The Navy has rejected a secular humanist's application to serve in the Navy Chaplain Corps., Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) said in a prepared statement.

"The very definition of the chaplaincy was at stake here, so I am relieved to see the Navy's response," Lamborn said. "Appointing a secular-humanist or atheist chaplain would have gone against everything the chaplaincy was created to do."

More than 40 members of Congress signed a letter urging the Navy to deny the appointment of Dr. Jason Heap to serve as a non-religious chaplain.

"The installment of an atheist chaplain would inevitably open the door to a host of chaplains representing many other philosophical worldviews, thus eroding the distinct religious function of the chaplain corps to the detriment of service members," Lamborn said.

Lamborn praised the Navy's decision.

"I applaud the Navy for upholding a traditional definition of the chaplaincy, which has been repeatedly confirmed by Congress and the DOD," he wrote.

Hemant Mehta, known as the Friendly Atheist, pointed out that humanism is listed on the Department of Defense's list of faith and belief groups.

"As far as the military is concerned, Humanism is a religion," he wrote on his Patheos blog. "The Navy screwed up. Hell, the entire U.S. military has screwed up, refusing to appoint a single Humanist chaplain. It shouldn't take this long to fix such a simple problem, but that's what happens when you take advice from Republicans with a Christian agenda."

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) pointed out the chaplain corps is a religious institution that should ascribe to the religious needs of men and women in uniform.

"The chaplaincy is older than our country and was instituted by General Washington to meet the religious needs of his troops," she said. "This historic institution serves a vital purpose for today's service members, ensuring the free exercise of religion for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. I am pleased to hear that Navy has upheld the integrity of the chaplaincy."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Israelis Remember Hostages, Fallen Soldiers, Terror Victims as Passover Begins

She Survived a Death Camp. Facing Biden DOJ Charges, She Is Prepared to Die in Prison

Planned Parenthood Committed 392,712 Abortions, Received $699.3 Million in Taxpayer Funding in 2023

Student Loan Forgiveness: Morally Reprehensible and Legally Invalid

Columbia Classes Go Virtual Before Passover Amid Protests

Hundreds Accept Jesus Christ in Poland at Franklin Graham Rally

Grammy-Winning Christian Artist Mandisa Has Died: Report

How You Can Send Letters of Encouragement to Jailed Pro-Life Heroes

'Americans Cannot Allow the Biden Administration to Sign Away Their Birthright': Congressmen Warn of WHO Pandemic Agreement

Illegal Immigrants Being Moved into Soldiers' Home Where Veterans Must Pay to Stay

House Democrats Vow to Codify 'Rights' to Trans Surgeries, Hormones, Puberty Blockers

18-Year-Old Female Trans Student Charged for Planning Two Maryland School Shootings, Manifesto Said She Wanted to Be 'Famous'

Israel Strikes Deep Inside Iran, Nuclear Facilities NOT Hit

An Important Message from Japan to the world about the WHO, Japan and the Next So-called 'Vaccine'

Rand Paul: Brave Marine Revealed that 15 US Agencies Knew COVID-19 Was Created in Lab in 2018; But They Kept It Secret from American Public (VIDEO)

Confirmed: Researchers Reveal COVID mRNA Vaccines Contain Component that Suppresses Immune Response and Stimulates Cancer Growth

Farmers, Truckers Warn California Emissions Mandates Will Cause 'Catastrophic' Supply Chain Crisis

Fed Court Overturns State Law Protecting Women's Sports from 'Transgender' Athletes

Furry Infestation: Middle School Students Walk Out in Protest after School Leaders Allow 'Furries' to Terrorize Them (VIDEO)

Biden's Education Secretary Vows to Shut Down the Largest Christian University in the US