NAE Appeals to Army Chief on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
The following is an open letter form the Executive Director of National Association of Evangelicals Chaplains Commission, Paul Vacalvi, to the Army Chief of Chaplains.
February 2, 2010
Chaplain (Major General) Douglas Carver
United States Army Chief of Chaplains
HQDA (DACH)
2700 Army Pentagon (Room 2A514A)
Washington, DC 20310-2700
SUBJECT: Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and Practicing Homosexuals Serving in the Military
Dear Chaplain Carver:
The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) represents and serves a diverse body of over 40 Evangelical denominations, plus thousands of individual churches, organizations, universities, and individuals. The National Association of Evangelicals Chaplains Commission (NAECC) represents well over 1000 chaplains serving in our military today. As their representative, I am writing you today to express our deepest concern over the possibility that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy currently in effect will be repealed and that practicing homosexuals will be allowed and encouraged to join and serve in our Armed Forces.
In 1985 the NAE affirmed that “the sexual relationship between a man and a woman within the bounds of marriage is something natural and beautiful” and that “homosexual activity, like adulterous relationships, is clearly condemned in Scriptures”. In addition, we affirmed that “the Bible records God’s historic judgment on societies characterized by this deviant behavior”. Romans 1: 26-27 clearly teaches that the practice of homosexuality is a degrading and unnatural passion. First Corinthians 6: 9-10 identifies the practice of homosexuality as a sin that brings grave consequences.
In 1993 the NAE noted that “The incidences and effects of homosexual promiscuity have been documented. . . and the exponentially exploding medical dangers and financial costs of such activity are of grave concern.” The abundance of occurrences of HIV/Aids among homosexuals is well documented and the dangers of close proximity in combat and the potential immediate need to donate blood to save a comrade without going through the extensive tests that are available in peaceful conditions is of grave concern.
In 2004 the NAE affirmed that “We believe that homosexuality is not an inherited condition in the same category as race, gender, or national origin, all of which are free from moral implication. We believe that homosexuality is a deviation from the Creator’s plan for human sexuality.” We also affirmed that homosexuals can be forgiven, cleansed and healed of their behavior and be restored to healthy and godly living. We called on “pastors and theologians, along with medical and sociological specialists with the Christian community to expand research on the factors which give rise to homosexuality and to develop therapy, pastoral care and congregational support leading to complete restoration”.
We now once again affirm the beliefs stated above. We believe that the military services have been created to serve for the good of our Nation and not to be a social experiment or testing ground for society at large. We believe that allowing those that practice deviant and potentially harmful behavior are a threat to our national security and the well being of our Country, no matter how “popular” the behavior may be.
We understand that homosexual activists are pressing their claims that our society should view homosexuality and heterosexuality as morally equivalent. They also appeal to emotions by giving numerous stories of “closet” homosexuals who have served honorably in our military without incident. Although we would not deny their faithful service, we cannot condone their behavior just like we would not condone the behavior of an adulterer who serves with honor.
We affirm that any Presidential or Congressional action that would lift the ban against practicing homosexuals serving in our military would defy the moral law of God and the standards of natural law and would ultimately subvert the good order and discipline in the military and undermine its integrity ultimately precluding many young adults from volunteering for military service.
We implore you, therefore, for the good of our Nation and our military to provide counsel to your Service Chief of Staff and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to petition our President and Congress to continue to deny those who practice homosexuality to serve in our Armed Services.
As the senior representative of the chaplains that we endorse, and the Service members that we love, we urge you to speak to this issue of utmost importance with integrity and moral courage.
Cordially Yours,
Chaplain (Colonel) Paul L. Vicalvi, United States Army, Retired
Executive Director
National Association of Evangelicals Chaplains Commission
