Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is defending why his administration forced the sudden resignation of five Virginia State Police Chaplains because they prayed publicly “in Jesus’ name.” Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty single-handedly created then enforced a strict “non-sectarian” prayer policy at all public gatherings, censoring and excluding Christian prayers, then accepted the resignation of five chaplains who refused to deny Jesus or violate their conscience by watering down their prayers.
House Republican Leader Morgan Griffith and Delegate Charles W. Carrico, (R-Grayson) both issued public statements defending the chaplains, questioning Governor Kaine’s role in terminating the chaplains, and vowing to introduce legislation protecting police chaplains’ right to pray according to their own conscience.
Defending Flaherty’s persecution of Christian Chaplains, Governor Kaine pretended he himself was being persecuted, saying through his spokesman: “It is disappointing that Del. Griffith would make such a political attack on Gov. Kaine about his faith.”
Former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, who was also fired in 2007 for praying “in Jesus name” in uniform (but won the victory in the U.S. Congress for other military chaplains), weighed in:
“Governor Kaine campaigned like a Christian to get our votes. But now, instead of governing like a Christian, or respecting his own chaplains’ First Amendment rights, his administration forced the resignation of five police chaplains, simply because they prayed publicly ‘in Jesus’ name.’ These five chaplains lost their jobs for honoring Christ. They’re heroes of the faith, because they refused to deny Jesus when ordered to by the Kaine administration. If they contact me, they will be honored through my web-site: www.PrayInJesusName.org. And now Governor Kaine pretends he’s the martyr, because we question why his administration forced them to resign for praying to Jesus? He’s still got a job, they don’t. Governor Kaine isn’t the martyr, he’s the persecutor.”
Citizens are urged to call Governor Kaine’s office at 804-786-2211, to insist the chaplains be reinstated and the policy reversed, and also email him through his web-site:
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm
I guess now we are going to see the fire that has up to now been directed against Gov. Palin pointed at any public figure that prophesies his or her faith in public. I would think that most of this is being backed by one of the major forces in the race for the white house. Of course you would never be able to prove it.
Just my thoughts on the firing of the chaplains
I will be praying for these Chaplins, and for our country it seems as though
it has made 180dg. from GOD. Ilove America and want to see it rise above this
type of mind set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stephen Downey
Why is it that muslims can have their driver’s license photo taken with a burka over their faces because of their “RELIGIOUS RIGHTS,” but Christians cannot pray in the name of Jesus?
Jesus is the core of Christianity and it is OUR RIGHT to pray in His Name.
It appears any religion has privileges except Christianity. That is because religions are all about religion and Christianity is about a relationship, with the Lord Jesus Christ Satan is the present “prince of the power of the air”, though still subject to God the creator, works through religion to try to prevent any reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the One and only Saviour. As we come closer to these end times, we can expect to see more of more of such actions as refusing to let anyone pray in the Name of Jesus. Titus 2:13: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”