The failure to stand behind the DOMA (Defense 0f Marriage Act) legislation by the Commander in Chief is a clear sign that there will be a compromise of the chaplain‘s (and likely all uniformed personnel) freedom of religious expression. No doubt in my mind.

While serving as a military chaplain in the past, one notable challenge was providing a viable religious ministry for soldiers, sailors and marines not from traditional Christian backgrounds (Jewish, Wiccan, LDS etc.), without compromising my own faith system.

Another recent and ongoing challenge for the chaplain is the rendering of public prayer without compromising one‘s conscience or personal Christian faith within an ever-growing pluralistic and anti-sectarian audience.

Today, the landscape has radically changed. Up to this point, Christian Chaplains have been able to navigate the minefields (while holding to their values and faith) reasonably well within the changing cultural landscape. But the future is certainly in question. Can Christian evangelicals continue to operate with the freedoms of expression and remain faithful to the Gospel in the future?

As a result of the recent ‘certification‘ process the Repeal of DADT means gay/lesbian military members can join and serve openly in the military. Evangelical chaplains now must act with even greater discretion in their messages, counsel and overall leadership as moral agents to their Commanders, peers and soldiers. Chaplains now must be constantly aware—whether they are speaking as a chaplain within the religious context or whether they‘re speaking as a uniformed ‘officer‘ outside of the religious context.

Two assurances were given to Chaplain Endorsers and other representatives by senior military leaders in preparation for the Repeal of DADT in January 2011:

(1) the individual chaplain‘s or military member‘s belief system would not be challenged (nor be required to change) and

(2) The Department of Defense use of the DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) as Federal Law was a key reference point in defining marriage. i

Both of these assertions in General Biscone‘s presentation are in serious doubt with recent Administrative policy moves. The Obama Office has publicly distanced itself from the DOMA legislation; it regards the 1996 Legislation as unconstitutional. ii

The failure to stand behind the DOMA legislation by the Commander in Chief is a clear sign that there will be a compromise of the chaplain‘s (and likely all uniformed personnel) freedom of religious expression. No doubt in my mind.

The murkiness of present-day DOD policy (post DADT Repeal) has been further complicated by recent Memoranda that fully allows chaplain participation in ―any private ceremony on or off a military installation, provided that the ceremony is not prohibited by applicable state and local law. iii

These instructions refer directly to the performance of marriages by same-sex couples by chaplains. The memoranda further clarify that chaplains would not be required to officiate or participate if doing so would be in variance with the tenets of his or her religion or personal beliefs. If all of this is not enough to be disheartened, the gay rights movement‘s next battleground is to persuade the Obama administration to end the armed forces ban on ‘transgenders,’ a group that includes transsexuals and cross-dressers. iv

Obviously these trends are disturbing. While optimism is a virtue (and I like to be virtuous) it is evident that we are up against formidable forces in the preservation of traditional values and biblical standards as military chaplains.

Additional constraints upon the chaplain are inevitable as the policies faced in the wake of the DADT Repeal have yet to be written. Most of the policy will be reactionary or in response to case litigation that will transpire in the months and years to follow.

Freedoms to express a biblical position on homosexual conduct may be non-existent!

Is there hope for evangelical chaplains? Absolutely. There are still bright spots in the road ahead. Military chaplains still will be critical forces for good and for Christ in the day-to-day ministry and morale-building of their units. A faithful and vital ministry will still be in demand by the troops.

Thank God for each chaplain. And the chaplain, by and large, has yet many open doors to share the Word and the Gospel as he/she interacts with personnel within his/her respective sphere of influence.

We are also thankful for The Alliance Defense Fund which has stood by our churches, endorsers and chaplains in supporting the legal rights of our chaplain ministry.

Just recently, to give a more united voice and to help ensure religious liberties to our chaplains, many evangelical endorsers (and others) have launched in June/July the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, a group of like-minded faith representatives, former chaplains, officers and supporters. This organized effort will help articulate the religious liberty issues before us, engage the media, seek additional legal advice and help give a more concerted voice regarding the concerns that face evangelical chaplains.

Pray and support your endorsers, military and civilian leaders as we face the uncertainty of tomorrow yet rely on the certainty of God‘s Gracious Providence and Grace in the continued secularization of our culture. We desire to continue seeking to be wise servants while holding forth the Promises and Truths of the Word.

Footnotes

i Briefing notes on the DADT Repeal, by MajGen Greg Biscone, USAF, Chief of Staff, Comprehensive Review Working Group, at the Armed Forces Chaplain‘s Board luncheon for National Conference of Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) and briefing dated Jan 13, 2011.

ii CBS News, Political Hotsheet of Feb 23, 2011 by Brian Montopoli. The President instructs the Justice Department to no longer defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act—the legal prohibition on federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

iii Memorandum from Under Secretary of Defense, Clifford L. Stanley, dated 30 Sep 2011 and Memorandum from General Counsel to the Department of Defense by Jeh C. Johnson dated 21 Sep 2011.

iv The Washington Times, Sep 29, 2011. Article by Rowan Scarborough After Demise of ‘Don’t Ask, Activists Call for End to Military Ban on Transgenders.

Roy Bebee is a minister in the Evangelical Free Church of America. He is a retired Navy Chaplain and now serves as the Endorsing Agent (liaison between church and military) for all EFCA chaplains. He currently lives in Colorado Springs, CO. This article appeared in the October issue of The Clarion, the Newsletter of EFCA Chaplains and is used with permission