Gay Army couple says chaplain barred them from marriage retreat
Your thoughts? Should Chaplains have the right to do this to soldiers?
A same-sex couple at Fort Irwin, Calif., says they have been denied participation in an Army marriage enrichment program because of their sexual orientation, even though they are legally married.
This was initialy an issue where the right to attend a military function was dennied from eligible individuals, but we have turned it into a question of sexual choices and God's status on it. Not till lately, I thought that homosexuality is a sin but this was only because I grew up in a society where it viewed it as a set act and an abomination. I have taken time to read the Bible keeping away my acquired knowledge about the topic and found out that, it is God's purpose for mankind and a gift of freedom to many. Take time and talk to some of this individuals and u would be facinated about how much ignorance u may have been exercising. Compare statistics of the lenght of gay and heterosexual marriages, positively influencial personalities, the childhood of kids brought up by a gay couple against hetero sexuals; I mean, it is just a hand full of this gay couples but they have proudly adopted kids abandoned by heterosexual individuals. I know many gays who are best at their job both in the military and out there in the civilian sector. Despite the challenges most gay kids go through in schools, they still walk their way through the top. It seem to me that the issue with homosexuality is the challenges that aclaimed heterosexual face from this individuals as ethicacy and job performance is concern. It is so sad to say, but most of those who claime to be heterosexuals, have had, or still have sex with their wives, girl friends or boy friends annally and yet, find it wrong! Is it the sex or the fact that a guy and a guy (girl n girl) deeply loves each other the way that u can't?
There is a clear difference between doctrine and christianity. Most christians today go after doctrine rather reading the Bible and seeking understanding from God. If u quote the Bile as it is, then i tell u that there is everything wrong about life including going to war. That said to all of u who comdem homosexuality rather than lust which we all fall into, in our everyday life. Did u not also read the part whic say that if thou be without sin, he should be the first to cast the first stone? How there u judge this ppl and conclude upon their lives even when God hasn't. I am a charismatic presbyterian but many Presbyterians don't evn know what that means coz they still live in the age of doctrine. Call homosexuality a sin, genetic mutation, punishment or what ever but i will tell u this; it is not by choice that this guys and girls feel the way they do. It is a tremendous gift of life; healthy as much as a heterosexual can be. Can we talk about saving lives and fixing the disfunctional nature of most of our systems rather trying to perfect God's creations? Thanks.
"I completely agree with the principle of your argument, however, "Southern Baptists" do not believe..."
Of this I am aware. It tends to be a 'regional' thing, though one is hard-pressed to find 'true' "Southern Baptists" outside of the south. As well - my comment did not include Southern Baptists as 'all-inclusive'. The ones I have experienced either in or from the 'back-woods' of the south, however, are firmly against it. The majority that I have met outside of that realm, however, 'are' Southern Baptist because that's what the sign in front of the church says... and tend to flow with many Protestant denominations in the acceptance of the babbling.
But we are off-topic. ;)
SSG Dwyer
So your saying that that couple is in a fake marriage and would not get anything out of the retreat? And if you enjoy them and get so much from them why would you stop if that couple was in the retreat with you? Is it not about you and your wife and building your relationship? Not so sure what your meaning about a "Real" marriage??
"Strong Bonds is a unit-based, chaplain-led program which
assists commanders in building individual resiliency by strengthening
the Army Family. The core mission of the Strong Bonds program is to
increase individual Soldier and Family member readiness through
relationship education and skills training.
Strong Bonds is conducted in an offsite retreat format in order to
maximize the training effect. The retreat or “get away” provides a fun,
safe, and secure environment in which to address the impact of
relocations, deployments, and military lifestyle stressors."
-http://www.strongbonds.org/skins/strongbonds/home.aspx
Nowhere on the site for Strong Bonds does it specify that the retreat is for man-woman couples only. There are several different programs, such as Strong Bonds for single Soldiers, Strong Bonds for Couples and Strong Bonds for Families. None of which discriminate against same-sex couples (at least according to the website). I've seen a couple of other comments the state the retreat is focused on man-wife couples and the difficulties between the two in a relationship, but i cannot find any information that specifies it is meant for traditional couples only. It states that it is for married couples. The chaplain made a religious call that discriminated against service members that should have been afforded the opportunity to attend.
If he pisses off his denomination, he gets kicked out of the Army because he can no longer be a chaplain. He can no longer get a job either.
It is the safest thing for a Chaplain to do, is follow the rules and regulations of their religion over military rules.