The Virginia State Police Department now joins Saudi Arabia as one more place where the name of Jesus cannot be honored in an official ceremony. Six of the 17 police chaplains in the Virginia State Police have resigned in protest over a new directive from Superintendent Steven Flaherty that bans the use of "Jesus" or "Christ" in prayers at such functions as trooper graduation ceremonies and the annual memorial service for fallen officers. Flaherty singled out the name of Jesus for censorship because he wants to be "inclusive and respectful of the varied ethnicities, cultures and beliefs of our employees." However, it's apparent that his definition of "inclusive" extends only to those who are offended by the exercise of First Amendment rights. The superintendent is bowing to the pressure of liberal groups such as the ACLU who believe that our Constitutional rights of freedom of speech and religion are trumped by the "right" not to be offended. I applaud these six chaplains for their courageous stand to defend their right to pray according to their conscience.
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