Journal: Global Journal of Classical Theology
Volume: GJCT 09:3 (Feb 2012)
Article: Evangelical Chaplains, Ceremonial Deism, And The Establishment Clause
Author: John D. Laing

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Evangelical Chaplains, Ceremonial Deism, And The Establishment Clause

John D. Laing1

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Introduction

Several instances exist in which political and military leaders encouraged the reading of Scripture in order to spur members of the armed forces to be both morally upright individuals and better warriors. The wedding of Scripture with service to country is a theme found throughout America’s history, and has led some cultural critics to charge that America has always had a sort of politicized religion, where honor to God is important, so long as it supports the agenda and ethos of the State.

Former Navy Chaplain (Lieutenant) Gordon Klingenschmitt, well known for supposedly being court-martialed for praying in Jesus’ name, has argued that Unitarian Universalism is actually the official religion of the U. S. government.2 Elsewhere, I have questioned Klingenschmitt’s claims with regard to the specifics [Unitarian Universalism is not the government-endorsed religion of the U.S.], but I also think we should not be too quick to dismiss the general claim that there is a government-sponsored religion.3

Many candidates for the government-sponsored religion have been proposed in addition to Klingenschmitt’s claim of Unitarian Universalism. For example, Noonan argues that the United States government, through its Establishment Clause jurisprudence, has actually made military service, paying taxes, and the judiciary sacred,4 though other, more viable candidates exist. Perhaps the most serious and plausible is ceremonial deism, since it actually serves as the legal basis for the constitutionality of instances where religion and government mix. That is, religious speech at government-sponsored events, religious symbols on government-owned property, or religious practices led by government employees functioning in their official capacity, are deemed constitutional because they are thought to be cases of ceremonial deism. Of course, the applicability to the question of allowing sectarian prayers (e.g., “In Jesus’ Name”) by military chaplains at official events and ceremonies should be obvious. Such prayers are typically justified by an appeal to ceremonial deism.

“Ceremonial Deism” is the legal term used to describe activity (primarily speech) that, “though religious in nature has a secular purpose and hence is constitutional.”5 The term originates with Eugene Rostow, then Dean of the Yale Law School, who expl...

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