In the ensuing discussions about Chaplain Sonny Hernandez’s article on transgenderism and the military chaplaincy, Tom Carpenter of the Forum on the Military Chaplaincy tried to claim a moral high ground, saying the Christian beliefs expressed by Chaplain Hernandez might “bring down” and “lead to the dismantling of the military chaplaincy”:

Sonny: I sincerely fear people like you and the Christian Fighter Pilot are going to bring down the military chaplaincy. And that would be a real tragedy for our men and women in the uniform.

I caution you to be careful your conduct and words do not lead to the dismantling of the military chaplaincy. That would be a tragedy to our service members who really need support and guidance.

Tom Carpenter simultaneously describes himself as a Christian and a homosexual. Despite a statement that his Forum supports “free and diverse religious expression,” he has previously stated that military chaplains who do not affirm the homosexual lifestyle — that is, those who have a “religious expression” that is diverse from his own — need to “return to civilian life.”

Interesting, too, was who “liked” Carpenter’s comment — though she was otherwise silent:

Ashley Broadway is the woman who famously decried not being allowed to join a military spouses’ group because she wasn’t a military spouse — even though she didn’t want to join, she was ‘just making a point.’ Similar to Carpenter, Broadway has also claimed she was both a “devout Christian” and a homosexual. In her public role as part of the American Military Partner Association, she has derided Christian chaplains who do not support homosexuality as “hypocrites” who “deny services to our families” because of their religious beliefs — though neither she nor her group have ever actually cited a case of a chaplain denying services to anyone.

To be clear: Two homosexual activists who are “Christians” that support “diversity” believe military chaplains shouldn’t be able to either exercise their faiths — and that chaplains shouldn’t be allowed to protect the religious liberty of military troops who share their theology.

And yet those two homosexual activists think it’s those Christians who may “bring down the chaplaincy.”

Project much?

Activists like Carpenter and Broadway would require Christian, Muslim, and Jewish troops to affirm homosexuality, even if to do so would violate the tenets of their faith. (Sexuality trumps religion, apparently.)  Or, one step further, Carpenter and Broadway would simply prohibit men and women of those faiths from serving in the US military at all.

In other words, they’re advocating a “religious test” for military service.

Ironically, in “pushing” this ideology, they are “forcing their beliefs” on those who don’t agree — something they accused Christians of doing previously. Of course, Christians are the ones advocating liberty, and haven’t similarly called for the government to restrict chaplains or troops.

Broadway and Carpenter would neuter the religious beliefs of both the chaplaincy and US troops, in essence creating a “middle of the road” inoffensive civil religion within the military. At that point, the religious culture within the US military would be nothing more than a lukewarm faith.

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth…

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Revelation 7:14-16, 19

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