Air Force Withdraws Code Permitting Limited Proselytizing By Chaplains

The Washington Post reported yesterday that the Air Force has withdrawn "for further review" a code of ethics for Air Force chaplains that endorses the practice of evangelizing service members who are not affiliated with any specific religion. That code is separate from the Covenant and Code of Ethics for Chaplains of the Armed Forces, drafted by the private National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces. The NCMAF Code contains a similar provision: "I will not proselytize from other religious bodies, but I retain the right to evangelize those who are not affiliated." The Air Force action comes shortly after the filing of a law suit by a Jewish Air Force Academy graduate, a parent of a current cadet, who claims that officers and cadets impose Christianity on others at the Academy. (See prior posting.)