Homosexuality in the Military
by Jack B. Slimp, Jr. Vol. VI, No. 8, October 1993
[Jack Slimp is a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Manassas.]
I agree with the reasoning of General Colin Powell, retired General Norman Swartzkopf, and other military leaders that the ban on homosexuals should be maintained. I also believe that there should be greater emphasis on the most fundamental and compelling reason – obedience to the laws and decrees of our Almighty Creator. Do not forget that a basic justification of military force is to defend and fight for national principles and values. The "gay" issue is about values and behavior, not race, creed, or gender.
This nation was founded on the moral standards of Judeo-Christian values as set forth in the Bible. Our nation's charter documents clearly reveal this to be so. Even the Declaration of Independence states it is made "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence." A strong foundation on godly values was the basis for our Constitution and laws. They were based on the precept that the individual would be responsible and accountable to society by first being responsible and accountable to God. Upon that foundation the United States became the "land of the free and the home of the brave" – the greatest society the world has ever known. As the Scriptures state in Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation."
A large book could be filled with examples of executive actions, Supreme court rulings, and legislation which confirm the USA to be a nation deeply founded upon and guided by biblical principles. For example, in 1777 Congress ordered 20,000 Bibles imported to the United States. For example, President Thomas Jefferson ordered Bibles for the schools of Virginia and for distribution to the Indians. For example, our National Anthem's concluding stanza declares "In God is our trust." For example, in Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States in 1892, the Supreme Court ruled that "our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian" and that "this is a Christian nation." For example, in 1954 Congress changed the Pledge of Allegiance to "one nation under God."
However, as this nation's government turns away from God and the Christian standards upon which our laws are founded, we are developing problems that are only becoming worse. We are now worse in crime, lawsuits, divorce, out-of-wedlock births, pornography, teen sex, drug use, and vulgarity, meanwhile, there is less public education on virtuous character. In addition to unprecedented anti-Christian Supreme court rulings (commencing in the 1960s), our government has supported various laws which undermine our traditional Judeo-Christian work ethic, family unity, and moral fiber.
Therefore, we must remain valiantly on guard against laws and government actions which may further promote a shift away from our godly heritage. As Daniel Webster explained in 1851, "Lastly, our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment. Moral habits, they believed, cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principle, nor any government be secure which is not supported by moral habits."
In this regard, we should understand that laws which promote homosexuality are clearly contrary to the laws of God. Certainly we must be willing to help the homosexual overcome his addiction, but before we can do that, we must recognize the addiction as wrong. As a nation that largely professes Christianity, we should be aware that the following passages of Scripture unequivocally declare that God looks at homosexuality as detestable and wrong. (NIV)
Leviticus 18:22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.
Romans 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ... 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. ... 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
We must understand that laws which favor homosexuality, so that it is sanctioned or endorsed, are laws that contradict the Word of God. Also, such laws will effectively declare that man/wife marriages are no better than the relationships of homosexuals. A deep knife will be plunged in the heart of family values if the homosexual lifestyle is endorsed or encouraged or recognized as being equal to the God-ordained union of man and wife. A message will be sent to citizens of this country that good morals are not important. Furthermore, any laws which prevent homosexuality from being referenced as "perversion" or "sinful" are laws that censure free speech and the word of God. If that happens, the foundations of this nation will certainly crumble. They are cracking already! Righteous people will be afraid to speak out for fear of being sued or arrested. The unrighteous will flaunt their despicable practices without shame – the Gay Rights march on 25 April 1993 in D.C. is just a sample (did you see the gross nudity, hear the four letter words, and watch the offensive performances?)! A tidal wave of apprehension and immorality will ensue.
Laws that condone or sanction homosexuality will anger and frustrate millions of Americans by elevating an ungodly practice to a status that is put on an "equal" (or favored) basis compared to traditional values. Moreover, such policy, laws, law enforcement, and benefits would be provided at the expense of moral taxpayers. And, homosexuals might be encouraged to be even more militant and demanding. They have increasingly exhibited great anger against Christians who uphold purity and the Word of God. Many homosexuals would like to be able to sue people for "discrimination" against them. If special decrees and laws enhancing their status are enacted, they will surely harass people who decry the immorality of homosexuality. The nation will bubble and boil unceasingly.
Ben Franklin said, "He who shall introduce into public affairs the principles of [basic] Christianity, will revolutionize the world." Our forefathers did just that. As Noah Webster exclaimed, "The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles ... to this we owe our free constitutions of government." Today, those principles need to be re-emphasized, not destroyed! As the prophet Isaiah said, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil" (Isaiah 5:50).