HUFFINGTON POST – ‘Conscience Protections’: Death of the Military Chaplaincy?

Selected Article Excerpts:

• One of the major challenges facing many of the more conservative chaplains is the requirement they minister to people of all faith and even those who have no faith. This means that a Jewish airman can seek counseling from a Muslim chaplain or a lesbian Marine can ask for help from a chaplain whose faith tradition teaches that homosexuality is an abomination and a sin worthy of death.

  Under the so called “Conscience Protections” amendment being proposed by religious conservatives to be added to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, the Muslim chaplain could tell the Jewish airman that there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet. The conservative Christian chaplain would be able to tell this lesbian Marine that she needs to repent of her sin or surely she will go to hell. In addition to these examples, the striking down of Section 3 of DOMA presents even more challenges. Under this proposed legislation, will these conservative chaplains be permitted to refuse to participate in any couples retreats, family life seminars, or other similar family support activities that include same-gender couples?

• These conservative chaplains and their supporters are demanding this legislation because they no longer want to fulfill their duty to “perform or provide.” They want it both ways. To have the honor to wear their country’ uniform as officers, be paid by the American taxpayer and be able to preach and counsel as they chose. To permit this would be contrary to the obligation they accepted when they became military chaplains and took the oath to defend the Constitution of the United States.

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