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Air Date: March 12, 2015
Host: Jim Schneider
Guest: Michael Berry
Michael Berry is Senior Counsel and Director of Military Affairs for Liberty Institute. He joined Liberty Institute in 2013 after serving for seven years as an attorney with the U.S. Marine Corp. From 2009 until 2013, Mr. Berry served as an appellate litigator, arguing numerous cases before various federal appeals courts. From 2009 to 2012, he served as an adjunct professor of law at the United States Naval Academy. As Director of Military Affairs for Liberty Institute, Mr. Berry’s practice focuses on religious liberty within the armed forces. As a recognized subject-matter expert, he has testified before Congress on matters affecting religious liberty in the armed forces.
Wes Modder has been a Navy Chaplain for 15 years. Prior to that he was in the Marine Corps with a combined total of about 19-1/2 years of service and he is eligible for retirement in September of this year.
Less than 1% of chaplains earn the distinction of being able to serve with our special forces unit and Chaplain Modder did just that. He was the force chaplain for Naval Special Warfare Command. That command oversees our Navy Seal teams so deployment overseas for Seal support is involved. He was also the chaplain for the Naval Special Warfare Center where recruits go to become Seals. He’s been called a national asset, the best of the best, a consummate professional and praised for his sound judgment from a ‘who’s who’ list of Navy personnel.
According to Michael, sailors would come to Chaplain Modder in private, confidential, pastoral counseling sessions and ask the chaplain questions regarding his faith. His honest answers were handed over to the Navy culminating in a December 6th visit by one of his young officers and two equal opportunity officers. The officers basically accused Chaplain Modder of not being politically correct citing biblical views that they believe are offensive and he was threatened with being kicked out of the Navy.
Michael shares some insight into the chaplain’s answers regarding faith, family and morality that brought about the current charges and listeners added differing opinions as well on this critical edition of Crosstalk.
More Information
Listeners can use the following numbers to communicate with elected officials on behalf of Chaplain Modder:
Senators—202-224-3121
Congressmen—202-225-3121
U.S. Navy
800-872-6289
