JONES REAFFIRMS SACRED ROLE OF MILITARY CHAPLAINS

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and 45 fellow members of Congress are calling on the Navy to reinforce the religious role and purpose of military chaplains. In a letter sent last week, Congressman Jones and his colleagues are asking that the Navy reassess its decision to select a secular-humanist, Dr. Jason Heap, to serve in the Navy chaplain corps.

Historically, the chaplain corps serves to meet the religious needs of service members. Stated in the 2014 and 2016 NDAA reports and ruled by the Supreme Court that non-religious beliefs are not protected by the religion clauses, Dr. Heap does not have the credentials to be a chaplain.

“How can a person represent a faith group when he or she doesn’t have faith?” asked Congressman Jones. “Accepting an atheist into the chaplain corps would dilute the religious and impactful role of the group.”

The full letter to Chaplain Margaret Kibben and Vice Admiral Robert Burke is attached.

Congressman Jones has consistently supported and defended the service of military chaplains.

For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Walter Jones’ office at Allison.tucker@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-3415.
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