[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 167 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1725-E1726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE MILITARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, religious freedom is a fundamental human 
right--a right which is guaranteed by the First Amendment. Many of 
America's earliest settlers came to her shores seeking religious 
freedom. As individuals around the world face persecution because of 
their religious beliefs, America has

[[Page E1726]]

stood as the beacon for the importance of protecting the ability to 
freely exercise religious beliefs without fear of intimidation, 
reprisal, or harm.
   It is impossible to defend religious freedom for the civilian and 
yet deny it to the soldier. The full expression and practice of faith 
in the military has strong roots. General Washington oversaw the 
formation of a military chaplaincy in 1775 to support and sustain his 
men in their religious beliefs. President Franklin D. Roosevelt 
composed the forward to a military edition of the New Testament, in 
which he wrote, ``Throughout the centuries men of many faiths and 
diverse origins have found in the Sacred Book words of wisdom, counsel 
and inspiration. It is a fountain of strength and now, as always, an 
aid in attaining the highest aspirations of the human soul.''
   Faith permeates every aspect of a person's life; it cannot be 
confined to a belief that is maintained only within one's head, home, 
or place of worship. It is essential that our military policies and 
leadership respect the fact that a person's faith also informs the way 
in which they serve. Anything less is a disservice to their brave and 
noble sacrifice. It is for this reason that Congress enacted conscience 
protections in last year's National Defense Authorization Act. However, 
these protections have fallen on deaf ears. President Obama called 
these protections ill-advised and unnecessary. Over eleven months have 
passed since these protections were signed into law, and the Department 
of Defense has yet to implement policies to enforce the conscience 
protections.
   Furthermore, I fear there is a growing lack of understanding for the 
importance of preserving the integrity of the chaplaincy. A chaplain's 
purpose is first and foremost to facilitate the free exercise rights of 
servicemembers and their families. They serve as an essential pillar of 
support, especially for those who are not able to freely access 
religious services and support in the way they could as civilians. 
Chaplains are more than counselors, honorably and indiscriminately 
serving all servicemembers.
   The members of our Armed Forces do not leave their faith at home 
when they commit to serve our country, and I remain committed to 
ensuring they are never required to do so.

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