on Carlson's show!

I was surprised to see it's continuing today. Then again, Carlson's parting words were something to the effect that he was sure the guy would be getting a lot more exposure about it. How telling.

The man appeared to be a publicity hound who's found that fanatical religious expression (rather, oppression and persecution :eyes: ) are just the ticket! *insert jerkoff emoticon*

[peacebaby3]

8. Why don't these people get more press?!?!?

On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the Capitol Police arrested 115 religious leaders - members of the clergy, direct service providers from faith-based organizations, grassroots activists, and seven Sojourners and Call to Renewal staff - for their witness against the House of Representatives' immoral budget legislation.


In a speech on the House floor early Monday morning, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) cited this historic action as evidence of the growing movement among people of faith "drawing a moral line in the sand against this budget" to demand that our elected representatives use our national wealth for the good of all, not the enrichment of some.

<http://www.sojo.net/> One of the greatest organizations!

[RB TexLa]

10. And it's bullshit

DoD has stated that in religious services and personal counseling with individuals the chaplains can pray in whoever's name they want. It is only during a public event that they are asked not to pray in the name of the Trinity, or Jesus or to Allah.

[Norquist Nemesis]

12. It's also apparently not the first time this guy's garnered attention

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=33868

ACLJ has it's hand in this, too.

[Ernesto]

13. Sounds like the man deserves to be "laid off"

What a loser! I bet the Air Force was glad to let the Navy have him!
(snip) He believes his superiors are working toward discharging him from the service and the chaplain’s corps, and has filed a lawsuit against the Navy to keep his post. His contract runs out Dec. 31, and he said officials will not provide the necessary paperwork for him to continue in the chaplain’s role.
Klingenschmitt served for 11 years in the Air Force, not as a chaplain, before accepting a demotion to become a Navy chaplain three years ago, and has had numerous skirmishes with senior sailors in the past.
BTW>>> Officers are commonly discharged for incompetence before reaching retirement.
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?article=33868§ion=104

[TahitiNut]

14. There's something basically incompatible between zealous evangelism ...

... and a service attitude. Chaplains are called upon to minister to service personnel of a wide range of faiths - even agnostics and atheists. A zealously evangelical chaplain does not seem to be able to stifle the proselytizing ... and should be barred from being a chaplain, imho.

[Walt Starr]

15. If this guy has an objection to performing the duties of a chaplain

I'd suggest he get out of the chaplain corps.

What's he going to do when called upon for Wiccan services (and yes, the Chaplain's manual outlines them and requires any chaplain be capable fo performing them)?