What is happening to religious liberty in the military?

Attorney Michael Berry

This week we’ll be discussing the challenges to religious liberty in the U. S. Military. In recent weeks and years we’ve seen at least two military chaplains – the Army’s Joe Lawhorn and Navy’s Wes Moldder – disciplined or court marshaled for the content of their religious messages.  Additionally, a young Marine lance corporal was recently court marshaled when she had a bible verse posed in her cubical and at least one national cemetery (Houston) has either banned reference to God during military funerals or required prayers be submitted in advance.

Returning to FOT to discuss these matters with Deacon Mike Manno and Gina Noll will be Michael Berry, senior counsel and director of military affairs for Liberty Institute. He joined Liberty Institute in 2013 after serving for seven years as an attorney with the U.S. Marine Corps. From 2009 until 2013, Mr. Berry served as an appellate litigator, arguing numerous cases before various federal appeals courts.  In 2008, Mr. Berry was selected for a high-profile combat deployment to Afghanistan with a Marine Corps infantry battalion. From 2009 - 2012, Mr. Berry served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the United States Naval Academy.

Senator Rand Paul R-KY

As Director of Military Affairs for Liberty Institute, Mr. Berry’s practice focuses on religious liberty within the armed forces. A recognized subject-matter expert, Mr. Berry has testified before Congress on matters affecting religious liberty in the armed forces and is routinely invited to speak before audiences across the nation about matters affecting religious freedom within the military. 

In addition, we Gina will have her next installment on the religious liberty views of the presidential candidates with Josh Mercer of CatholicVote.org. This week she’ll look at what religious liberty might look like in a Rand Paul Administration.

So join Deacon Mike and Gina for a lively discussion this and every Tuesday at 9 (live) & 9 (rebroadcast) – CDT – on Iowa Catholic Radio 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com. 

FOT is underwritten by our loyal sponsors: Attorney Rick McConville, Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, 515-453-1055; Confluence Brewing Company, off the Bike Trail just south of Grey’s Lake, 1235 Thomas Beck Road; and Financial Planner Rob denHartog, Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual Life, NW corner of 128^th Stret and Hickman Road, 515-210-4472.