APPENDIX D
CHAPLAIN'S STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF HIS PROPOSED SBC RESOLUTION

With great reluctance I bring to your attention what I consider a grave danger to religious liberty. I ask that you consider me a witness, and my testimony as evidence…. I have an earned Doctor of Theology degree…. It has long been my conviction that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance entrusted by Christ to the authority of the local church and not to be observed apart from a New Testament church. I WOULD NOT LIFT MY LITTLE FINGER TO REQUIRE ANYONE ELSE TO BELIEVE THIS WAY. I respect those who believe differently.

(In a certain situation) I arranged for a Reserve chaplain, who came periodically to (our installation) anyway, to serve the monthly communion in the chapel. But the commander asked for my replacement because I would not personally serve it. I have written proof of this, signed by the Deputy Commander, now retired. As the regulations forbid a commander to interfere in chaplaincy matters of doctrine or ritual, I asked the Chief of Chaplains to support me; but he would not …. With the acquiescence of the Office of Chief of Chaplains a Southern Baptist chaplain was removed from an influential position because of a religious conviction which he ought to have been allowed to keep without penalty.

I have discussed the matter at length with the Director of the Chaplains Commission of the Home Mission Board and have met with the Commission. As far as I can tell the Director does not intend to make any protest in this matter.

Another evidence of discrimination I have in my possession is a letter from a chaplain who was my superior … in which he states that he had downgraded my Effectiveness Report because of "… your outspoken condemnation of the Unified Curriculum …" He is referring to a letter I wrote to the Chief of Chaplains in which I stated:

I recommend that the reference to the Unified Protestant Sunday School Curriculum in (the regulation) be changed so that the texts are NOT referred to as "official curricula." I further recommend that the use of these texts be encouraged but NOT required by the regulation.