Contact: Wanda L. Sanchez, Faith2Action, 209-534-9921

MEDIA ADVISORY, June 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- “Just days before our nation celebrates its freedom, the top judge in the United States Navy has ruled that a chaplain can be punished for the content of his sermon in an optional chapel service and for his prayers while aboard ship!” says Janet Folger, President of Faith2Action, and author of the telling book, The Criminalization of Christianity. 

Military Judge Anita K. Baker has endorsed a ruling that a commanding officer had grounds to punish Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt for preaching an “exclusive” sermon.   He was punished in writing three times by his commanding officer for preaching a service that included the Gospel.  The service in question was a Christian memorial service in the chapel for a sailor, who died from injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident.   This sailor had professed faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior shortly before his death.   Attendance for the service was completely voluntary.

The sermon was advertised as a Christian service to honor the Christian faith of this sailor.   The message included a quotation of John 3:36, which says “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

 “Why has the Navy JAG ruled that the Bible can’t be quoted in the chapel?”  asks Chaplain Klingenschmitt. He believes the Navy is contradicting its own code.  “This proves they’ve been lying to the public for six months saying we have total freedom to quote the Bible, and pray in Jesus’ name during optional worship.”  Klingenschmitt said.  “Their top judge ruled we clearly don’t have that freedom.”  The only appeal options for the chaplain are:  (1) to file a lawsuit against the Navy in federal court; or (2) to have the decision overturned by either President Bush (202-456-1414) or Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (703-692-5131).

“I told you so!”   Folger enthused!  “This is exactly what I predicted would happen in my book—Christianity is criminalized in sermons and prayers in America.”   “If they can silence this chaplain today, they will silence you tomorrow.  None of our religious freedoms are safe until this is reversed.”

Chaplain Klingenschmitt and Janet Folger are available for interviews and may be reached through Wanda at:  209-534-9921; Chaplain Klingenschmitt:  719-360-5132;  Janet Folger:  954-893-8797