Tuesday, March 29, 2011

U.S. Army threatens military chaplains with court martial for "religious, conscience" objection to homosexuality

I have been warning for years that this was coming

Gaudium et Spes No. 16 of the Second Vatican Council teaches us that, "In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law which he does not impose upon himself, but which holds him to obedience. Always summoning him to love good and avoid evil, the voice of conscience when necessary speaks to his heart: do this, shun that. For man has in his heart a law written by God; to obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged. Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths. In a wonderful manner conscience reveals that law which is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor. In fidelity to conscience, Christians are joined with the rest of men in the search for truth, and for the genuine solution to the numerous problems which arise in the life of individuals from social relationships. Hence the more right conscience holds sway, the more persons and groups turn aside from blind choice and strive to be guided by the objective norms of morality."  And Dignitatis Humanae further explains that, "In all his activity a man is bound to follow his conscience in order that he may come to God, the end and purpose of life.  It follows that he is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his conscience." (DH, 3).

But this is precisely what the United States Army would like to do.  It would like to force military chaplains to betray their conscience.  This is gravely disturbing since legal recognition by the state for the right of the person to object in conscience is necessary.  It is necessary because civil law at times permits and even requires morally evil actions.  A society is said to be just when its laws defend the freedom of right conscience within due limits.  Think of those who, on religious grounds, have refused to serve in a combat role when this country was at war.  Conscientious objectors have always been permitted to serve their country in non-combat roles.

Christians everywhere should pray about this.  Military chaplains should be able to say along with St. Paul, "Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience up to this day" (Acts 23:1).

Related reading here and here.

Get involved.  Tell the Obama administration that you believe military chaplains shouldn't be forced against their conscience to reconcile with homosexual sin.  Go here.

7 comments:

Ted Loiseau said...

The Pray in Jesus Name project has a petition at its website which all Christians should sign. It reads in part: "Now the Obama Administration is officially on record pressuring chaplains to quit the service if they cannot 'reconcile' with homosexual sin that violates their Christian conscience."

This is nothing less than demonic.

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

In a letter to Stars and Stripes entitled "Won't Choose To Deal With It," Lt. Col. Stacy L. Maxey who is serving in Afghanistan wrote:

"So let me see if I understand this: The Defense Department is proposing to let people who choose to live a homosexual lifestyle serve 'openly' in the armed forces, but won’t allow Christians such as myself the freedom to 'openly' share the good news of Christ with our co-workers — as the faith we’ve chosen requires?

"DOD officials plan to tell servicemembers who have a problem with those living a homosexual lifestyle to 'learn to deal with it,' but they are prepared to counsel and/or slap Christians with paperwork if someone feels “offended” by our witness? Wearing sexual lifestyle choices on your sleeve is OK, but not your faith?

"Military chaplains who teach that homosexuality is antithetical to and incompatible with Christianity (which it is) can either muzzle their objections or 'leave,' but gays will be permitted to parade their lifestyle choices in front of all?

"Bottom line: So I’m free to express myself if I’m a homosexual, but not if I’m a Christian? What disgraceful hypocrisy.

"Here’s the truth: I will continue to witness to who I want, when I want and where I want. My commitment to my God supersedes my commitment to the DOD and, if officials are upset about that, then I guess they can 'learn to deal with it.'

"Department of Defense? More like the Department of Double Standards."

This sums the situation up nicely. The Obama administration is behind this hateful and hypocritical plan to silence Christian opposition toward homosexuality. Make your voiceheard.

Ellen Wironken said...

The United States Army is coming to view Catholic teaching on homosexality as "harassment." By insisting that chaplains will have to go against their conscience if they desire to remain in the military, the Army is engaging in an act of violence against them.

The Catechism could not be more clear: "A human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience. If he were deliberately to act against it, he would condemn himself." (1790).

The U.S. is beocming a totalitarian state where Christianity is being more and more demonized and will eventually be criminalized if we don't take a stand now.

jac said...

Gay fascist totalitarism is on the way to overcome the US much earlier than France.
Gays aren't yet authorized to display their purported "gender identity in the french army.
Therefore our chaplains are free to teach the catholic faith's truths in every respect.

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

Jac, this is only going to discourage many young men from considering a career with the United States Army. We may very well lose many NCO's as well. And this would be particularly devastating because the backbone of any military branch is the noncommissioned officer.

Anonymous said...

I was a serving Army Chaplain who quit the day that POTUS signed the repeal of DADT. I saw the writing on the wall, shook the dust off my sandals and retired. I pray for my still serving Chaplains everyday and also that God will find a way to reverse this before it is too late and we find ourselves facing God's wrath!

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

Anonymous, thank you for your courageous comment and more importantly for your service. I don't know whether to call you Father or Pastor. But I will say this: God bless and keep you!

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