BreakPoint

BreakPoint: Faith in the Military

I recently told you how the repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" would affect military chaplains. I’m happy to report one organization rushing to the defense. As you know, I am devoting my remaining years of ministry to equipping Christians to live out, defend, and apply their faith—their Christian worldview—in all areas of life. And that’s why I am deeply committed to movements—like-minded Christian organizations working together. So I purposely try to highlight the work of other organizations that are making a difference—helping Christians impact and shape culture. One of those organizations is the Alliance Defense Fund, which is on the front lines and in the court rooms, defending religious freedom. I recently received an email from Alan Sears, ADF’s president, pointing out some superb resources ADF has created on one of the most recent threats to religious liberty: the impending repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The repeal of this policy would essentially normalize homosexual behavior in the military. Not only would this jeopardize what we call “unit cohesion,” but it would endanger the religious liberties of ordinary soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and would be a serious threat to the careers of our nation’s military chaplains—who may have to choose between obeying God or obeying man. Forcing chaplains to make this choice will have two consequences—both terrible. First, knowing they risk discipline and damaging their careers if they don’t embrace the normalization of homosexuality, some chaplains will feel pressured to water down or even abandon key elements of their faith. Second, as a group of former chaplains wrote in a published letter, “chaplains might have their ability to freely share their religious beliefs challenged and torn away” in everyday situations. For example, chaplains administer a marriage support program called Strong Bonds. It helps couples endure the stresses of military life. Should homosexual conduct be normalized, same-sex couples may sign up for Strong Bonds. But, as the letter states clearly, the beliefs of many chaplains “would not allow them to support relationships that are both harmful and sinful.” So the chaplains will either deny their religious beliefs or face “the potentially career-ending consequences of a discrimination complaint when they deny the request.” I’m happy to report that the Alliance Defense Fund is fighting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” And now ADF has online materials and information at SpeakUpMovement.org on this and a number of issues relating to religious freedom. But come to BreakPoint.org, and we’ll link you directly to their information on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” including video testimonies from military chaplains themselves. The chaplains include a brigadier general, a colonel who’s earned two Bronze Stars for valor in Vietnam, a colonel who later served as a state legislator, and a chaplain who—before becoming a chaplain—was an enlisted Marine wounded three times fighting in Vietnam. Also, at BreakPoint.org, we’ll link you to a great article that Alan Sears wrote for us about religious liberty. So come to BreakPoint.org, educate yourself and others not only about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” but about all the dangers facing our religious liberties. And then, please, speak up!

FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION

Speak Up Movement Faith Under Fire: "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and Religious Liberty Alliance Defense Fund Alliance Defense Fund Forcing Chaplains to Submit Chuck Colson | BreakPoint | June 2, 2010 Goodbye, Don't Ask Don't Tell? Chuck Colson | BreakPoint | February 10, 2010 Perspectives: Securing Liberty Alan Sears | The Colson Center | May 04, 2010

07/16/10