Repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ could affect military chaplains’ religious freedom

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Comments: 23

Washington D.C., Feb 19, 2010 / 07:49 am (CNA).- Proposed changes allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military could marginalize military chaplains from religions which consider homosexual acts sinful, a religious liberty group has warned.

Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot said that if the military is forced to promote homosexual behavior there will be “open conflict between the virtues taught by chaplains and the moral message delivered by the military.”

“In such a conflict, it’s obvious who will win and who will lose,” Theriot claimed. “If the state favors the demands of the homosexual activists over the First Amendment, it is only a matter of time before the military censors the religious expression of its chaplains and marginalizes denominations that teach what the Bible says about homosexual behavior.”

A Feb. 17 letter from the ADF to President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates lists many possible conflicts centering on whether chaplains could sincerely adhere to their religious beliefs and still conscientiously preach and counsel while serving as military chaplains.

Problems may arise concerning whether chaplains must allow soldiers who openly engage in homosexual behavior to lead worship services or to serve in other lay leadership roles. Another concern for the ADF is whether chaplains may make public statements critical of homosexual behavior or military policy on the issue.

The ADF cited previous civilian conflicts between religious liberty and laws concerning homosexual behavior.

“Military chaplains who have volunteered to defend the liberties protected in our Constitution shouldn’t be denied those very same liberties,” Theriot argued.

He warned that forcing chaplains to “deny the teachings of their faith” in order to serve in the armed forces is a “grave threat” to the First Amendment and to the spiritual health of those in military service.

“We urge you to reconsider your decision and avoid this collision with America’s most cherished and fundamental freedom of religious liberty,” the ADF letter stated.

Comments: 23

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Osiris
Hell, MI 07/23/2010 11:14 PM EST

Carol, you make very little sense. For one you say that if you try to save a homosexual that you put yourself at risk of getting AIDS. You should probably read up on HIV/AIDS since heterosexuals carry the disease as well. It can be passed via vaginal sex as well as anal sex. Then you say that with Don't Ask Don't Tell it would that risk is kept to a minimum. That makes very little sense since Don't Ask Don't tell doesn't keep homosexuals out of the military. So Don't Ask Don't Tell isn't keeping out these homosexuals that you believe are carrying HIV/AIDS. Also theres the fact that the military tests its troops for HIV. If they're not discharged they're put on a non-deployable duty so they won't even be in battle. Like you said you never served in the military so you probably really don't know if a NO gays rule is actually best for all. Stick to what you know.

Published by: Nate
Sigonella, Italy (NAS) 05/27/2010 03:26 AM EST

In the military, shooting straight should be more important than actually being straight.

Published by: Carol
Hemet, Ca. USA 02/27/2010 01:26 AM EST

Rate: Bad

To those who are for homosexuals serving openly the military, you miss the most important point. If on the battlefield a homosexual is wounded, who should be expected to possibly put their life on the line TWICE to try to save that person? Once to try to bring them to safety, and second at the risk of getting AIDS from their spilled blood. I realize homosexuals are already in the military, but with Don't Ask, Don't Tell the above risk is kept to a minimum. If a change is to made, it would be best for all concerned to return to the policy of NO HOMOSEXUALS in the military. Also, if they are allowed to serve openly, the military may as well go to coed showers and sleeping quarters. It makes about as much sense. For the record, I am not, nor ever have been in the military.

Published by: Karl
Michigan 02/22/2010 10:05 AM EST

A few years ago, a general in the American army- a black woman - said in a speech that 'this ain't your grandfather's army.' She was right. It's not the army that won world war two, or world war one. It's an army that can't defeat third world countries in open conflict, because it's constantly mired in the politics of the age.

Published by: Amani Hera
Kenya 02/22/2010 09:33 AM EST

If men & women use separate spaces due to their sexuality e.g. bathrooms , sleeping quaters etc... Has the military reserved such spaces of separation for homosexuals? Heterosexuals have a right not to be exposed sexually to homosexuals as they would be in shared bathroom spaces & sleeping quaters etc.

Published by: Scott
Alaska 02/21/2010 07:41 PM EST

Here's a simple solution: Stop being a chaplain. Your boss is the Prince of Peace, not George Bush or Barack Obama. Those people that our military are killing? They were spoken into existence by the Word, which is Jesus Christ. And he loves them very much, even when they sin. Stop blaspheming God by encouraging people to kill his creation.

Published by: Catherine
Waipahu, HI 02/21/2010 05:02 PM EST

Rate: Good

The issue isn't whether "chaplains" will be "forced" to deal with homosexuals, but that supposed followers of Christ are "ministering" to, supporting and comforting professional killers in the first place. (Military members are voluntary, they're paid to kill, and killing is what they're trained for and is by default their job; they're professional killers, any way you slice it. Why do we restrict “murder” to private acts? It is also murder – and for a Christian, even more heinous – when you're paid to kill a total stranger by total strangers who don't even know you – or “the enemy” -- and “collateral damage” -- exist. Is this REALLY a free college education?) What has darkness to do with Light? Nowhere in the Bible are Christians given permission to join any military for any nation, person, or reason. If you have to “defend” and “promote” a god through military murder, your god's no god. Read Isaiah; God withdraws His protections, and condemns His people because of their violence and warmongering. Read 1 John; Romans 12; 2 Chronicles 20. Read early Christian history of the first three centuries. It is the height of hypocrisy and bizarre irrationality that this would even be an issue for “Christians.” Read Revelation 19; only one person has a weapon. What is that weapon? “You do err, not knowing Scripture.” “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Do you know who are shut out of the Kingdom? Revelation 22:14-15. It's not just homosexuals.

Published by: Cyril
Fort Washington/MD/USA 02/20/2010 06:34 PM EST

From my time in the Army many years ago, I do not think that the average soldier has much time to fool around when he is on base. I am not a gay person, but I doubt that those who are plan to perform their sexual behavior in public. I believe the only time a Catholic Chaplin would come in contact with homosexual behavior is when that individual person would go to confession. Remember the priest is forbidden to tell what he hears in the confessional to other. I am sure that Chaplins who hear confessions about sexual activity from soldiers. Unless, the military has changed I really do not see the problem. I read an article in the newpaper today about Marines in Afghanistan and it is obvious they are worried about staying alive and not "hitting" on another soldier. God Bless all of the men and women who serve in our military.

Published by: kim
Bangor, ME 02/20/2010 10:12 AM EST

Stop and think about how our men and women in the military have to live. There is little or no privacy in a tent or abord a ship. Do we want the ask them to live with those openly gay? I think not!!! Are we going to be required to give them their own separate barracks?

Published by: Andrew
Georgetown/On/CANADA 02/20/2010 01:29 AM EST

Every other NATO country allows homosexuals to serve openly. Israel also allows homosexual people to openly serve, and I think no one can criticize their fighting prowess. Present US policy allows men or women to be investigated by mere accusation. Failure to cooperate in such a witch hunt results in dishonorable discharge, ruined career and life (no matter how honorably the person served prior to the accusation). This also applies to homosexuals living in 100% accordance with Church teaching. This is unjust. The Church is against unjust discrimination of homosexual people (Catechism 2358). There seems to be a failure to distinguish “acts” from the people themselves. Finally banning homosexuals makes no sense as there are already homosexuals in the military. For those of you who are against this, what do you say to the gay solider who risked his life in Iraq and/or Afghanistan for your freedom? Do you have the audacity to tell him he wasn’t a hero? That he wasn’t a true solider while he was dodging bullets for you? This policy violates Church teaching and sound military doctrine.

Published by: Uzza
us 02/19/2010 08:21 PM EST

The moral message delivered by the military is to kill people. Seems like the chaplains ought to have a little bigger problem with that.

Published by: SFC Andrew Nelson
Ft. Jackson, SC USA 02/19/2010 05:45 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

Typical, when anyone is against the homosexual lifestyle, you are called a bigot. Does that mean Jesus Christ is a bigot? Or are you trying to tell me Christ was for the homosexual lifestyle. Christ came to save sinners, but He did not tell us it is ok to keep on sinning. Are not we supposed to admonish the sinner? It is false compassion to look the other way. Some people accept sin & think they are so compassionate. What a bunch of crap. Lastly, I always find it interesting that people who have never been in the military, seem to know what is best for the military. You cannot compare civilian life with military life.

Published by: Tom Wilsomn
Fort Wayne, IN USA 02/19/2010 02:48 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Got to disagree---this is one more ultra prejudiced editorial damning those who might be different---clothed in the Constitution and wrapped in religion. Stupid--anti-Life. Bigotry. TOM

Published by: Hyhybt
Commerce GA USA 02/19/2010 12:41 PM EST

"...if the military is forced to promote homosexual behavior ..." Why are you using the word "promote" to mean "allow?" They're not at all the same thing. "Promoting" homosexual behavior would be encouraging straight people to participate in it.

Published by: Angus
Rosamond, California 02/19/2010 12:39 PM EST

Don't ask, don't tell works- sort of. It is immoral and unconstitional to ask priests to endorse sodomy by permitting gays to serve. In such a case, "we must obey God rather than man" as St. Peter said (Acts 4:19)

Published by: George
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 02/19/2010 12:32 PM EST

Military chaplains have had a much greater challenge over the years in their ministry to divorced and remarried people, because of Christ's high profile condemnation of divorce and remarriage in all the Gospels. With the proper pastoral skills, military chaplains will now have the opportunity to minister to homosexuals. It is the job of every minister to do his/her best in reaching out to all who come to them seeking a relationship with the Lord.

Published by: Chuck Anziulewicz
Spring Hill, West virginia, USA 02/19/2010 12:27 PM EST

Rate: Regular

What exactly is the role of a military chaplain? Is it to proselytize on behalf of his own faith, or is it to tend to the spiritual needs of all soldiers, regardless of their faith or sexual orientation? I always thought it was the latter. If a Muslim or Jewish soldier only has access to a Christian chaplain, isn't that chaplain supposed to be trained to understand and support the soldier's spiritual needs regardless of what they might be? That was MY impression. On the other hand, if the military provides chaplains for each and every one of the faiths that are represented within the ranks of the enlisted, the solution here is simple: Employ chaplains from the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Metropolitan Community Church, or any other faith that is more accepting and supportive of Gay people. To suggest that Gay soldiers will somehow inhibit a chaplain's "religious freedom" is as absurd as saying that Atheist soldiers inhibit a chaplain's "religious freedom." You need to get over it.

Published by: Lou Apa
Sanford, NC, United States 02/19/2010 09:12 AM EST

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Fellow Americans; Pray that this issue not result in the further weakening of our military moral. There are NO a-theists on the battle field. God Bless America and America Bless God lja/JMJ

Published by: matt
georgia 02/19/2010 09:11 AM EST

It is just that in the Catholic teachings of the Church and by means of the teaching from the magisterium that the homosexuality actions made by individuals is forever unjust. The principles outlined in the bible provide the means to state that homosexuality is wrong and a sin against God boldly. As I stand with the Church on matters such as these, and as in my opinion, the Church should have a vast impact on government, freedom is freedom. The principles that this county was based on, (I use "was" based off the views of the rights to life being violated) do not reflect the teachings of the Catholic Church and that is clearly stated in politics. However, due to the principles of this country being able to fund a military, with laws authorizing rights for individuals to join cannot be violated in the regards of sacrificing one's life for the benefit of a country. The sacrifice, of course being that of giving one's self to preserve the country, or show great patriotism, which Christ did for Jerusalem. Therefore, in my opinion, where homosexuality action is a great injustice to God, we as Catholics need to do one main thing. Love the sinner and hate the sin. The Catholic phrase, teaching to focus solely on that sin. It is my personal belief that that is the best way to handle matters such as these, without violating the commandment that Christ delivered to us " Love thy neighbor as thy self." Therefore, the matter is not that the government is allowing the atrocity of

Published by: Matt
Georgia 02/19/2010 09:11 AM EST

homosexual persons to be inducted into the military, it is the problems with the hate associated with it. On a personal opinion, there is no excuse to be homosexual. As God created man and woman to be together ( Genesis) the contemplative views for modern day society are violated. However due to certain rights in the United States Constitution, the abilities it grants cannot be violated, until we pray for Congress to repel such laws.

Published by: Bruce
Colorado Springs/CO/USA 02/19/2010 08:55 AM EST

Its just another sad case where the homosexual lobby seeks to openly oppress others in the name of sexual license and immorality. What is more, is that they are now willfully endangering the American citizenry by weakening our military forces.

Published by: DLL
scituate Mass. USA 02/19/2010 08:44 AM EST

If I were in the military I could care less about some ones sexual orientation. There is too much emphasis on all of this stuff. It is someone's private and personal business. I think it is against the rights of the individual to feel compelled to reveal a sexual preference. What difference does it make? It only needs to possibly be revealed,if a criminally sexual act has been committed. Actively homosexual acts are a sin for all Catholics. If someone is an actively involved gay or lesbian and they are happy this way, than don't be Catholic. It is idolatry to serve 2 masters in God or mammon. If someone has same sex attraction but they know that they won't engage in it actively,than stay Catholic and offer this trial up as a suffering in Christ,for the glory of God. God is an ever present help no matter what is our personal affliction. We are all apart of the body of Christ no one is ever truly alone in their suffering.If one suffers all suffer this is why we must pray for everyone as a church member or as just a member of the human race. God has made us all and his love is all encompassing.

Published by: Anne
Florida 02/19/2010 08:32 AM EST

Is there no end to the destruction this administration is causing? They will not stop until this country is ripped apart, a distant memory, a complete state of anarchy, lawlessness. If we want this direction to change, we must be brave in the face of evil. We cannot just stand by idely and let it happen, or else we will have noboby else to blame but ourselves. Organize, protest relentlessly and VOTE.

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