WASHINGTON, D.C. (WordNews.org) July 7, 2020 — The head of the American Family Association says the U.S. Navy is “thumbing its nose at President Trump” and his declaration that houses of worship are “essential places that provide essential services,” and has banned all Navy personnel, including chaplains, from attending in-house church services.

The AFA said the directive does, however, specifically approve other places where large numbers of people gather, including unlimited social gatherings, mass transportation and long lines at the post office.

“It’s ridiculous to consider the U.S. Navy issuing an order that says gathering for worship is banned, but gathering for a protest is OK,” said Abraham Hamilton III, general counsel for American Family Association. “Though President Trump has declared churches are essential, our Navy has threatened to court-marital service members if they agree with the president and attend indoor church services. We have entered upside-down land.”

According to First Liberty, at least one Air Force officer assigned to a Navy command has retained legal counsel and is demanding the Navy grant “religious accommodation to attend in-person religious services at his off-base church.”

Brave military service members should never lose the very freedoms they risk their lives defending, including liberty to live out their faith by attending a religious service, AFA said.

The AFA is urging citizens to email President Trump, urging him to use his authority to order the leadership of the Navy to rescind immediately any portion of the directive that restricts or prohibits any member of the military from attending worship services.