Chaplains Oppose Military Chaplains Modernization Act

Active and retired military chaplains gathered at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth to push back against proposed federal legislation.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Military

Chaplains Oppose Military Chaplains Modernization Act

Live Poll

Should military chaplains be allowed to act on their own religious beliefs?

Zachary Moon, director of chaplaincy studies at Brite Divinity School, organized an Oct. 20 gathering of active and retired military chaplains who oppose the Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026. The attendees were taught to write editorials, lobby and write letters to lawmakers.

Why it matters

The proposed act would allow chaplains to perform duties consistent with their religious beliefs and protect them from punishment for refusing tasks that conflict with those beliefs. Some religious organizations and lawmakers see it as protecting chaplains' religious liberties, while opponents in Fort Worth worry it could affect how commanding officers assign chaplains to units.

The proposal's provisions are set out in the bill text introduced in Congress, with House and Senate versions sponsored separately. Its final form and passage remain unknown.

The players

Zachary Moon

Moon is director of chaplaincy studies at Brite Divinity School and organized the gathering of chaplains opposing the act.

Keith Self

Self is a U.S. Representative from North Texas who introduced and sponsored the bill in the House.

James Lankford

Lankford is a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma who introduced the bill in the Senate.

The details

The act would give chaplains the right to conduct public worship, counseling, teaching, sermons, advising, ministry and prayer, and bar military officials from directing chaplains to perform tasks against their personal religious beliefs. Moon said the gathering aimed to equip chaplains to make their case to lawmakers.

Oct. 20: Moon organized the gathering of chaplains at Brite Divinity School.
May: U.S. Rep. Keith Self introduced the bill in the House.
August: U.S. Sen. James Lankford introduced the bill in the Senate.

Big Picture

The debate follows the 2010 repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," as military policy continues to define how personal beliefs of service members are accommodated.

If the act passes, chaplains could decline assigned tasks conflicting with their religious beliefs without facing punishment. Commanding officers may change how they assign chaplains to units.

The takeaway

The proposal would reshape how military chaplains balance their religious duties with orders from commanders. Its outcome will determine how those protections apply in practice.