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Rep. Jones said more than 70 members of Congress have been pressuring President Bush to issue an executive order allowing chaplains to pray according to their faith. Jones said, "If he can send our kids to die, he can certainly protect the chaplains' First Amendment rights."

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In addition to the guidelines, the Air Force has a press release and explanatory memo.

More about Gordon Klingenschmitt's hunger strike is available from Stars & Stripes.

News elsewhere includes:

Air Force Eases Rules on Religion | New guidelines reflect evangelicals' criticism, general says (The Washington Post, February 10, 2006)

Air Force sets revised rules for prayers by its chaplains | The Air Force yesterday released revised guidelines on religious observance that say chaplains need not recite prayers incompatible with their beliefs, but that also encourage "non-denominational" or "inclusive" prayer in public situations. (The Washington Times, February 10, 2006)

Previous Christianity Today coverage of military chaplains includes:

Air Force Issues Revised Guidelines on Religion | Interpretation varies on what one-page "interim" document means. (Feb. 9, 2006)

New Air Force Religion Guidelines May Restrict Evangelism | Policy allowing chaplains "to instruct and/or evangelize" withdrawn, lawsuit seeks explicit ban on all members (Oct. 28, 2006)

A Wing and Less Prayer | New Air Force religion guidelines get mixed response. (Oct. 6, 2005)

'No Overt Discrimination' | Air Force Academy cleared, but some faulted for insensitivity. (July 7, 2005)

Air Force Chaplains Allege Bias | Independent survey finds perceptions of racial, gender, and religious discrimination. (Oct. 18, 2001)

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April 2006, Vol. 50, No. 4