Coast Guard Chaplains’ Memo Includes Invasive Questions for Religious Exemption Requesters

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Logo

A recent Department of Defense (DoD) memorandum to U.S. Coast Guard chaplains includes multiple highly invasive questions about the sincerity of the faith and practice of Guardsmen seeking religious exemptions from the military branch’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

“Have the member describe how they consistently keep the tenets of their faith and demonstrate those in their daily life. Ask them to be as specific as possible,” the memo directs the chaplains to ask of exemption-seekers.

“Put the specifics acts (or lack thereof) in the memo.”

The referenced memo is a record that the chaplains are required to create of their interviews with requesters. A copy of the questions section of the memo was made available to The Epoch Times, which verified that it’s a Department of Defense product authored by “Lee, Amanda M CDR.”

A civil liberties attorney told The Epoch Times such questions aren’t legal.

“Almost none of the questions in that memo are appropriate, although some are certainly more inflammatory and offensive than others. The only obligation the service member has is to establish that they have a sincerely held religious belief that is being substantially burdened by the government,” First Liberty Institute General Counsel Mike Berry told The Epoch Times on Sept. 23.

“Once they show that, the burden shifts entirely to the government.  The government has no authority and no legitimate basis to ask the sorts of questions that are in the memo, and it demonstrates overt hostility to religious beliefs.”

The Plano, Texas-based First Liberty Institute specializes in First Amendment and religious liberty litigation.

The memo also warns the chaplains to be wary of Guardsmen who may be abusing the exemption process.

“It is important to provide context in the memo discussing the member’s belief. If they come to the meeting and begin by discussing concerns about safety, politics, etc., note that in the memo,” the DoD memo reads.

By Mark Tapscott

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

Hold Up, Feds, Without Federalism, There Is No USA

Federalism is essential to governing the U.S., yet the federal government is undermining it by bribing states to implement unnecessary federal programs.

A Widow Inspires The World

Erika Kirk moved the nation with her speech two days after her husband’s assassination, vowing to continue his mission and grow Turning Point USA.

Both Left and Right Are Making Lists

The right admired Charlie Kirk for his faith and patriotism, while the left opposed him for dismantling their positions and narratives with ease.

Redemption’s playbook: The Senior

The Senior isn’t your usual underdog tale, it’s real, it’s raw, and it flips every cliché on its head with a playbook full of grit and plenty of aftermaths.

Actor Sean Astin, Known for ‘Rudy,’ ‘Lord of the Rings,’ Elected SAG-AFTRA President

Oscar-nominated actor Sean Astin, famed for Samwise in “Lord of the Rings,” has been elected as the new president of SAG-AFTRA.

RFK Jr. Names New Members to CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named 5 new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the CDC on vaccines.

Thousands Honor Charlie Kirk at DC Prayer Vigil

Thousands of people came together to remember Charlie Kirk and offer tearful tributes at the John F. Kennedy Center on Sunday.

Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Under ‘Special Watch’ in Custody: Sheriff’s Office

Suspected assassin of Charlie Kirk is on “special watch” in custody and held separately, the Utah Sheriff’s Office spokesperson confirmed.

Trump Signs Memo Targeting Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

President Trump signed a memo to ensure drug ads give fair, balanced, and complete information to protect and inform American consumers.

Trump Runs out of Patience With China, Sharpens His Words

President Donald Trump’s recent remarks targeting China and its allies mark a noticeable shift in tone.

Trump Signs Order Renaming Department of Defense as Department of War

President Donald Trump on Sept. 5 signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War.

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Countries That Unlawfully Detain Americans

President Trump signed an EO on targeting the unlawful detention of American citizens around the world and to facilitate the release of hostages.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central