10/03/2026
Some are calling it "a secular gag order."
CIU Professor of Chaplaincy Dr. Mike Langston is weighing in after Canadian Armed Forces released a new policy banning military chaplains from praying or mentioning God at public events.
World magazine reported on Sept. 3 that the policy tells chaplains to offer "inclusive" spiritual reflections — with no religion-specific language.
The policy goes further. Canadian service members who speak publicly are expected to stay religiously neutral — no words, actions or symbols tied to any specific faith tradition.
Langston says this puts Canadian Christian chaplains in a troubling situation.
"I can only imagine what they're going through, understanding who they are as men and women of faith, and having their hands tied to not be able to proclaim the gospel," said Langston, a retired U.S. Navy chaplain with 36 years of military service who also served as the commanding officer of the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina.
Langston served alongside Canadian chaplains during his career.
"We've worked together in many different operations around the world, especially when we've had joint forces with NATO and other involvements where Canadian forces have been called upon," Langston said.
Could this happen in the United States?
"In the United States, there is a very hard rule that chaplains are free to practice their faith," Langston said in an interview in his office surrounded by U.S. Navy memorabilia. "Matter of fact, they are invited into the military with an understanding that they're going to practice their faith from their denominational perspective. So, in the U.S. we have complete freedom of religion and the chaplain literally becomes the protector of religious freedom in government settings."
Langston adds that chaplains hired by any government agency such as the FBI or the State Department have that complete freedom, as well as a unique responsibility.
"If there's something that I can't provide (an individual) by my faith, then I have a responsibility to refer them to another chaplain or religious leader that can help meet that religious need."
While the religious freedom of American chaplains is protected by settled law backed by the U.S. Supreme Court, Langston describes how he prays in a public venue as a Christian chaplain:
"When I'm doing public prayer, I'll invite people to pray in the form and manner of their tradition as I lead this prayer in the form and manner of my tradition. And many times I'll pray in the name of Christ my Lord or in the name of Jesus … which is a very Christocentric prayer. No one has ever challenged me."
And when it comes to evangelism, he listens carefully to others when they discuss faith or their personal religious views.
"When they do that with me, that's an invitation for me to come into the holy places of their life and to talk about faith."
Meanwhile, in Canada, Bruce Clemenger, a member of the Interfaith Committee for Canadian Military Chaplaincy, noted the irony in the new Canadian policy:
"They can't even mention God in their remarks," Clemenger told World. "But our national anthem includes references to God."
Chaplains are probably most noted for praying for others. But Langston encourages prayers for chaplains wherever they serve, especially those in Canada trying to minister under the new policy.
"Pray for strength of purpose, and that God's guidance would be upon the chaplain and that the Holy Spirit would go before them and prepare the way for that chaplain to do the ministry that they were called to do."
