Freedom of Conscience in the Army?
Americans’ right to freedom of conscience is Constitutional and non-negotiable. With that in view, the law requires each chaplain to fulfill their duties without violating their conscience or the tenets of the specific faith-group that endorses their chaplaincy. Unfortunately, Chaplain Scott Squires is being subjected to a meandering investigation that could set a precedent for stripping all chaplains of their fundamental legal protections
That is the opening statement in a news release from Georgia’s 9th District Congressman Doug Collins on the continuing case of Chaplain Scott Squires who faces potential disciplinary action by the United States Army for adhering to his church’s religious teaching on marriage.
Disciplinary action began against Squires because he could not conduct a Strong Bonds marriage retreat with same-sex couples due to the requirements of his chaplain-endorsing agency, the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Squires had successfully ensured the soldier was placed in the next available Strong Bonds retreat conducted by another chaplain without restrictions, but the investigator concluded Squires’ conduct was discriminatory, and recommended that Squires be reprimanded.
Congressman Collins, himself a Chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, concluded:
The process surrounding this investigation remains extremely concerning, and Army officials now have the opportunity to deliver a swift, fair resolution after months of prolonging the case.
About Author
IrishPat
Patrick Malone is a Business Advisor and Leadership Mentor headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. He co-hosts Mountain Daybreak and Mountain Mornings, weekday news programs, and hosts This Week in Blairsville a weekend program on WJUL/WJRB. He is a mentor in Union County High School, serves on his church council and writes a monthly column on leadership in the animal healthcare industry.
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About 90 days from the general election… guns, gays and immigration; more, we’re victims I say, and less, the campaign in ten words.
From the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention:
“If we truly believe that Christ died for all and that He desires for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2:4) we need to be aware of harmful practices to avoid as we extend the gospel in Jesus’ name. Here are some big ones:
Ranking sin- The Bible does teach that sexual sin carries heavier scars as a consequence. But that is true of all sexual sin. We need to rebuke all self-righteousness within our ranks that categorizes homosexuality as any more offensive to God’s holy standard than lust, pornographic addiction, adultery, fornication, and divorce. It’s easy to look down on those who struggle with something if you don’t. But we must remember the sin in the mirror is just as vile to God. Ranking sin harms.
Hateful language- There is no place among God’s bride for harmful or disgusting homophobic epithets. “Gay” is an adjective, not a noun. I won’t give examples, but you know the words I’m talking about. Remember that people are precious to God and deserve to be given respect and dignity. Not speaking up and rebuking this kind of foul talk is just as bad as engaging in it. This includes social media and political forums. Hateful language harms.
Ignorance- Sexuality is all wrapped up in our identity. That is why this is so sensitive and so complicated. This is why it hurts so bad when people feel we have condemned them. We need to get to know and befriend unconditionally people who are different from us. We then realize we have more in common than we thought possible. We need to stop judging the feelings, motives and desires people have, however corrupted by the fall. Instead, we must address their hearts and actions with the gospel, through the saving relationship Jesus offers. And we do this as we unashamedly call all men to repent and surrender to His Lordship. Same sex attraction may be a lifelong struggle, but it does not have to preclude a Christian walk that pleases God anymore than a heterosexual lifelong struggle with and propensity to lust does. The sanctification process is God’s job. Ignorance harms.
Letter of the Law- Each church will have its own bi-laws and policies for church membership. No body of believers should base membership on perfection, but nor should it be extended to individuals who have no intention of fleeing immorality or insist on practicing sin. That would sully the Bride. But it is important to keep doors open. It is important to keep communication going and always welcoming. Never tear down a bridge back to God’s grace. Let’s make our fellowship a safe place to confess struggles and honest questions in the fear of God. Bear with one-another. Pray for one another. Encourage one another. But never allow someone to be shamed. Shame is the Devil’s tool. Jesus and His people cover shame and replace it with unconditional love in grace and truth. Legalism harms.
There is no way to prevent truth from hurting, but God is redemptive in everything He does. We should not cut off the flow of that redemptive work by inflicting harm either through judgmental pride, ignorance or fear of the world. If we are ever going to reach our world, we are going to have to reach across those lines we drew in the sand and extend a humble and harmless hand of Jesus’ Love. ”
https://www.namb.net/planter-wives-blog/do-no-harm/
It appears the chaplain does not follow the guidance of his sponsoring agency.
According to an Army Times report, Squires actions followed “the requirements of his chaplain endorsing agency, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention.”
Squires is represented by lawyers from First Liberty Institute. According to wikipedia, FLI won a judgement against the state of Georgia for wrongfully dismissing a doctor who was also a Seventh-Day Adventist lay minister after reviewing some of his sermons and religious speeches. I have a vague recollection of all this.
https://www.armytimes.com/news/2018/04/19/army-chaplain-faces-same-sex-discrimination-claim-lawyer-says-he-was-following-army-guidance/