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.
Excellent post #37. Pinging....