Contact: Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, www.PrayInJesusName.org, 719-360-5132, chaplaingate@yahoo.com

RICHMOND, Virginia, October 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, the event organizer for the November 1st State-Wide Prayer Rally outside the Virginia Governor's mansion, is celebrating a new court ruling by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which allows legislative Chaplains to pray publicly "in Jesus name," even in government forums.

The 11th circuit court authorized "sectarian" prayers at government hosted events, ruling in Pelphrey v. Cobb County, "We refuse to embark on a sensitive evaluation or to parse the content of a particular prayer...Whether invocations...are 'sectarian' is best left to theologians, not courts of law." This new ruling directly contradicts the 4th circuit court ruling in Turner v. Fredericksburg, which had banned the word "Jesus" as illegal speech.

"This ruling proves Virginia Governor Tim Kaine wrongly prohibits his state police chaplains from praying publicly 'in Jesus name,'" said Chaplain Klingenschmitt, "and his administration was wrong to force six chaplains to resign for the crime of praying 'sectarian' prayers in public. The Governor violated the chaplains' constitutional rights."

Since Governor Kaine rejected a request by 86 Virginia Pastors to reinstate the six heroic trooper chaplains who took a stand for Christ, many churches and pastors will join together at a prayer-rally this Saturday outside the Governor's mansion. The "Virginia, Stand Up For Jesus!" prayer rally is open to the public, on Saturday from 10-11am (arrive 9:30) at the Capitol Square Bell Tower (900 Bank Street), Richmond.

All reporters and media are invited to cover the big crowds expected at the Saturday rally. Event speakers include Mat Staver, Rick Scarborough, Gerald Glenn, Darryl Husband, Bill Carrico, Victor Torres, Jeff Ginn, Council Nedd, and several state-trooper chaplains.

A PRE-RALLY PRESS CONFERENCE will also be held FRIDAY, 31 Oct, at 10am, at the same outdoor location, one full day before the prayer rally, where several pastors will be available to media who desire private, early "scoop" access to the event leadership.

Chaplain Klingenschmitt is available now for interviews at 719-360-5132 cell or email chaplaingate@yahoo.com. All citizens are encouraged to attend, and SIGN THE PETITION to reinstate the six police chaplains, at www.PrayInJesusName.org.