Christian Chaplain Threatend Over Pro-Christian Facebook Post

[The Baron]

“For those fearing alleged crackdowns on military personnel who support traditional marriage, an unnamed soldier’s story will raise some eyebrows.

A female Army chaplain’s assistant recently came forward, telling conservative commentator Todd Starnes that she was reprimanded for posting a message on her personal Facebook page. In it, she called homosexuality a sin and spoke out against pastors who support same-sexrelationships…

…as a result of her post, she was accused of creating an environment that was both hostile and antagonistic. But the boldest claim she makes is that her commander gave her a choice: Either take the message down or be knocked down in both rank and pay.”

So a couple of concerns are expressed in this article.

1. Can someone in the military be denied their 1[SUP]st[/SUP] Amendment Rights to free speech when they are not representing the military?

2. In light of DOMA being struck down by the Supreme Court what happens to Christian Chaplains who support only the traditional view of marriage (between one man and one woman) and refuse to lead a same-sex “marriage” ceremony?

 

[Manc Skipper]

Here we have another martyr wannabe wrapping herself in victimhood in defence of her bigotry.

 

[Paschendale]

I seem to remember plenty of conservatives arguing that soldiers shouldn't be expressing political views when they were espousing left wing ones. No consistency, huh?

 

[winston53660]

An unnamed soldier?

 

[The Baron]

Here we have another martyr wannabe wrapping herself in victimhood in defence of her bigotry.

Christianity is not bigotry. It is a moral standard.

I seem to remember plenty of conservatives arguing that soldiers shouldn't be expressing political views when they were espousing left wing ones. No consistency, huh?

The difference is you used to have soldiers--in uniform--publically come out as gay, marching on parades, appearing on the TV news to present their “brave story”, etc.

This woman posted a comment on Facebook and wasn’t pretending to represent the military. She did not evoke images of the military in her post…she didn’t even mention the military and was acting well within her First Amendment Rights.

Big difference.

 

[Manc Skipper]

Bigotry is bigotry, and excusing it with pre-Christain BS is all too common. Jesus was so concerned about the "problem" he never ever addressed it. He was really concerned about trespassing though, he gave it two mentions in the Lord's prayer. Was trespass a huge problem back then, do you think? Worse than homosexuality?

 

[Rainman05]

But the boldest claim she makes is that her commander gave her a choice:Either take the message down or be knocked down in both rank and pay.

As an evangelical Christian, though, she’s refusing to remove it.

She's an evangelical. Honestly, if military doctrine is to start permitting homosexuals to join the military (openly, without persecution), then why do these people continue to fight this fight on religious footing. The military is not a religious institution nor does it bend to the will of the Church. Any Church of any kind.

 

[rathi]

There are gay soldiers in the U.S. military. Making public disparaging comments against their sexual orientation is definitely creating a hostile and antagonistic environment. The real question is whether statements made on facebook are considered public or not.

 

[Stewart]

Does 1st amendment rights apply in this case?

Wouldn't there exist between a soldier and the army a private culture.

 

[Stewart]

On second thoughts, yes they do.

 

[Ikari]

“For those fearing alleged crackdowns on military personnel who support traditional marriage, an unnamed soldier’s story will raise some eyebrows.

A female Army chaplain’s assistant recently came forward, telling conservative commentator Todd Starnes that she was reprimanded for posting a message on her personal Facebook page. In it, she called homosexuality a sin and spoke out against pastors who support same-sexrelationships…

…as a result of her post, she was accused of creating an environment that was both hostile and antagonistic. But the boldest claim she makes is that her commander gave her a choice: Either take the message down or be knocked down in both rank and pay.”

So a couple of concerns are expressed in this article.

1. Can someone in the military be denied their 1[SUP]st[/SUP] Amendment Rights to free speech when they are not representing the military?

2. In light of DOMA being struck down by the Supreme Court what happens to Christian Chaplains who support only the traditional view of marriage (between one man and one woman) and refuse to lead a same-sex “marriage” ceremony?

Well at least she didn't get Tillman-ed.

 

[CRUE CAB]

Here we have another martyr wannabe wrapping herself in victimhood in defence of her bigotry.

You parrot what your commanders and your commander in chief say and do. Period. Free thinking in the military is un welcome and will have dire concequences.
Facebook, bumber stickers, My space? All that is off limits to the first amendment if you are in the military.
Be warned.

 

[CRUE CAB]

There are gay soldiers in the U.S. military. Making public disparaging comments against their sexual orientation is definitely creating a hostile and antagonistic environment. The real question is whether statements made on facebook are considered public or not.

Making any statement about it, face to face, electronically, out loud, print and probably in the privacy of your off base housing is probably grounds for punishment.
You accept the gay lifestyle as a full and equal partner in the world of the military or you will be outted as a bigot.
There is not quarter in the gay fight. Stay and keep quite, or retire, not re up, or face a courtmartial. Its up to you as soldier to accept them.
If not, you will find yourself a civilian pretty damn quick.

 

[The Baron]

Well at least she didn't get Tillman-ed.

Well, she's a chaplain's assistant...not sure she's gonna see much action.

 

[The Baron]

Bigotry is bigotry…

And yours is on full display.

Jesus was so concerned about the "problem" he never ever addressed it.

You don’t know that.

He was really concerned about trespassing though, he gave it two mentions in the Lord's prayer. Was trespass a huge problem back then, do you think? Worse than homosexuality?

Trespassing?

Really?

That’s the best you can do?

 

[The Baron]

She's an evangelical. Honestly, if military doctrine is to start permitting homosexuals to join the military (openly, without persecution), then why do these people continue to fight this fight on religious footing. The military is not a religious institution nor does it bend to the will of the Church. Any Church of any kind.

And yet it has employed Christain Chaplains throughout it's history and have begged for the favor of God through prayer.

Odd.

 

[Rod Knox]

Well, she's a chaplain's assistant...not sure she's gonna see much action.

Forty years ago my chaplain's assistant rated a medal for his actions but his CC traded burying a past bust for marijuana for letting his actions that saved a dozen men get ignored. Chaplains were at the forward positions then and their assistant was their driver. I guess they are now.

 

[Hard Truth]

In my opinion, all workers have the right to express their opinions publicly or engage in other first amendment protected activity while off-duty, as long as they do not appear to represent their employers. That should apply to government workers, including military personnel.

Despite my wisdom, that right is not respected by many employers, including the military. There have been several other cases when off-duty military (also police, firefighters and teachers) have been disciplined or fired for expressing their opinions while off duty.

 

[CRUE CAB]

And yours is on full display.



You don’t know that.



Trespassing?

Really?

That’s the best you can do?

"forgive those who trespass against us"

 

[The Baron]

Forty years ago my chaplain's assistant rated a medal for his actions but his CC traded burying a past bust for marijuana for letting his actions that saved a dozen men get ignored. Chaplains were at the forward positions then and their assistant was their driver. I guess they are now.

Wow! I'd heard some stories about Chaplains being "in deep" but didn't realize it was so common.

Cool story.

 

[The Baron]

"forgive those who trespass against us"

Exactly how is this applicable to the topic?

 

[CRUE CAB]

Exactly how is this applicable to the topic?

Think about it.

 

[LowDown]

“For those fearing alleged crackdowns on military personnel who support traditional marriage, an unnamed soldier’s story will raise some eyebrows.

A female Army chaplain’s assistant recently came forward, telling conservative commentator Todd Starnes that she was reprimanded for posting a message on her personal Facebook page. In it, she called homosexuality a sin and spoke out against pastors who support same-sexrelationships…

…as a result of her post, she was accused of creating an environment that was both hostile and antagonistic. But the boldest claim she makes is that her commander gave her a choice: Either take the message down or be knocked down in both rank and pay.”

So a couple of concerns are expressed in this article.

1. Can someone in the military be denied their 1[SUP]st[/SUP] Amendment Rights to free speech when they are not representing the military?

2. In light of DOMA being struck down by the Supreme Court what happens to Christian Chaplains who support only the traditional view of marriage (between one man and one woman) and refuse to lead a same-sex “marriage” ceremony?

She's a military person and doesn't have 1st amendment rights if it conflicts with her commander. Anything that interferes with good order and discipline is verboten.

 

[Dr. Chuckles]

In it, she called homosexuality a sin and spoke out against pastors who support same-sexrelationships

not what I would traditionally consider a "pro-christian" post.

 

[Dr. Chuckles]

I seem to remember plenty of conservatives arguing that soldiers shouldn't be expressing political views when they were espousing left wing ones. No consistency, huh?

Yeah, this goes well beyond general advocacy for a religion and steps into the realm of controversial and heated political positions. Naturally your views on if the later should be allowed in the above circumstances may vary