Chaplains Praise VA for Revising Policies

A group of chaplains is applauding the Department of Veterans Affairs for revising its religious liberty policy.

The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty has been on the frontlines of the battle to protect the religious liberties of service members, including chaplains, who have recently been coming under attack for expressing their faith at VA facilities.

The VA's updated policy allows outside groups and individuals to sing religious songs during holidays on VA property.  

The policy guidance states, "Once the director authorizes holiday singing in a designated location, VA must remain neutral regarding the views expressed by the group or individual generally or in its holiday songs."

The policy guidance also clarifies that church groups may sing Christmas carols, and the VA cannot restrict the religious content of songs.

"The policy also allows Veteran Service Organizations to set up displays with religious items on VA property. For example, the VA must remain neutral regarding the use of any religious item, such as a Bible, in a display recognizing prisoners of war or those missing in action," the statement read.

Ret. Chaplain Col. Ron Crews, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, responded Wednesday to the VA's action.

"No one should try to water down Christmas for our veterans just because they object to any religious references or items. I am most grateful that the VA has clarified their policy prior to the upcoming holidays," Crews said.

CBN News has been following stories involving the VA infringing on the religious liberties of chaplains.

In April several Christian groups opposed the removal of Bibles from VA clinics by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. The Bibles had been placed in federal properties as part of the "Missing Man" displays meant to pay tribute to prisoners of war and American soldiers missing in action.

The Conservative Baptist Association of America filed suit in 2013 against the Secretary of Veterans Affairs over harassment of its chaplains.

Also in 2013, Christmas cards for vets made by a group of Texas students were refused by a Veterans Affairs hospital in Dallas.

"This should make clear that churches may sing Christmas carols and distribute Christmas cards at VA hospitals," Crews said.

"Further, veteran organizations may set up MIA/POW tables that include a sacred text. The guidelines state that hospital administrators may allow this and provide reasonable guidance as to where displays may be set up and where and how long a church choir may sing. Further, this new policy should put a stop to those organizations that complain without basis about any mention of faith in VA facilities."

Chaplain Alliance says "that all chaplains and those they serve should be able to freely exercise their God-given and constitutionally protected religious liberties without fear of reprisal."