California city accused of banning chaplains from praying in Jesus’ name

May 31, 2024

A California city has been accused of violating the religious freedom of two chaplains who were ordered to stop praying in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Christian Post reports that the First Liberty Institute sent a complaint letter to the Carlsbad city council on behalf of fire chaplain Denny Cooper and police chaplain J.C. Cooper. The chaplains were allegedly ordered to stop praying in Jesus’ name by Carlsbad city manager Scott Chadwick.

The letter from the First Liberty Institute (FLI) states: “Because the chaplains cannot in good conscience erase the name of Jesus from their prayers, this order deprives first responders of the solace and spiritual strength that the Chaplains’ volunteer ministry has provided for nearly two decades.”

“Therefore, we urge the City Council to return to its longstanding practice of inviting the Chaplains to pray freely in accordance with their sincere religious beliefs.”

FLI Counsel Kayla Toney, who wrote the letter, told the Christian Post, “This is not a true or accurate understanding of the law, which has always protected the prayers and expressions of religious Americans,” she said. “Ironically, the city manager’s order has created a hostile environment for the Chaplains and many other people of faith living in Carlsbad.”

The Christian Post reports that it reached out to city officials regarding the letter but had not received a response at the time the story was published.

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