New Policy Bans Virginia State Police Chaplains From Saying ‘Jesus,‘ Christ’ In Prayer
Bill Christian
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By Bill Christian
Anchor / Reporter / WJHL
Published: September 29, 2008
A new policy banning Virginia State Police chaplains from saying Jesus,‘ Christ’ during prayer is stirring up a lot of controversy. Six chaplains have already resigned over the issue.
“In the bible it says to pray in Jesus name,“ said Charlotte Ryan, Johnson City, Tennessee resident.
Claude Duncan from Johnson City is also against the prayer policy change.
“I think it’s a terrible thing that they would create such a thing that would deny us the privilege of praying in the name of our savor, Jesus Christ,“ Duncan said.
We found strong opposition on Monday to a decision by Virginia State Police to ban chaplains from saying ‘Jesus,‘ ‘Christ’ in prayer at department events like trooper graduations.
Trooper Rex Carter is one of six chaplains who resigned after this prayer policy change by Virginia State Police.
“I just felt that my faith, my bible, my convictions must be my guide, so I made a decision to resign from the program rather than participate in this generic prayer policy,“ Carter said.
Carter and the other chaplains who resigned will remain on the force as officers. Why was this new policy put in place?
In a statement, Virginia State Police Colonel Steven Flaherty wrote.
“The Department recognizes the importance as a state government agency to be inclusive and respectful of the varied ethnicities, cultures, and beliefs of our employees, their families, and citizens at-large.“
The chaplains who resigned will remain on the force as sworn officers.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( mroggeman ) on October 10, 2008 at 7:28 am
I am a police officer in Denver, Colorado and work with our Chaplians . It is absurd not to be able to use the name Jesus is it in fact the basis of your belief. How could that possibly offend anyone?
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Posted by ( dresdenplate ) on October 08, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I’m wondering…..could they pray to Allah???
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Posted by ( dblspeed ) on October 04, 2008 at 7:08 am
Well first off, I’m on the side of most of you. However, where the founding fathers may have made up the majority as Christians, I more believe that it was founded more for the freedom of religion (actually the freedom from religion as the Vatican was the ruling power who supported the Kingship) not just for one type or group. Many religious faiths came here, but of course, got no press in history.
Again folks, I’m on your side here. But would you be so up in arms if they had banned the name of Krishna, or Budda, or Alla for that matter. Would that have even made the news?
We, as a collected group of people have failed. Talk the Talk, but very few actually Walk the Walk. If we intend to change things, we better pick up our feet. How long would before school prayer take if we tried to give every faith it’s due? Would you fight for the others as vehemently as you fight for your own?
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Posted by ( Latinteacher ) on October 02, 2008 at 9:38 am
This is just anothe aspect of the lunacy of our politicians! The majority of Virginians elected a governor who is not a native Virginian, has no concept of our values, and does not care to learn. Governor Kaine has done a great deal of damage to our state, and, seemingly, continues to do so almost every day. We citizens of this part of the state are never considered at all in any decision that comes out of Richmond—everything seems to gravitate to the northern section of our state, and may Heaven protect us from those heathen politicians!
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Posted by ( linnybug1 ) on October 01, 2008 at 7:01 pm
If I were not a Christian it would be a scary world to wake up to everyday and read things that are coming about in this nation and world. The only thing that I worry about are the souls of my family, loved ones, and neighbors as well if they are not ready to meet God Almighty. I see our government shutting us up (Christians) when we want to talk about our faith and the founding of this nation. Well let me tell you out there that doubt God’s existence and those who work in the government. You might try and silence us and do so. But when you stand before Jesus Christ you will not shut or silence him. The bible says he went as quite as a lamb to the slaughter when they crucified him, but when he makes his return he will come as a roaring lion. May God have mercy on those who do not or will not accept him. There is only one hope for man and its not through another man or our government its only through salvation. Amy Grindstaff
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Posted by ( watchdog ) on September 30, 2008 at 8:24 am
“Jesus H. Christ!“ R U serious?
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Posted by ( dilberthtml ) on September 29, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I almost forgot when 911 happened The President even called for prayer. It is funny, when nothing else works our government always calls on prayer, when things are great our government forgets God.
If our government does not believe in God why do they celebrate Christian holidays? If they do not believe, I’d love my mail to be delivered on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Good Friday. Id love the president, Congress, and the Senate to be working also on these days. Christian holidays are for Christian’s!!!
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Posted by ( dilberthtml ) on September 29, 2008 at 10:52 pm
A Chaplains duty is to keep Gods word an the Bible is Gods word. Given this the state of Virginia is prohibiting Chaplains from completing their Job. If I were a Chaplain I would not / could not work under this condition
America was formed because of religious freedom, congress use to pray for hours before a meeting, sometimes the meetings never got started. This shows the separation of church and state is for government to keep out of the churches business.
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Posted by ( Bill ) on September 29, 2008 at 9:03 pm
All I can say is its SAD our children will have grow up in the United States that has changed to this.
LORD HELP us get our GREAT COUNTRY back. AMEN.
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Posted by ( luvmypup ) on September 29, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Dear evaningstar, I have been called alot, but never lazy. I came home everyday after school and helped my father in either the garden, putting up hay, taking care of the cows or working in tobacco. I even spent summers on an uncle’s farm helping milk cows. I am 42 and “yes” I grow my own food. Our tobacco allotment was bought out many years back. The little farmers were the ones that suffered. No, we did not have 100’s of acres or hire out someone to work our crops, it was a family affair and I thank GOD everyday for my family. I would give anything to go back to those days. Instead, I work two full time jobs, a part time job, yet I still sit down to supper every evening with my family, just like I did with my parents. How is that for lazy? My parents instilled a great work ethnic in me and I pray that I am doing the same in my two kids.
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