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New Air Force guidelines controversy

Evangelical Christian groups, members of Congress and a senior military chaplain are pressing the Air Force to soften or drop its new restrictions on public prayers and evangelizing in the armed forces. The Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family and other Christian advocacy groups have deluged the White House and Pentagon with thousands of phone calls, letters and e-mails denouncing the Air Force guidelines as an infringement of religious freedom.

The guidelines are worded as recommendations rather than as hard-and-fast rules. They urge commanders to be "sensitive" about discussing their faith with subordinates. One of the main complaints from evangelical groups and members of Congress is that the guidelines could stop Christian chaplains from praying in the name of Jesus at public events.

The guidelines say that "public prayer should not usually be included in official settings" such as staff meetings, classes and sports events, but that "a brief non-sectarian prayer" may be included in events of "special importance." Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff, a retired Navy chaplain who helped write the guidelines, said they do not restrict the prayers that may be said in base chapels or voluntary worship services.