As the Pentagon's homosexual training begins this month, many evangelical chaplains will not be the desired supportive force for the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy; the Pentagon desperately needs chaplains to "bless" the transition.
-- From "U.S. Military Chaplains' Concerns Addressed in Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'" by Sheryl Young, posted at Yahoo! News 2/2/11
Will chaplains' religious rights and ability to minister to service people on the basis of faith fall through a loophole due to quick oversight? What if the scriptural texts of their religions instruct them to believe that homosexuality is against God's will?
The Pentagon issued a "Support Plan for the Implementation of the Repeal of DADT" toward the end of 2010. It addresses issues involving conduct by or for chaplains, and appears to take chaplains' religious beliefs into consideration.
The report admits hearing from a very large number of service people who were concerned they would be asked to concede their belief in the Bible's stand on homosexuality. The Pentagon feels that attention and respect should be given to the military's 3,000 chaplains' beliefs in various faiths.
However, due to sharply disagreeing morals in today's society and between faiths, all must learn to co-exist together within the military environment as in any other venue.
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From "Chaplains predicted to resist 'gay'-ban repeal" by Brian Fitzpatrick © 2011 WorldNetDaily 2/2/11
Though [chaplains] may be involved in implementing DADT repeal training, and their ministries will be directly affected, the chaplains still have no idea what the training will consist of, said Alliance Defense Fund attorney Daniel Blomberg. ADF, a defender of civil and religious liberties, represents both military chaplains and endorsers.
"I have not heard anything regarding specifics," said Blomberg. "A pastor would be free to preach his beliefs about homosexuality, according to the Pentagon, but you don't know what a chaplain can do in a counseling situation or an ethical situation. Could a chaplain refuse to allow a married homosexual couple to participate in counseling for married couples, or refuse to hire a homosexual to be a children's church teacher? None of these issues are being answered, and that's a real problem."
During the briefing, Marine Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Pentagon would provide no special consideration of chaplains' objections to DADT repeal.
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