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Obama: religious freedom provisions in defense bill ‘unnecessary and ill-advised’
LIFE Site News ^ | January 4, 2013 | JOHN JALSEVAC

Posted on 01/05/2013 2:49:15 PM PST by NYer

WASHINGTON, D.C.,January 13, 2013, (LifeSiteNews.com) – Provisions that protect the conscience rights of military chaplains that were included in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are “unnecessary and ill-advised” said President Obama in a signing statement this week.

Section 533 of the defense bill was crafted in response to fears that the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy under the Obama administration would lead to reprisals against chaplains who have moral objections to the homosexual lifestyle, or who refuse to perform same-sex “weddings.”

That section says that no member of the armed forces may “require a chaplain to perform any rite, ritual, or ceremony that is contrary to the conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of the chaplain.”

It also says that they may not “discriminate or take any adverse personnel action against a chaplain” for refusing to perform the ceremonies.

The language was introduced by former Rep. Todd Akin, R-Missouri.

While the president signed the bill with the conscience protections intact, he issued a signing statement criticizing them.

“The military already appropriately protects the freedom of conscience of chaplains and service members,” Obama wrote, adding that his administration would make sure that implementing the provisions does not lead to any “discriminatory actions.”

“My administration remains fully committed to continuing the successful implementation of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and to protecting the rights of gay and lesbian service members; Section 533 will not alter that,” he said.

In May of last year, Obama endorsed gay “marriage” after years of claiming to be in support of traditional marriage.

In a statement following the signing of the defense bill, the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty called on President Obama and senior Department of Defense leaders to honor the religious liberty protections passed in the bill.

“Chaplains should be able to stand by their faith traditions and honor their commitment to God’s Word,” said Chaplain (COL) Ron Crews, USAR retired, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. “That’s a freedom that Congress sought to protect, and the president is not at liberty to disregard the law.”

Crews pointed out that several chaplains have already been approached about having same-sex services in military chapels.

“Every member of our armed forces should be able to serve without surrendering their beliefs,” he said.

Congress passed the conscience protection provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act with overwhelming bipartisan support.

In May 2008, while campaigning for office, President Obama had promised that he would not issue “signing statements” when signing bills.

“I disagree with that [issuing signing statements],” he said. “I taught the Constitution for 10 years. I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States – we’re not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end-run around Congress.”


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: freedom; homosexualagenda; military; moralabsolutes; obama; religion; religionmilitary; religiousfreedom

1 posted on 01/05/2013 2:49:28 PM PST by NYer
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To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; SumProVita; ...

For any of you with children or grandchildren serving in the military.


2 posted on 01/05/2013 2:51:10 PM PST by NYer ("Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." --Jeremiah 1:5)
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To: NYer

The Post points out 2 lies of Obama’s, and we can only wait for the Executive Order to be signed forcing Chaplains to marry gays or be tossed out. It is coming as sure as the sun rises in the East.

If it were unnecessary and ill advised, why did Obama even mention it.No It’s coming, probably before the year is out.


3 posted on 01/05/2013 2:59:42 PM PST by Venturer
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To: NYer

Barry knows best, he’s the bestest dictator, ever!!!


4 posted on 01/05/2013 3:04:14 PM PST by exnavy (Fish or cut bait ...Got ammo, Godspeed!)
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To: NYer

Jeez, does he EVER tell the truth???


5 posted on 01/05/2013 3:05:19 PM PST by originalbuckeye
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To: NYer
“I taught the Constitution for 10 years. I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States – we’re not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end-run around Congress.”

What really meant to say was:

"I taught the g.d. constitution for 10 years. The constitution should be smashed in the most complete way possible, as soon as possible. When we get into power we will do every end-run around congress we can get away with."

6 posted on 01/05/2013 3:11:26 PM PST by Slyfox (The key to Marxism is medicine - V. Lenin)
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To: NYer
Having a pResident that is a Marxist, Mooslim, Kenyan, steaming pantload is 'unnecessary and ill-advised.
7 posted on 01/05/2013 3:13:10 PM PST by Feckless (I was trained by the US << This Tagline Censored by FR >> ain't that irOnic?)
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To: NYer

Unnecessary and ill-advised? Unnecessary I could see (if it were true), but ill-advised? ILL-ADVISED to include a provision that chaplains can’t be forced to act against their conscience and religious freedom?

As for unnecessary - we only need to look to other recent Obama-approved laws, such as the one Hobby Lobby is fighting, to see that THAT isn’t true.


8 posted on 01/05/2013 3:13:32 PM PST by Jeff Winston
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To: originalbuckeye
"Jeez, does he EVER tell the truth???"

In five days we will fundamentally change the way Washington does things

9 posted on 01/05/2013 3:15:03 PM PST by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: NYer

Can’t this be applied if they try to force chaplains?

“What is CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLE?”

A conscientious scruple against taking an oath, serving as a juror in a capital case, doing military duty, or the like, is au objection or repugnance growing out of the fact that the person believes the thing demanded of him to be morally wrong, his conscience being the sole guide to his decision; it is thus distinguished from an “objection on principle,” which is dictated by the reason and judgment, rather than the moral sense, aud may relate only to the propriety or expediency of the thing in question. People v. Stewart, 7 Cal. 143

http://thelawdictionary.org/conscientious-scruple/


10 posted on 01/05/2013 3:30:50 PM PST by 444Flyer (Genesis 12:3)
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To: Slyfox

If this pretender “taught the Constitution for 10 years” why have none of his students come forward? Fraud to the bone. What an oaf.


11 posted on 01/05/2013 3:32:01 PM PST by ogen hal (First amendment or reeducation camp?)
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To: 444Flyer

“What is CONSCIENCE?”

The moral sense; the faculty of judging the moral qualities of actions, or of discriminating between right and wrong; particularly applied to one’s perception and judgment of the moral qualities of his own conduct, but in a wider sense, de CONSCIENCE 248 CONSENSUS TOLLIT ERROREM noting a similar application of the standards of morality to the acts of others. In law, especially the moral rule which retinites probity, justice, and honest dealing between man and man, as when we say that a bargain is “against conscience” or “unconscionable,” or that the price paid for property at a forced sale was so inadequate as to “shock the conscience.” This is also the meaning of the term as applied to the jurisdiction and principles of decision of courts of chancery, as in saving that such a court is a “court of conscience,” that it proceeds “according to conscience,” or that it has cognizance of “matters of conscience.” See 3 Bl. Comm. 47-56: People v. Stewart, 7 Cal. 143; Miller v. Miller, 187 Pa. 572, 41 Atl. 277

http://thelawdictionary.org/conscience/


12 posted on 01/05/2013 3:32:32 PM PST by 444Flyer (Genesis 12:3)
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To: Slyfox
... When we get into power we will do every end-run around congress we can get away with."

At least he didn't lie :)

13 posted on 01/05/2013 3:33:05 PM PST by upchuck (America's at an awkward stage. Too late to work within the system, too early to shoot the bastards.)
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To: ogen hal

If you tell a lie often enough...


14 posted on 01/05/2013 3:36:30 PM PST by upchuck (America's at an awkward stage. Too late to work within the system, too early to shoot the bastards.)
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To: NYer

I’m a retired Army Chaplain. Already anecdoatal evidence is coming forward that Chaplains are not being protected.


15 posted on 01/05/2013 3:44:52 PM PST by AZhardliner
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To: NYer

"These are not the men of faith you should be listening to..."

16 posted on 01/05/2013 3:46:05 PM PST by a fool in paradise (America 2013 - STUCK ON STUPID)
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To: Venturer
and we can only wait for the Executive Order to...

Looks to me like Signing Statements, as a guide to executive agencies in a wink-wink-nudge-nudge manner, acts just like an EO.

“My administration remains fully committed to continuing the successful implementation of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and to protecting the rights of gay and lesbian service members; Section 533 will not alter that,”

This Signing Statement, given the above SS wording, is merely advance notice of following the DADT repeal rather than this law - he is deeming Section 533 unconstitutional, null and void.

Basically, he is applying the notion of line-item-veto, even though that has already been determined time and time again unconstitutional.

Once again, Ø shreds the Constitution. As he does every chance he gets.

17 posted on 01/05/2013 3:47:48 PM PST by C210N (When people fear government there is tyranny; when government fears people there is liberty)
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To: a fool in paradise

one wonders if there will be a second Obama inauguration


18 posted on 01/05/2013 3:51:20 PM PST by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 .....The fairest Deduction to be reduced is the Standard Deduction)
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To: originalbuckeye

“Jeez, does he EVER tell the truth???”

The only statement Obama ever made that was the truth ran chills through my bones. I think I like him better as a liar.

Remember when he said “ We are five days away from fundamentally-transforming America”?


19 posted on 01/05/2013 3:52:52 PM PST by Wisconsinlady (The only thing to stop a bad person with a gun, is a good person with a gun.)
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To: NYer

I think what he meant to say is
It’s necessary and prudent,
due to the violent behavior of my administration against religion.

At least that’s what I heard.


20 posted on 01/05/2013 4:02:42 PM PST by Morris70
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To: NYer

Like anyone of us has ever believed the guy since day one....


21 posted on 01/05/2013 4:15:48 PM PST by matginzac
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To: bert

I am currently wondering if there will be a third Obama inauguration. Nothing this Bozo does is legal. Its like having a felon aquit himself by writing a new law.

There is a Hell, justice will be served, forever.


22 posted on 01/05/2013 4:42:06 PM PST by American in Israel (A wise man's heart directs him to the right, but the foolish mans heart directs him toward the left.)
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To: C210N

According to the US Attorney and approved by Judge England at a hearing in CA this week the Constitution does not require the President to have a valid birth certificate, valid social security number nor valid selective service card. See OrlyTaitzEsq.com who replied it doesn’t require the President to have a pulse or brain activity either, but common sense requires a birth certificate which is not a forgery, a social security number not stolen, and a selective service card which is not a forgery. When the courts are corrupted, I see a civil war coming.


23 posted on 01/05/2013 5:11:50 PM PST by charlie72
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks NYer.
Provisions that protect the conscience rights of military chaplains that were included in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are "unnecessary and ill-advised" said President Obama in a signing statement this week. Section 533 of the defense bill was crafted in response to fears that the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy under the Obama administration would lead to reprisals against chaplains who have moral objections to the homosexual lifestyle, or who refuse to perform same-sex "weddings." That section says that no member of the armed forces may "require a chaplain to perform any rite, ritual, or ceremony that is contrary to the conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of the chaplain." It also says that they may not "discriminate or take any adverse personnel action against a chaplain" for refusing to perform the ceremonies. The language was introduced by former Rep. Todd Akin, R-Missouri.

24 posted on 01/05/2013 5:18:06 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)
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To: C210N

First he says it is unnecessary.

Then he says it is ill advised.

Why is it ill advised? Is that Obama’s signal that he will be angry when he makes the EO forcing CatholicChaplains to perform these ceremonies-—and he will—it’s just a matter of time.


25 posted on 01/05/2013 5:42:35 PM PST by Venturer
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To: NYer

I was a Navy chaplain for many years, and I can tell you that it is impossible to be a military chaplain and be faithful to traditional Christian beliefs and practices. If you’re a liberal from a liberal denomination, there will never be a conflict; however, if you try to practice traditional Christian beliefs in the military, you’ll never get promoted to a senior officer level. Most likely, you’ll never have the chance to be promoted. I could tell you stories about things that chaplains from my denomination were ordered to do that you find impossible to believe.


26 posted on 01/05/2013 5:53:12 PM PST by Nemoque
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To: Nemoque

I would be really interested in hearing what you have to say, and what you had to do, if you ever feel like typing it out.


27 posted on 01/05/2013 5:57:09 PM PST by Truth2012
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To: charlie72

Liberals are trying to make all nations the same (ruled by socialists with their policies and of equal income levels and life styles) so that they can erase national differences (and constitutions) to institute globalism.

They want an unelected “North American Union” regional government over Mexico, Canada and the US. That is to be modeled after the Europeon Union. They are going to have the Middle East ruled by the Muslim Brotherhood (Islam demands wealth redistribution and total social and property control, too). They have a plan for doing the consolidation of power into regional government all over the world. Over the regional governments, the UN will tax and rule.

Conservatives and the constitution have blocked their plans for years. They are angry about that.


28 posted on 01/05/2013 7:46:19 PM PST by SaraJohnson
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To: a fool in paradise

Acts 5:28-29

“Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”


29 posted on 01/05/2013 7:54:21 PM PST by 444Flyer (Genesis 12:3)
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To: AZhardliner; 185JHP; 230FMJ; AFA-Michigan; AKA Elena; APatientMan; Abathar; Absolutely Nobama; ...
Homosexual Agenda and Moral Absolutes Ping!

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I see several reasons why 0moslem is saying this. One, to drive good men and women from the military. Two, part of the same thing really - to stuff the military with immoral people with no consciences, homosexuals, Moslems, criminals and leftists who will do his bidding. Three, to generally weaken the military so it is no longer the best fighting force.

30 posted on 01/05/2013 8:07:45 PM PST by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
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To: AZhardliner; 185JHP; 230FMJ; AFA-Michigan; AKA Elena; APatientMan; Abathar; Absolutely Nobama; ...
Homosexual Agenda and Moral Absolutes Ping!

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I see several reasons why 0moslem is saying this. One, to drive good men and women from the military. Two, part of the same thing really - to stuff the military with immoral people with no consciences, homosexuals, Moslems, criminals and leftists who will do his bidding. Three, to generally weaken the military so it is no longer the best fighting force.

31 posted on 01/05/2013 8:08:27 PM PST by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
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To: NYer

Every time I hear or read something about this bastard I don’t know who I’m angrier at: him or all the dumb sh#ts that voted him back in office.


32 posted on 01/05/2013 8:46:56 PM PST by Marathoner (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: NYer

May the military chaplains remember the example of Thomas More in resisting dictates of leaders.


33 posted on 01/06/2013 9:38:29 AM PST by ex-snook (God is Love)
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To: Truth2012

The first thing we had to deal with was an order that came from Adm White, who was then CNC, and said that we were no longer allowed to pray in the “Name of Jesus.” I had been asked by the family of a pilot, who had died in a crash, to conduct his funeral since they were Christian and members of my denomination. I got a call from a Rabbi senior chaplain insisting that he be included in the service. Mind you, this was a CHRISTIAN funeral service. It wasn’t some memorial service held in the base chapel. I told the Rabbi that this would in violation of the family’s wishes and against my denomination’s rules. He chewed my butt for about twenty minutes and told me that he would see to it that I would NEVER be promoted. That’s just two incidents. I could write a book.


34 posted on 01/06/2013 11:38:55 AM PST by Nemoque
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To: Nemoque

Thank you for sharing. The name of Jesus is so powerful, this just reconfirms for me. I think you should write the book. :) I will buy an advanced copy.


35 posted on 01/06/2013 11:55:46 AM PST by Truth2012
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To: xzins

ping!


36 posted on 01/06/2013 3:10:46 PM PST by Albion Wilde ("If you're going through hell, keep on going."--Winston Churchill)
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To: AZhardliner; Albion Wilde

Technically, any chaplain can always refuse any marriage, since a wedding service is a religious service for almost any denomination I can think of. Again, technically, chaplains are supposed to be able to conduct religious services according to the dictates of their faith group. In fact, they are required to be a legitimate representative of their faith group.

However, there are pressures that can be brought to bear that are easily more formidable than a board of deacons or a church/parish council or even a bishop. One does not easily refuse a rater, intermediate rater, or senior rater when they “suggest” certain things. In the past, it was easy enough to say, “That goes against my denomination and would not be appropriate.” All of those raters were respectful of that.

Homosexual commanders and/or advocates are blinded, though, by their power, and they are part of a mindset that seeks to advance their cause, whether coordinated or not.

They would love to have a Catholic or Southern Baptist (or other) chaplain establish the precedent that full acceptance of homosexuality, including homosexual marriage, is not a problem for them. That precedent would gradually seep into the consciousness of all commanders, and they would then expect their chaplains to have same “flexibility.”

The bottom line is that denominational endorsers need to be clear and merciless in their enforcing of their standards with their chaplains. Any report of any chaplain who has strayed from the reservation must be met with immediate reprimand and immediate removal of that chaplain’s endorsement.

They must not allow compromise of principle even once.


37 posted on 01/07/2013 5:35:39 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! True supporters of our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: Venturer

An EO won’t be necessary and I expect that the conscience clause will simply be ignored.

Chaplains who “cause trouble” will simply be passed over for promotion and otherwise drummed out, paving the way for chaplains who are on board with Obama’s agenda.


38 posted on 01/07/2013 6:13:34 AM PST by Nickname
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To: xzins; little jeremiah; cindy-true-supporter; Mad Dawg; Fox_Mulder77; jmaroneps37; concretebob; ...

Excellent post #37. Pinging....


39 posted on 01/07/2013 1:23:43 PM PST by Albion Wilde ("If you're going through hell, keep on going."--Winston Churchill)
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