In what is likely an unsurprising result, the review authority has recommended PFC Bradley Manning, accused of disseminating hundreds of thousands of classified documents, face a general court-martial.
Lt. Col. Paul Almanza’s recommendation to try Pfc. Bradley Manning on all 22 counts, including aiding the enemy, now goes Read more
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary‘s Institute for Faith and the Public Square recently hosted an aptly named conference on chaplains in the US military:
Chaplaincy: Ministering in Caesar’s House
“There is a growing negative atmosphere toward evangelical Christianity,” said Lloyd Harsch, church history professor and institute director. “Under the guise of tolerance, everyone who holds a religiously informed position is now viewed as suspect because they’re [considered] intolerant.”
A panel specifically on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal included retired Chaplain (MajGen) Douglas Carver, former Army Chief of Chaplains. Carver specifically noted Read more
The Fort Bragg command chaplain’s office hosted the latest meeting of Strong Bonds, the chaplain-based marriage strengthening retreats intended to help troops on the homefront.
“It’s especially critical for military personnel in that it’s difficult enough being in a relationship with someone, but when you take the dynamics of the military, the Army, the separation, the work stress, the long hours from time to time, that puts additional stress on relationships,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Ralph Clark…
The chaplains host 8 such seminars every year, and are based on a variety of relationship models: Read more
While Canada’s acceptance of homosexuality was occasionally held up as a contrast to their southern cousins in the United States, it seems Canada hasn’t worked out all the moral issues associated with “sexual freedom,” either.
In late November British Columbia’s superior trial court upheld Canada’s law banning polygamy and polyamory.
Interestingly, the court found that such prohibitions did violate the religious liberty of some groups — including some Mormons, Muslims, and Wiccans — but the law Read more
Have a productive and joyful 2012.
The Top 10 articles from God and Country in 2011:
While those were the top 10 current events articles in 2011, they were not the top-visited pages on the site. As noted Read more
The Article 32 hearing which will determine the future course of a trial against imprisoned US Army PFC Bradley Manning — accused of releasing classified documents — recently began, about 18 months after he was initially arrested. Manning faces life in prison.
Defense lawyer David Coombs, reportedly known for his “unique” defense strategies, has already tried and failed in its attempt to have the military judge replaced. He also had many witnesses denied; he was supposedly going to question the Read more
Everyone already knows versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 remove the prohibitions on sodomy and bestiality (since reinstated), have amendments on homosexual marriage, and redefine rape. It’s also known President Obama originally vowed to veto it over language on detainee treatment.
In yet another section of the now-passed bill, an amendment by Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran of Kansas successfully inserted language that would award the Medal of Honor to Chaplain (Capt) Emil Kapaun. (The House version had an identical amendment by Rep. Mike Pompeo.) Chaplain Kapaun is famous for Read more
Though the trend is arguably decades old, recent court cases and public events have demonstrated the apparent moral (and legal) confusion over sexual behavior in the United States (and elsewhere). Of course, when right and wrong are decided by the tide of opinion and relativism, it’s not unforeseeable. As noted below, the US Congress is even trying to redefine “rape” in the military context.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a denial of a habeas corpus petition by Paul Lowe, a man charged with adult incest with his 22-year-old step-daughter (Lowe v. Stark County Sherriff, No. 09-3942 (6th Cir. Dec. 8, 2011)). The decision cites a wide variety of cases, some supporting his position and many not. The court ultimately decided (as have others) there is no fundamental right to sexual conduct, even private behavior between consenting adults.
The court also said Lowe’s complaints the law was “morality-based” were Read more