Letter Urges Senate to Oppose Repeal of Military Policies on Homosexuals and Abortion
- Sep 16, 2010 - 33 -
Efforts are underway in Congress to overturn longstanding policies restricting open homosexuals from serving in the military and barring elective abortions on military bases as a part of the Defense Authorization Act (S. 3454). The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, strongly opposed to using our military to advance radical social policies, sent a letter Sept. 16 to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging him and his colleagues to oppose any vote to advance the Defense Authorization bill unless provisions to repeal the policies on homosexuals and abortion are removed. The letter is reprinted below and is viewable in PDF here (137 KB PDF).
September 16, 2010
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Republican Leader
United States Senate
S-231, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510Dear Leader McConnell:
We write to express our strong opposition to the proposed FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act. While the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission believes Congress should authorize the resources necessary to support our troops, we regret that we cannot support the bill due to the inclusion of troublesome social measures. Our primary concerns are twofold.
First, the bill includes an amendment that would overturn the 1993 law, commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” that recognizes “the prohibition against homosexual conduct” as “a longstanding element of military law that continues to be necessary in the unique circumstances of military service.” We do not believe it is in our nation’s best interest to allow those who engage in homosexual behavior to serve in the military. As stated in the findings of the law, passed with bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate and signed by President Clinton, there is no constitutional right to serve in the military. This assertion has been upheld multiple times in court. In fact, the military has numerous service restrictions, because, as the 1993 law finds, “[m]ilitary life is fundamentally different from civilian life.” The admission of openly homosexual individuals into the military would engender sexual tension and thereby negatively impact troop morale, unit cohesion, and order. We are also gravely concerned that repeal would result in the resignation of large numbers of personnel who are currently serving in our all-volunteer services, and that it will be extremely difficult to recruit their replacements.
Second, the Defense Authorization bill includes an amendment sponsored by Senator Burris to repeal Section 1093(b) of Title 10 of the U.S. Code barring elective abortions on military installations in the United States and abroad. We strongly oppose this amendment. Our taxpayer-funded military hospitals should be centers to help restore sick and injured troops, not to take the lives of our servicewomen’s unborn children. Furthermore, many military doctors have moral objections to performing abortions. Adoption of the Burris Amendment would place them in the difficult position of standing on their deeply held convictions or compromising in order to satisfy military expectations. Such a policy shift would also discourage pro-life physicians from joining the military.
It is an outrage that the needs of our men and women in our nation’s uniforms are being turned into a political vehicle to advance liberal, divisive issues. We therefore strongly urge you and your colleagues to oppose any action on the Defense Authorization Act, and to support a filibuster if necessary, unless these provisions on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and abortion are removed.
Sincerely,
Richard D. Land
Further Learning
Learn more about: Family, Sexual Purity, Homosexuality, Life, Abortion, Citizenship, Legislation, Religious Liberty, Social Issues, War,
{comment_total} comments (post your own) feed
1 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 6:47pm, Robert J Hlavac, Col., USAF Ret wrote:
Please fight this as it is the worst thing that could happen to our troops and our Military hospitals…
2 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 6:57pm, J. Jolene Atkins wrote:
I wholeheartedly support Richard Land’s letter to the Honorable Mitch McConnell, Senate Republican Leader. I could not word it as nearly as well as Richard Land.
This bill should not be passed with provisions for removing, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and with provisions for abortion on military bases. Neither should our doctors and medical personnel be expected to perform these duties. Neither should our tax payer dollars be spent this way.
Mrs. J. Jolene Atkins
Dallas, TX
3 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 7:45pm, Donnie browning wrote:
Vote no!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 7:48pm, RUBY LUDLOW wrote:
do not pass this bill
5 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 8:00pm, Nancy Peters wrote:
Yes, I agree with Richard Land. Pleave vote to continue Dont ask dont tell.
6 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 8:05pm, Jon C. Webber wrote:
I support Richard Land’s letter to the Honorable Mitch McConnell, Senate Republican Leader! This bill is a disaster and should not be passed.
7 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 8:24pm, Linda McGowan wrote:
Vote No!!!!!!!!!! I completely agree with Dr. Land. The changing of these time honored positions will further add to the destruction of our culture and morals. In the name of decency and all that is good, Stop this now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 8:33pm, Thermon E. Moore wrote:
Dear Leader McConnell:
As an American and a retiree from the armed forces I strongly oppose the action before the Senate tomorrow concerning the “Don’t ask, don’t tell and the opening of military hospitals as abortion clinics. We are in dire straits now with our near 13 trillion debt for our grandchildren to repay.
I hope you can muster enough Senators to stop this before it gets out of the Senate.
Thank you for your standing for right and my prayers will be with you. Thermon
9 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 8:46pm, Jean Corvin wrote:
Please!! Vote no on this terrible bill. The attachments to it are immoral and degrading to our armed forces and everyone else.
10 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 8:58pm, Winston R. Youngblood, Lt.Col. USAF, Ret. wrote:
I totally agree with Richard D. Land .... I believe this would put the finest Military Force
in the world down in Morale, Performance, Spirit and Dedication.
WRY
11 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 9:03pm, Sherri Clark wrote:
I concur. The majority of Americans oppose this bill. It is your duty to vote according to the consent of the governed. I urge you to vote to continue “Don’t ask don’t tell”. Thank you.
12 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 9:04pm, don patterson wrote:
Life before birth is as vital as a born child. Conception is the geginning of life and I urge those who have the power over life and death in this bill to reject death and approve life, the life of an unborn child.
13 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 9:33pm, SFC(Ret.) Shane beckwith wrote:
Honorable Mitch McConnell
I strongly oppose any action/movement on the Defense Authorization Act that supports provisions on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†and abortions on our military installations and off post affiliates.
Thank you.
14 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 9:48pm, Tina Gilmore wrote:
Please Vote No on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It’s not a matter of equality for homosexuals, gays are already in the military…why does the world need to know about it? Again, I am so tired of this movement attempting to bully society into ‘woe is me, I have no benefits’! And our military certainly is no place for this silly argument when there are so many more important issues for them to concern themselves with.
I pray for God Almighty to give you discernment and courage to stand up and hold up the truth and the integrity of the common people of this country.
Thank you and God Bless you.
15 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 10:31pm, Sherre Stephens wrote:
As others before me, please “Vote No” on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I don’t see how it will make things better. It is time to stand up for the values that made our nation great.
Thank you.
16 On Sep 20th, 2010, at 11:15pm, Larry Latham wrote:
Please let the Spirit of the Almighty God speak boldly to your heart and vote no on this bill. The military has always stood for life and protection of its country. That seems like the moral and godly thing to continue doing.
17 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 12:10am, Melissa Dunn wrote:
Please vote no on this bill. Thank you for respecting and representing your constituent position on this nefarious bill.
18 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 12:33am, Mr. Will Kess wrote:
I agree with the Richard Land, vote not to allow gays/homosexual/lesbians to serve/openly serve in the military, I feel it would hinder our forces from performing their military duties to the utmost of their ability and could endanger them and others.
Please Vote no, against allowing this.
It is not ok to be gay anyway.
19 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 1:36am, Marti Caro wrote:
Protect our troops and our babies! Vote No! Thank you.
20 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 1:50am, Denise Miller wrote:
I am asking you to vote no to the “don’t ask don’t tell” bill. I believe you will vote the will of the people. Thank you for your service.
21 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 2:51am, Linda Lawrence wrote:
Please continue on with the don’t ask don’t tell policy. 1000 retired Generals have written asking President Obama not to repeal this policy. I agree with Richard Land. Linda Lawrence
22 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 3:20am, Angie Dawn wrote:
I also agree, vote No on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. The majority of Americans oppose this bill. It is your duty to vote according to the consent of the governed. I urge you to vote to continue “Don’t ask don’t tellâ€. I hope you are praying for God to give you wisdom and courage to do what He considers moral and right. Please help this Nation get back on track to righteousness, so God will once again Bless us.
Thank you.
23 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 3:25am, Alex Vega wrote:
vote “no†on the motion to proceed to the Defense Authorization bill, since it includes amendments to allow open homosexuals and elective abortions in the military.
24 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 3:29am, Norman Brown wrote:
As a WWII vet, I believe removal of “don’t ask don’t tell” would be very harmful to our armed forces. Please resist this amendment with dedication for the future of our country.
25 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 3:47am, Dr. Daryl Ann Doane wrote:
Honorable Mitch McConnell
I strongly oppose any action/movement on the Defense Authorization Act that supports provisions on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†and abortions on our military installations and off post affiliates. Many other Republicans we know also agree, and EXPECT the Republicans in Congress (House AND Senate) to represent us ACCURATELY!
Please do so.
Thank you.
Drs. John AND Daryl Ann Doane
26 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 3:49am, George Miller wrote:
As a Southern Baptist Pastor, I believe this bill is immoral. Please vote no on this bill
Thank you.
27 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 5:45am, Johnny Ware wrote:
I support Richard Lands letter to the honorable Mitch Mc Connell. I am an American Citizen, and strongly ask you not to pass this bill with provisions of “don"t ask, don’t” tell” and with the provisions for abortion on
Military bases. Life before birth is as vital as a child that is born. Conception is the beginning of life and I urge each of you who
have power over life, and death in this bill to
reject death, and approve Life for the unborn. children deserve the right to be born.
28 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 12:20pm, Mary Lynne Stadter wrote:
I agree that it is not necessary to muddle up support of our troops with “don’t ask, don’t tell” or with abortions in military hospitals. The troops deserve our support, not these matters.If the advocates of these items ask for senate support, let them bring these matters independently, not risking support of our loyal military.
Thank you so much.
29 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 4:43pm, Ronald C. Mohlmaster II, SGM Retired wrote:
I readily oppose and expect you to oppose any action or bill that would remove our current “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for our Armed Forces. I also oppose and expect you to oppose any action or bill that would encourage, approve or make abortion accessible for military personnel or on military installations. As a retired Army Sergeant Major I expect you and the rest of our political representatives to serve and defend the integrity, the honor and the livelihood of our Armed Forces that have served and defended your integrity, honor and livelihood since the birth of our nation. Have the courage, candor and commitment to do the right thing. Thank you!
30 On Sep 21st, 2010, at 9:33pm, Rev. Robert L. Boone wrote:
Please, use all the powers and resources available to you to stop this senseless destruction of the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy. Homosexuality is an abomination to God and He can’t continue to bless this nation if we continue to totally disregard His laws. Thanks, as usual for your support!
31 On Sep 22nd, 2010, at 6:52am, Alex Vega wrote:
I oppose and strongly request you to oppose any action or bill that would remove our current “Don’t ask, don’t tell†policy for our Armed Forces.
I also oppose and strongly request you oppose any action or bill that would encourage, approve or make abortion accessible for military personnel or on military installations.
Make what I am sure you know is the right decisions and what is best for our country!
Thanks for doing what you know to be the right thing.
32 On Oct 26th, 2010, at 7:59pm, Karen Osivnik wrote:
Dear Honorable Mitch McConnell,
Though I support the troops,I DO NOT support elective abortions or the admissions of openly gay individuals into our great military forces.Please STOP this Defence
Authorization Act.
Thank You for fighting the fight.
33 On Mar 13th, 2011, at 10:01pm, Dallas wrote:
Americans truly shock me sometimes, as a people we should not be so concerned with labels. Your naïve and narrow minded to think how you are thinking about “Dont Ask Dont Tell”. As a veteran I know from first hand how great military personnel are and I served with many “Gay” people and it does not change anything as they are who they are and they should be allowed the freedom to that and should not be treated how they are when they are risking their lives every day so you can post these silly comments about them degrading our great military system.