First Liberty Institute Defends Chaplains’ Right to Pray in Jesus’ Name
The First Liberty Institute, a prominent legal organization dedicated to defending religious freedom, has formally requested the Carlsbad City Council to rescind a recent order prohibiting city fire and police chaplains from praying in the name of Jesus. This plea follows a directive from City Manager Scott Chadwick that barred longtime fire chaplain Denny Cooper and police chaplain JC Cooper from including references to Jesus in their prayers.
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In a letter to the City Council, First Liberty emphasized the potential violation of religious freedoms protected under the First Amendment. They referenced several landmark Supreme Court cases that affirm the right to religious expression in public settings, including Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which upheld a public school football coach’s right to pray on the field after games.
Invoking Jesus’s name at public prayer
The story began on March 13, 2024, when JC Cooper prayed at the Carlsbad Police Department Awards Ceremony, invoking Jesus’ name at the request of the police chief. Following the event, a city council member reportedly expressed offense at the prayer’s conclusion, leading to the City Manager’s decision to impose the restriction.
On April 9, Fire Chief Mike Calderwood informed Denny Cooper of the new mandate, and on April 10, Police Chief Christie Calderwood communicated the same to JC Cooper. Both chiefs expressed support for the chaplains but felt obligated to follow the city directive. JC Cooper, citing his religious convictions, declined to alter his prayers and subsequently refused to deliver the invocation at a police promotions ceremony.
During an April 25 call with JC Cooper and the police chief, City Manager Chadwick argued that invoking Jesus’ name constituted harassment and created a hostile work environment, lifting one religion above others. Chadwick suggested that the chaplains use alternative names or terms for God, but not “Jesus.”
Challenge by First Liberty
First Liberty’s letter challenges this interpretation, arguing that the City Manager’s stance misrepresents legal precedents regarding public prayer and chaplaincy programs. The organization cited historical practices and Supreme Court decisions that support the inclusion of specific religious references in public prayers. They highlighted cases such as Marsh v. Chambers and Town of Greece v. Galloway, which uphold the constitutionality of legislative prayers that reflect individual chaplains’ faith traditions.
The letter also contended that the potential for offense should not lead to the suppression of religious expression, referencing the Supreme Court’s rejection of a “modified heckler’s veto” in matters of religious activity.
First Liberty urged the City Council to align with Supreme Court guidelines and allow the chaplains to pray in accordance with their beliefs. The institute offered to assist the city pro bono in developing a constitutionally sound chaplain policy.
The Carlsbad City Council is expected to address the matter in their upcoming meetings, as the debate over the intersection of religious freedom and public service continues to unfold.
