The issue had split the lower courts. An appeals court in #Florida found a set of similar local laws restricting #therapy in the #state was unconstitutional. A divided panel of the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit sided with #Colorado, finding that talk therapy provided by a #MentalHealth professional is a #medical treatment that can be #regulated as part of the state licensure process.

#SCOTUS #law #identity #LGBTQ #ConversionTherapy #Christianity #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation

In general, the #FirstAmendment prevents the government from restricting #speech because it dislikes the content or message. But #SCOTUS has said certain restrictions aimed at governing a person’s conduct are permissible even if they incidentally burden speech. [if those restrictions adhere to the justices’ own ideologies.]

#SCOTUS #Christianity #Colorado #law #MentalHealth #SexualOrientation #gender #identity #LGBTQ #ConversionTherapy #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR

“I don’t approve of cramming your #religious faith down people’s throats, & when the top of the chain couches these operations in this hyper-#Christian tone, it flies in the face of the #FreedomOfReligion that the #Constitution enshrines & that our men & women in uniform sign up to defend.”

#law #Trump #Hegseth #Republicans #Constitution #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #military #war #NationalSecurity #geopolitics #USpol

“The Secretary’s prayer services undoubtedly improve morale for those who choose to attend & are constitutionally protected. No special treatment or punishment is given as a result of one’s choice to attend these prayer services.” [sure, Jan.]

#law #Trump #Hegseth #Republicans #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Christianity #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #military #war #NationalSecurity #geopolitics

Ret Army Maj Gen Randy Manner, who was second-in-command at the #NationalGuard 2011–2012, has worked in recent years to train hundreds of #interfaith #military #chaplains. Manner said he has talked with “dozens & dozens” of active-duty chaplains in recent weeks who say those who don’t identify with #Hegseth “are being marginalized.”

#law #Trump #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Christianity #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #war #NationalSecurity

The Pentagon’s shift from previous historical norms is dangerous, according to multiple former high-ranking #military officials, heads of #chaplain corps, some #veterans groups, current #Pentagon staff & current officers, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution from the #Trump admin.

#law #Hegseth #Republicans #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Christianity #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #war #NationalSecurity #geopolitics

His social media profile & public comments routinely espouse *his* understanding of #Christianity, which is one that would dominate American life & cast those who disagree with him as God’s enemies. #Hegseth has brought clergy from his small Christian denomination to preach at the #Pentagon, including a prominent pastor who says #women shouldn’t have the right to #vote.

#law #Trump #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #military #war #NationalSecurity

Rather than boosting cohesion through a more universal spiritual uplift, they say, the new approach violates the #Constitution & undermines the bonds of mutual #respect between #troops that are essential, especially in #wartime.

Every month at the #Pentagon, #Hegseth hosts #evangelical worship services that #legal experts say are unprecedented.

#law #Trump #Republicans #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Christianity #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #military #war #NationalSecurity #geopolitics

And as chair of the #JointChiefs of Staff in the late 2000s, with #troops in Iraq & Afghanistan, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen kept Mass off his public schedule, aiming to keep the particulars of his Catholic faith private.

But those longtime norms are being upended by the #proselytizing #Christian campaign of #Defense Sec Pete #Hegseth, say multiple former high-ranking #military officials & experts on #religion & #law.

#law #Trump #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #war