Navy Chaplain Ends Protest Fast

The Washington Post reported yesterday that Navy Chaplain James Klingenschmitt ended his 18-day hunger strike in front of the White House in protest of what he said were Navy restrictions on his preaching Christianity. A Navy spokesman said that chaplains are free to pray as they wish in any military chapel or worship service. But in other settings that are essentially secular in nature, such as a retirement or memorial ceremony attended by personnel of many faiths, they are asked to offer nonsectarian prayers. At one point, Klingenschmitt was told he could not wear his Navy uniform during the hunger strike. Klingenschmitt vowed that he would not eat "until the president gives me back my uniform and let's me pray in the name of Jesus." Ultimately he was permitted to wear if he was conducting a bona fide worship service in front of the White House. He broke his fast with a communion wafer. [Thanks to Blog from the Capital for the information.]