Timothy Broglio, the Archbishop for the Military Services in the USA is against the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. In his post Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Implemented Kelly J. Wilson believes that “The Archbishop is on the wrong side of this issue.”
I happen to differ and believe that the Archbishop is on the right side of this issue.
Focusing on one’s sexual orientation has no place in the military. The military is for defense of one’s nation and should not play politics with one’s sexual orientation. What is the need for either homosexuals or heterosexuals to display their sexual escapades openly while serving overseas?
Here is what the Catechism has to say on homosexuality:
Chastity and homosexuality
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.”142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
The focus is clearly on chastity. Why do homosexuals need to “come out” while serving in the military if they are going to live chaste lives? The problem is that the majority in the military who are openly homosexual are not living chaste lives.
Kelly Wilson stated: “Have the ‘moral beliefs of individuals [and] their living conditions’ really been sacrificed as the Archbishop suggests? I wouldn’t think so. A Catholic service man or service woman is not being asked to cease to believe what the Church believes, and if such a person is really so inconvenienced in his or her ‘living conditions’ merely because a known homosexual person lives and sleeps in close proximity, then perhaps it is time for that service person to either grow up, or find employment elsewhere.”
But can they really express Catholic beliefs openly 24/7 on homosexuality or any other issue?
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a happy medium between the time prior to its implementation where homosexuals were sought out and dismissed by the military and now where there are fears of discrimination directed at those with religious beliefs who speak out against homosexuality and homosexual acts. This is a threat to every Americans religious freedom. This is what liberals (or non-traditionalists) like Kelly Wilson don’t understand, what they perceive to be “fair” has far-reaching harmful implications and actually causes discrimination and “Christianophobia”. In fact, yes, they are being asked to cease their beliefs on homosexuality. Since the military has threatened the chaplains what makes you think that they won’t pressure and threaten servicemen to switch their beliefs? The military is even threatening to court-martial chaplains who speak out against homosexuality.
When you recognize homosexuals and allow them to declare their homosexuality openly you are in effect approving of their homosexual acts.
Rick Santorum answered a question on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” during the last GOP debate and his answer is spot on (embedding is unfortunately disabled).
Here is a video showing that Rick Santorum does indeed support all soldiers including Stephen Hill, the homosexual soldier who asked the question at the debate.
I’m counting the days until I’m out.
Trestin,
I hope you don’t have to serve in the military too much longer.
This is just plain nuts. When have gays ‘come out’? All they did was live their lives in accord with their own nature, just like we straights do. And for that, those who DID focus on sexual orientation got them kicked out. This article is an exercise in hypocrisy! And if gays are called to ‘chaste’ lives, how many straight young, healthy people does our isolated archbishop think are living lives of chastity? Not many! This is so divorced from reality that it would be risible, if it weren’t so tragic.
“All they did was live their lives in accord with their own nature, just like we straights do.” Wrong. Homosexuals are going against their very nature and not following the natural law. Straights didn’t go out lobbying to have their sex life put on display. Before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” yes, homosexuals were thrown out even if they kept quiet but under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” gays could serve honorably without having to be noticed for being “homosexual”. Why do they have to let the military know what type of sexuality they prefer? If homosexuals aren’t living chaste lives that is because so many perceive an abnormal action as “normal” when it isn’t. Homosexuals acts are disordered but our society is so morally bankrupt people are blind to that fact. Now you would have those who speak the truth about homosexuality or have a different opinion be persecuted and be labeled “bigots”. That in and of itself is bigotry.
Theresa, the solution is for you to mind your own business. Unless you want yor sexual life to be public property, being gay is a matter of personal preference. You have YOUR opinion about ‘nature’ which, like all bigots, is ignorant and uninformed. Yeah, you’re a bigot. And proof of that is you think those who speak truth are bigots
Your statement shows your utter ignorance on this subject, especially with your ad hominem attacks. That proves you have no case and no basis for your assertions. Are you for alcoholism? bi-polar disorder? Do you think that they are disorders? If so, how is it possible for you to support and respect the person and denounce the disease at the same time? According to you we all have to agree that the homosexual acts aren’t disordered when it is a matter of fact that they are in fact disordered and to you it is impossible to love the person but hate the disorder. You are the person denying reality and is relying on ad hominem attacks instead of actually being able to argue certain points.
Is it possible for two homosexuals to procreate naturally? When you can answer yes to that then their sexual acts won’t be disordered or violate the natural law. I doubt you even know the definition of natural law.
It is obvious that it is an impossibility for you to be respectful while disagreeing with others on a topic.
Theresa thinks of human beings as machines who are nothing but breeders. Such is the view of humans by bigots. “Natural law”? Bet you don’t know what this is.
Even a casual reader of this blog would know that Teresa is quite familiar with Natural Law as a moral philosophy. OTOH, no one who thinks that machines breed has a fucking clue about nature or Natural Law. When you want to know what a leftist nut is up to, watch what he accuses others of, especially when they start throwing the word “bigot” around.
You either stop making false accusations or you are no longer welcome at my site. You are the one who is blind to reality and is harming society.
Harming society? Uh, how? All you have to do is tell me HOW gays harm society. BIGOTRY KILLS. Being gay does not. Go ahead ban me from your site. You’re STILL going to be a bigot.
@ bpuharic
You ARE banned, but you calling someone a bigot doesn’t her one. You are dead wrong and a loser. Schlep your sorry ass the hell away from my blog, loser.
Having openly homosexuals serve in the military will adversely effect good order and discipline. The purpose of the military is degraded by this celebration of disordered life styles.
Robb
US Army-Retired
All Robb has to do to make his case is present evidence. There isn’t any. So instead of logic, evidence, data, etc., we get…um….well bigotry. Fine. We already knew that was what the wrong side was going to argue. Good luck with that, Robb.
You are absolutely right, Robb. Thank you for your service to our country.
Take this with “what-ever” The policy of DADT was revolutionary! It ALLOWED homosexuals to serve. No more “witch-hunts” no more “rumors.”
What would get you “kicked out” was not the slip with co-workers about your “living and bedroom arrangements,” but attending things like some of the street fairs in SF complete with open air sexual activity.
I am be retired, but “PDA” (public displays of affection) are just as forbidden to heterosexuals as to homosexuals. There are the “allowed” rare occurrence, like at a farewell or welcome home; but none of this, standing in the corner both in uniform and engaging in activities like getting to “second or third base.”
Something I have encountered more than once at a “gay-friendly” work environment.
One of the problems with the military? The general promiscuity, not the sexual orientation of individuals. As a supervisor, I was NEVER concerned about “living arrangements” than about being able to reach one of my troops if we had a recall. I really did not care about whom they had “friendships” with, as long as those little conflicts were kept, out-side of the working environment.
And yes, the better Airman (I was USAF) were also usually the ones with “self-control” and “self-discipline.” In other words… “chaste.”
Excellent comment, Sandra. I am in full agreement with you.
Thank you for your service to our country.
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Fantastic post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thank you!