Prison chaplains exist to bring spiritual hope and moral reform to prisoners who voluntarily attend Christian worship services. So what should happen when a morally unreformed prisoner, a practicing homosexual, wants to lead the worship music band and choir, but is told by the chaplain that it would be contradicting the Bible to permit worship to be led by someone who expressly rejects God’s authority over a very public, immoral practice in his life?
Is the chaplain’s religious expression protected under the First Amendment?
The State’s interest in supporting religious expression is trumped by the State’s interest in avoiding lawsuits charging sexual orientation discrimination.
State Theology 101: God be damned! This is a state religion. Let the gay man lead worship, and shut up about it, Chaplain.
Akridge v. Wilkinson (6th Cir. 2006, Ohio)(6th Cir. 2006, Ohio)
(6th Cir. 2006, Ohio)
