“My administration remains fully committed to continuing the successful implementation of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”UPDATE 9/29/15 - President Obama Speech: Gay Agenda Trumps Christianity
-- President Obama, January 2, 2013
For background, read No Freedom of Religion for Chaplains, Say Obama & Dems and also read Pentagon Celebrates Sexual Deviancy Down Below as well as Democrat Senate Legalizes Bestiality in Military
UPDATE 7/26/13: Senator Ted Cruz Says Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
UPDATE 1/17/13: Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion
UPDATE 1/20/13: Biblical Prayer Stricken from Obama Inauguration
UPDATE 8/23/13: Lesbian Officer Punishes Airman for Moral Beliefs
-- From "How Defense Act Addresses Military Suicides and Issues of Conscience" by James Dao, New York Times 1/4/13
The provision says that service members’ beliefs cannot be used as “the basis of any adverse personnel action, discrimination or denial of promotion, schooling, training or assignment.” It also says that chaplains cannot be required “to perform any rite, ritual or ceremony that is contrary to the conscience, moral principles or religious beliefs of the chaplain.”
The American Civil Liberties Union asserts that the seemingly uncontroversial language is overly broad and that it could protect service members who discriminate against women, religious minorities and lesbian, gay and bisexual troops.
Mr. Obama [said] . . . that the military already protects the freedom of conscience of chaplains and service members, the president called the new provision “unnecessary and ill-advised.” He added that the secretary of defense would make sure that the new provision did not cause the Pentagon to condone discrimination.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Obama removes conscience protections for military chaplains from bill, calling them ‘ill advised’" by Brandon Jones, The Global Dispatch 1/6/13
“Section 533 is an unnecessary and ill-advised provision, as the military already appropriately protects the freedom of conscience of chaplains and service members,” he said in his signing statement.
Section 533 of the NDAA provides legal protections for military chaplains, barring the Defense Department from forcing them to perform services which violate their moral or religious beliefs.
“No member of the Armed Forces may — (1) require a chaplain to perform any rite, ritual, or ceremony that is contrary to the conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of the chaplain; or (2) discriminate or take any adverse personnel action against a chaplain, including denial of promotion, schooling, training, or assignment, on the basis of the refusal by the chaplain to comply with a requirement prohibited by paragraph,” the section reads.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Obama Rejects ‘Ill-Advised’ Conscience Protections for Military Chaplains" by Matt Cover, CNSNews.com 1/3/13
President Obama signed the NDAA into law Wednesday, and while he does not have the power to veto particular sections of a bill – known as a line-item veto – he can issue such signing statements indicating how his administration will interpret its duty to enforce the laws he is signing.
Such statements were used widely by former President George W. Bush, earning scorn from Democrats – including then-Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.)
“I disagree with that [issuing signing statements],” Obama said in May 2008 while campaigning for president. “I taught the Constitution for 10 years. I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States – we’re not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end-run around Congress.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Religious Liberty in the Military" by Matthew J. Franck, National Review Online 1/4/13
. . . this paragraph of Obama’s signing statement is fairly gratuitous, since Congress’s power here is complete, and unchallengeable on any separation-of-powers basis. If Section 533 is “unnecessary,” because “freedom of conscience” is already adequately protected in the military, then there is certainly no harm in legislation underscoring this protection–and it can hardly therefore be “ill-advised.” But there is no question that this administration’s push to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has put religious freedom in the military in jeopardy, for chaplains and other service members alike. Section 533 is exceedingly well-advised, and the president’s fit of pique about it in his signing statement is proof of it. One day, perhaps soon, we may see a test of the question whether “protecting the rights of gay and lesbian service members,” as this administration understands those rights, collides with the religious freedom of chaplains or other personnel, to live by their faith and to witness to their beliefs. Then we may be very glad to have this provision in law.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
From "Obama Criticizes NDAA Conscience Clause Exempting Chaplains From Performing Same-Sex ‘Marriages’" by Heather Clark, Christian News Network 1/5/13
[The Obama administration] stated that the conscience clause was “overbroad,” and that it “would prohibit all personnel-related actions based on certain religious and moral beliefs.” Its general objection to the various proposed amendments in stating that they “inhibit the ability of same-sex couples to marry” also suggested that the Department believed that the protections granted to chaplains left no one to officiate the ceremonies.
Ron Crews of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty told reporters that he feels it is important to ensure that the beliefs of Christians are protected in America.
“Every member of our armed forces should be able to serve without surrendering their beliefs,” he said. “The purpose of these provisions is simply to protect the religious liberties of military chaplains who hold to Biblical views concerning sexuality.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Obama blasts chaplains' conscience protections" by Bob Unruh, World Net Daily 1/4/13
In an analysis of the president’s statements, [the Center for Military Readiness, a non-partisan public policy organization that supports the U.S. military services] said Obama’s “gratuitous objections indicate that he continues to be primarily concerned about the small minority of professed LGBT personnel, with little regard for the majority of military chaplains and people of faith who serve.”
“Despite the president’s comments, chaplains will have a statutory basis to oppose directives that violate their religious principles. The statutory provision also will give support to chaplains who face disciplinary actions related to LGBT law,” the group said.
In a commentary on WND, R. Neil Farrar, an independent writer, concluded Obama’s goal “is not only to legalize [homosexual behavior], but to inflict terror into the hearts and minds of conservatives and Christians who would dare stand in their way.”
“For years now, our government has used the military as a testing ground for social experiments. This latest change is one of the most nefarious to date, and it is certainly an averment of how out of touch our nation’s leaders are with the American people; perhaps it is simply evidence of how much they no longer care!” he wrote. “The abrogation of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy (DADT) will infinitely impact a chaplain’s capability to provide worship and counseling services to those who are now open with their lifestyle by attenuating effective ministry, muting morality and, finally, creating in them fear of reprisal.”
Obama did not object to the legislation formally when it was before the House/Senate conference last month.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Air Force Engages War on Christianity, Say Lawmakers as well as President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity
In addition, read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
