Have we reached the point that a Christian who affirms traditional church teachings cannot be appointed to public office?
The case of Dr. James Wilson Holsinger, Jr. now raises that question. President George W. Bush has nominated Dr. Holsinger to be the next Surgeon General of the United States, the nation's highest ranking health official.
As a physician, Dr. Holsinger is unusually qualified for the position. He holds a medical degree from Duke University, where he also earned a Ph.D. in anatomy and physiology. He also holds graduate degrees in hospital administration and biblical studies.
He has served as Medical Director for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an agency he served for 25 years. He also served for 31 years in the United States Army Reserve, where he received numerous citations and retired at the rank of Major General.Beyond these qualifications, he served as Chancellor of the University of Kentucky Medical Center, which also involved his supervision of the schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and health sciences. He later served as Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for Kentucky.
By any measure, he is one of the most qualified physicians in the United States. So, why are so many people -- including several influential Democratic senators -- opposing his nomination?
Reporter Art Jester of the Lexington Herald-Leader explains:
The nomination of University of Kentucky professor Dr. James W. Holsinger as U.S. surgeon general has come under fire from groups that fear his actions as a high-ranking official in the United Methodist Church indicate he is anti-gay.
What a terrible thought: Nominating a man who actually refuses to affirm a physically unhealthy, psychologically destructive behavior for the position of chief medical officer of our country...
Apparently we must now add the office of Surgeon General to the rapidly increasing list of positions and careers Bible-believing Christians are deemed unfit to hold:
fertility specialistpharmacist or pharmacy owner
mayor
transit board member
military chaplain
police psychologist
corporate employee
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Read the whole commentary.
