Earlier this week, First Liberty Institute sent a letter to the Carlsbad (CA) City Council urging them to revoke the recent order by the city manager that forbids police chaplain JC Cooper and fire chaplain Denny Cooper from concluding prayers at some events “in Jesus’ name.” The Coopers were told the prayers were a form of harassment.
You can read the letter here.
“The City Council should follow the Supreme Court’s clear statements with respect to prayers such as the Chaplains’ and allow them to pray according to their sincere religious beliefs,” said Kayla Toney, Counsel for First Liberty.
JC Cooper is a local pastor who has faithfully served as a volunteer chaplain for the Carlsbad Police Department for six years. His father, Denny Cooper, has served as the volunteer chaplain for the Fire Department for 18 years. JC and Denny provide support, encouragement, and prayer to first responders as they face traumatic situations. When asked by the police chief to give the invocation at the Carlsbad Police Department Awards Ceremony, JC concluded his prayer, consistent with his long-held beliefs, “in Jesus’ name.” He was later told by the city manager that unless he removed “in Jesus’ name” from his invocation, he would be subject to discipline. He was then told that he could refer to any other name for God, just not “Jesus.”
The letter from First Liberty says, “The City Manager misunderstands the law concerning public chaplains and invocations, and we urge the City Council to revisit the decision to censor the Chaplains’ prayers. The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause does not require government “to purge from the public sphere anything an objective observer could reasonably infer endorses or partakes of the religious.” Kennedy v. Bremerton Sch. Dist., 597 U.S. 507, 534–35 (2022). In Kennedy, the Supreme Court overruled the long-criticized “endorsement” test established by Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971). Instead, “the Establishment Clause must be interpreted by reference to historical practices and understandings.” Kennedy, 142 S. Ct. at 2427–28 (cleaned up).”
First Liberty offered to assist the Carlsbad City Council in developing a constitutionally appropriate chaplain policy.
I am just a regular guy and heard this story and took action posting on my FB and encouraging others to send support to the Chaplains. Here is the letter I sent to city of Carlsbad, CA…I guess I should have included a P.S. In Jesus Name.
Subject: Support for JC and Denny Cooper and Concern Regarding City Manager’s Actions
Dear [City Council Members/Officials],
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent actions taken by the City Manager of Carlsbad, CA, regarding the religious freedoms of JC and Denny Cooper, who serve as chaplains for the Carlsbad Police and Fire Departments respectively.
The recent prohibition on these chaplains from praying “in Jesus’ name” during their duties is not only a violation of their constitutional rights but also a concerning overreach of governmental authority into matters of personal faith. As a member of the community, I firmly believe in upholding the principles of religious freedom and diversity that are fundamental to our nation’s values.
It is unacceptable that the City Manager has unilaterally imposed restrictions on the religious expression of these chaplains, particularly when their services have provided support, encouragement, and solace to our first responders for nearly two decades. By threatening disciplinary action against JC and Denny Cooper for simply praying according to their sincere religious beliefs, the City Manager has infringed upon their rights and undermined the important role of chaplains in our community.
I urge the City Council to take swift and decisive action to address this issue. It is imperative that the City Manager’s actions be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate disciplinary measures be taken. Such actions not only undermine the trust and respect of the community but also set a dangerous precedent for future encroachments on religious freedoms.
Furthermore, I strongly suggest that the City Manager be either disciplined or reassigned to a lower position within city government where he does not have the authority to inject his personal opinions on matters of religious freedom.
Although not a resident of Carlsbad, we in all cities/towns/states deserve leaders who uphold the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and respect for all faiths. I trust that the City Council will take the necessary steps to address this issue promptly and ensure that the religious freedoms of JC and Denny Cooper, as well as all members of our community, are protected.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Al Pooser