Any lawyer who can read the U.S. Constitution, Virginia's Statute for Religious Freedom authored by Thomas Jefferson, and many other laws and court rulings against religious based discrimination should have no problem discerning the impropriety and unconstitutionality of DADT. At least if that lawyer doesn't allow his/her personal religious beliefs to trump their duties as an officer of the court to uphold the civil laws and the nation's Constitution. Thus, it is no surprise to me that the American Bar Association ("ABA") has come out against DADT and sent a letter urging Congress to repeal DADT. As the Legal Times Blog reports:*
American Bar Association sent a letter to the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and Department of Defense on Monday expressing its "strong support" for ending the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
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"Subjecting a person to discharge from military service on the basis of sexual orientation is, and always has been, a denial of the very constitutional protections that the oath administered to military members calls upon servicemembers to protect," wrote ABA President Carolyn Lamm.
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"Contrary to the asserted purpose of the policy, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ appears already to have hampered military readiness by requiring the dismissal of hundreds of highly trained and skilled personnel," Lamm wrote.
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Also joining the fray and seeking to counter a letter - probably arranged by Elaine Donnelly or some other professional homophobe - from 40 retired military chaplains. Obviously, I question the propriety of chaplains seeking to influence CIVIL legislation that currently embodies unconstitutional religious based discrimination. I also question why anyone in Congress should listen to retired relics of a by gone day who are more than likely utterly out of touch with the younger generation that is not afflicted with the homophobia of yesteryear. In any event, Interfaith Alliance President, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, issued a statement today in response to a letter from these retired chaplains asking President Obama and Defense Secretary Gates to uphold the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of gays in the military. (Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition.) Here are some highlights:
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As a longtime advocate for equal rights for all citizens, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, I am deeply troubled by the views expressed in today’s letter from a group of retired military chaplains to President Obama and Defense Secretary Gates. It is so fraught with illogical reasoning, one almost does not know where to begin in discussing its content.
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The chaplains claim that their religious freedoms would be threatened if gays serve openly in the military. Yet, repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in no way would hinder chaplains from voicing their personal moral convictions and theological doctrines. The chaplaincy should represent the diversity of faiths in the military, not simply one point of view.
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Similarly, the chaplains argue that this would impact their “ability to counsel” because “service members seeking guidance regarding homosexual relationships will place chaplains in an untenable position.” By this logic, we also should ban all service members whose gambling habits, treatment of spouses, and views on abortion, politics, or the economy are not in line with those of the chaplains. As a Baptist minister, I frequently counsel people whose beliefs on a number of subjects are not exactly in line with the religious or moral values that I embrace. Such a challenge in counseling comes with the territory of being a clergy member.
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The views expressed by the chaplains are the antithesis of the themes of love and inclusion commended and demonstrated by the Christ from whom they form their religious identity. If Christian chaplains followed the teachings of Jesus they would have no problem joining any military member in prayer or spiritual thought.
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Our servicemen and women deserve chaplains who support and comfort them as they carry out their military duties regardless of their individual lifestyles. Sexual orientation is no more a hindrance to that mission now than was racial identity years ago. Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a step forward in equality and justice for all citizens. When chaplains find the government’s pursuit of these goals to be a threat to their values, we must ask whether something is askew with their values.
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As a longtime advocate for equal rights for all citizens, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, I am deeply troubled by the views expressed in today’s letter from a group of retired military chaplains to President Obama and Defense Secretary Gates. It is so fraught with illogical reasoning, one almost does not know where to begin in discussing its content.
*
The chaplains claim that their religious freedoms would be threatened if gays serve openly in the military. Yet, repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in no way would hinder chaplains from voicing their personal moral convictions and theological doctrines. The chaplaincy should represent the diversity of faiths in the military, not simply one point of view.
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Similarly, the chaplains argue that this would impact their “ability to counsel” because “service members seeking guidance regarding homosexual relationships will place chaplains in an untenable position.” By this logic, we also should ban all service members whose gambling habits, treatment of spouses, and views on abortion, politics, or the economy are not in line with those of the chaplains. As a Baptist minister, I frequently counsel people whose beliefs on a number of subjects are not exactly in line with the religious or moral values that I embrace. Such a challenge in counseling comes with the territory of being a clergy member.
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The views expressed by the chaplains are the antithesis of the themes of love and inclusion commended and demonstrated by the Christ from whom they form their religious identity. If Christian chaplains followed the teachings of Jesus they would have no problem joining any military member in prayer or spiritual thought.
*
Our servicemen and women deserve chaplains who support and comfort them as they carry out their military duties regardless of their individual lifestyles. Sexual orientation is no more a hindrance to that mission now than was racial identity years ago. Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a step forward in equality and justice for all citizens. When chaplains find the government’s pursuit of these goals to be a threat to their values, we must ask whether something is askew with their values.
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