Blomberg noted this chaplain’s experience bore similarities to a Washington Times report that Army Lt. General Thomas Bostick compared opposition to allowing open homosexuals in the military to opposition to racial integration. The ADF attorney also acknowledged that the army has disputed the accuracy of the Times report.
However, such sentiments are also found in proponents of homosexuals openly serving in the military such as Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
"My heart doesn't bleed for these chaplains," he told the Associated Press in a story on the chaplains’ concerns. "If you don't like it, there's a very simple solution: Fold your uniform, file the paperwork and find something else to do."
Blomberg reported that congressional opponents of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy have added non-discrimination regulations to the relevant bill. The original language would treat homosexuality under “a form of class protection like you would see for race or sex.”
Because chaplains have officer proficiency reports like any other officer, they will be judged on whether they are complying with the equal protection goals of the military.
If the policy is repealed, Blomberg explained, “one of those goals will be being supportive of the military’s mission of incorporating and supporting homosexual behavior in the military.”
“The concern of the chaplains is if they counsel, if they preach, if they do their ethical teaching duties, and indicate that homosexual behavior is not good, or is a form of sin, then they would be treated as if they had said being black is sinful, or being a woman is wrong. That would be viewed as on that same level of discrimination.”
Blomberg deemed the proposed change to be “very far reaching.”
Archbishop for the Military Services Timothy J. Broglio has opposed repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." In an interview with CNA last month, he warned of a “latent” danger to religious liberty in the agenda advanced by some people in the name of tolerance.
“(T)here is an agenda to force everyone to accept as normal and positive behavior that is contrary to the moral norms of many religions, including the Catholic Church,” he commented, voicing concern that teaching morality or forming young people in their faith could be misconstrued as intolerance.
Kevin J. Jones is a senior staff writer with Catholic News Agency. He was a recipient of a 2014 Catholic Relief Services' Egan Journalism Fellowship.