Posted on 07/29/2011 10:16:11 AM PDT by jazusamo
The military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy,” will be no more as of Sept. 20, when homosexual men and women will be allowed to serve openly in all branches of the U.S. armed forces.
But a number of military chaplains fear an unofficial version of the policy will take its place, one that muzzles and marginalizes chaplains who hold strict biblical beliefs about homosexuality.
"We've already seen that a chaplain had an assignment pulled because he was critical of the repeal of DADT," says retired Col. Ron Crews, a former U.S. Army chaplain.
Crews, along with several other chaplain endorsers (denominations that sponsor military chaplains) are meeting with attorneys this week in Scottsdale, Ariz., to form a coalition that will provide legal and other support for chaplains and soldiers who might be disciplined over conflicts concerning their views on homosexuality. Crews is the executive director of the newly formed Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty.
"We need to cover our chaplains and all military personnel who hold traditional orthodox views on homosexuality, that their constitutional rights will not be infringed upon in this new environment," said Crews.
The government is assuring chaplains they have nothing to fear. A Department of Defense statement says, "Chaplains will continue to have freedom to practice their religion according to the tenets of their faith. Chaplains are not required to take actions that are inconsistent with their religious counseling ... or modifying forms of prayer or worship."
But Crews believes otherwise saying, "That line from the DOD is not the truth. They say there are no issues, but the issues are there."
One example, Crews says, is the military's “Strong Bonds” program, where chaplains council couples, often during retreats, on how to strengthen their marriages and family structures under the pressure of serving their country...
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
You are closer to the Purple Palace than I am. Any comments or responses from our (LCMS) Chappy’s?
I know a couple that are solid and can “winsomely” counsel, but when “push comes to shove”...
What a mess.
The homosexuals want the military to go back to the day when they were able to help each other get the best and cushiest assignments.
sarc/
"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid." - The Duke
Government is restricting the religious views of it’s citezens. Great.
And before anyone harps on me, I served, I know you give up certain rights when you serve. I was always able to worship God freely when I was in. I never had anyone tell me how I could do it, which is what the Chaplain who believe in God and the Bible as written will now face.
Our Navy, by far the most gay-friendly of America’s military services, is ahead of this curve:
“Navy backpedals on gay unions by chaplains”,
Decision allowing same-sex ceremonies is suspended following petition by House GOP.
“Under pressure from more than five dozen House lawmakers, the Navy late Tuesday abruptly reversed its decision that would have allowed chaplains to perform same-sex unions if the Pentagon decides to recognize openly gay military service later this year.
In a one-sentence memo obtained by The Associated Press, Rear Adm. Mark Tidd, chief of Navy chaplains, said his earlier decision has been “suspended until further notice pending additional legal and policy review and interdepartmental coordination.”
The Navy said its lawyers wanted to do a more thorough review of the legal decision that allowed Navy chaplains to receive training to perform civil unions on military bases, but only in states where same-sex unions are legal.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42987351/ns/us_news-life/
My sister is one of the leftist wackos leading the charge for the elimination of chaplains in the services.
She’s a huge pro-homosexual activist and sees chaplains as one of the biggest hurdles in the inundation of gays into the military. She has absolutely ZERO concerns for military readiness.
Constant point of argument among us.
That was a snafu on a grand scale by the Navy. It’s like not one of them had ever heard of DOMA.
No civilization has ever survived rampant homosexuality.
I have sympathy for you.
There’s no getting through to leftists like her, they want it their way, period.
And we are not going to be the exception.
Wasn’t a snafu, it was true colors. Today’s Navy, a global force for good, has race adn sex quotas for Annapolis and sees diversity as it’s purest, highest goal. http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/sch/2009/04/25-03/Navys-top-officer-lists-diversity-No-1-priority.html
The Godless communists remain on the march, this is just the latest warning.
Remember this, Jaz? I was in high school at the time...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwJHg9UBNPE
You bet I remember commie Khruschchev saying that and they couldn’t do it militarily, they’re still working from the inside though.
I also voted for Goldwater and what a sad day that Johnson was elected but not a surprise.
Yeah, repeal of DADT is clearly one of the worst things ever to happen in US history. Who would encourage their daughter to enlist if they knew the military would bunk her next to a heterosexual man? No one in their right mind. That’s why she won’t be bunked there. But now your son will be bunked next to a homosexual guy? This is ridiculous. The private life of a guy mowing your lawn or balancing your accounts is not of much interest to you. But the military is 24-7 job, and there is no privacy...
I know the language these people use when it comes to chaplains. Any time the word "religious" is used it is to be understood as "religious only ministry." It has always been that way. For example, a "memorial service" is a "religious" program. A "memorial ceremony" is a "military" ceremony.
This says that chaplains will "not (be) required to take actions that are inconsistent with their religious counseling..."
I know that that should read "religious counseling only", because that is what they mean.
I would not be required to do "religious counseling" inconsistent with my faith, but what are the parameters they would use to define "religious counseling"? It would be counseling that can reasonably seen as "only religious."
If Gay Tom and Gay Bob enter my office and say, "we're having relationship problems, and we want counseling to keep our relationship together", that would NOT be "religious counseling." It would be "relationship counseling", and odds are, the chaplain would not be able under these rules to refuse that counseling or to counsel them to give up their homosexuality.
He would be subject to the charge of refusal to do his assigned duties.
This is my take based on a career as a military chaplain.
In short, the chaplain would be forbidden to use his religious faith system to inform his unit involvement EXCEPT when he is involved in a strictly religious activity.
Thank you, xzins. I suspected something along those lines.
The CinC, SECDEF and military chain of command have all been rushing this and trying to assure everyone all is well. There won’t be conflicts, this won’t affect our military readiness and I don’t believe a word of it.
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