Pentecostal Chaplain’s Religious Accommodation Request Denied

I know this may flabbergast some folks but it seems the Chaplain wanted accommodation for his views at the same time he disregarded the servicemembers going to him for help.

This has been a huge issue in all branches as more and more servicemembers were seeking help from some Chaplains only to be told they were going to hell or that their suffering was judgement of their sins. Yep~ So a young Soldier, Marine or Sailor or Airman would be dealing with PTSD and moral injury, then walk away feeling even worse.

If you think that's bad, try working with them on their spiritual need after they had been put through hell by a Chaplain.

To all the great military Chaplains out there, and there are many, this makes me appreciate all of you even more!

Commander denies Pentecostal chaplain’s religious accommodation request
Stars and Stripes
By Jon Harper
Published: March 18, 2015

Congressional law and Defense Department regulations require the military to accommodate the religious beliefs of servicemembers to the extent practical and prohibits the military from taking disciplinary action against servicemembers or chaplains for expressing their religious views unless their actions and speech threaten “good order and discipline.”

On Monday, Fahs sent a memorandum to Modder denying his request for religious accommodation, arguing that the chaplain violated Navy regulations.

“In your case, I find that your ability to express your religious beliefs during pastoral counseling has not been restricted or substantially burdened,” Fahs said. “The decision to relieve you from your duties is based on your failure to uphold … the professional standards of conduct and the guiding principles of the Chaplain Corps.”

WASHINGTON — The commander of Naval Nuclear Power Training Command has denied a religious accommodation request by a Pentecostal chaplain who was removed from his post for allegedly making inappropriate comments to sailors and being “intolerant” of those who don’t share his religious views.

Last month, NNPTC commander Capt. Jon Fahs requested that Navy chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Wesley Modder be “detached for cause.” Fahs also recommended Modder be denied promotion and made to show cause for retention in the Navy.

Modder, a member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God denomination, has been removed from his post at NNPTC and temporarily reassigned to Naval Support Activity Charleston as a staff chaplain while Navy Personnel Command reviews Fahs’ recommendations.
read more here Linked from Military.com