Military Critic Sues Former Chaplain Alleging Threats

Today's Dallas Morning News reports on a lawsuit filed by Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, against former Navy chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, Jim Ammerman and Ammerman's Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches. Weinstein says that they are conspiring to encourage violence against him. The complaint (full text) in Weinstein v. Ammerman, (Dallas Co. TX Dist. Ct., filed 9/23/2009), alleges that Klingenschmitt, on behalf of Ammerman and CFGC, is using "imprecatory prayers" -- Biblical code-- to urge his followers to commit acts of violence against Weinstein. It claims that CFGC "is a front for anti-government extremists" who fear the U.S. is planning to turn its sovereignty over to the United Nations. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction, alleging violation of Texas Penal Code Sec. 22.07 that bans terroristic threats, and also alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress.