(CNN) - Hours before the Senate Armed Services Committee passed a measure Thursday that would repeal "don't ask, don't tell," a group of pastors, priests and rabbis gathered in the Capitol to encourage lawmakers to retain the ban on gays in the military.
The group opened the press conference with prayer, asking for God to bless their efforts and to soften the hearts of senators and congressmen to their position.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who co-sponsored the presser, said repealing "don't ask, don't tell" could undermine the religious liberties of those serving in the military, particularly military chaplains.
“You have over 200 sponsoring organizations that may be prevented from sponsoring chaplains because they hold orthodox Christian views that will be in conflict with what the military says is stated policy,” said Perkins.
Full story on CNN.com's Belief blog
From CNN Politics
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What a bunch of tools. They are actually wanting the right to continue the intolerance and hatred that organized religion has had for a long time. Shame on you all. Tony Perkins is such a closet case! He sounds an awful lot like Larry "Toe Tapping" Craig! Remember that one folks?
I am glad that in this country we are supposed to have seperation of church and state. It's about time to live up to it. People who want to serve should not be blocked or removed just because it makes people with closed minds and open mouths uncomfortable.
separation of church and state! – not everyone is as weak-minded to have succumb to the evil cult of christianity – Perkins will burn in that hell he so believes in
On the don't ask don't tell policy there is a military legal obstacle. In most states, countries, and in accordance with the UMCJ (article 125) sodomy is a crime. It would also be an equal opportunity issue because females would not be perused for prosecution for their sexual preference. So how do you repeal a law you can’t enforce equally?
It would undermine their religious liberty.... to discriminate. Thats pretty weak....
These pastors, priests, rabbis, imams are wankers! Must they pontificate?
How touching. A hate group asking God to soften people's hearts, and be more open to hating the people they hate. Then they go on to whine about their liberty to freely hate someone?
Grow up losers!
“You have over 200 sponsoring organizations that may be prevented from sponsoring chaplains because they hold orthodox Christian views that will be in conflict with what the military says is stated policy,” said Perkins.
ummm...the military trains people to fight in wars and kill people...isn't that more against orthodox Christian views then allowing gays to serve in the military?
They won't be prevented from sponsoring chaplains. They will choose not to based on their views. While it is their absolute right to have these views, they have no rights to foist their views on others.
Good...get the churches off of the bases and let our service members decide where they want to worship in a non-government sponsored environment! As to war situations, wherever two or more are gathered in His name works for me. And, yes, I did serve!
I thought religion was about loving thy neighbor, not condemming those whose beliefs, gender, race and sexual orientation, kindness, and an open mind.
Only rhe radical right think as these people do.
Now I've heard it all.
nice threat
these orthodox unpatriots can hate the military all they want, we will still protect them
Their prayers weren't answered. Wonder what that means...
Democrats don't believe in religion, only moral relativism.
sorry people ... it doesnt matter to these politicans ,,,they have no moral compass... its just like the morals in days of Rome,,, we will rot and decay form with in,,,,, drip,,,,drip,,,,drip,,,,drip,,,
There are gays in the military now.
This is a joke, for the most part the protestant chaplains are fair to middling. IF you have a Bible thumper, then you really have problems. Don't ever ask about a Mormon commander, he'll want to close the O Club and NCO club bar.
Its not to get converts, its no different than having a town and different churches there. You don't have to go to church. The big difference is the pastors are not supposed to go actively beat the bushes for converts. No means no.
Perkins ever been in a foxhole? Bet not. There are a lot of atheists there. IF not when they started, when they get out.
Folks the gay men and women risking their lives for us every day in Iraq and Afghanistan are already there. The only questions is whether they can be honest about being gay. Are these ministers, Priests, and Rabbi's really coming together to tell us that the gay men and women risking their lives for us in Iraq and Afghanistan should be forced to continue to live a lie? Is that what Jesus would tell the ministers and priests that he wants? Is that what God would ask the Rabbi's to continue to force on people. Living a lie? I'm shocked that Mininisters, Priests, and Rabbi's would be so whole heartedly in favor of forcing people to live a lie, and hide themselves even as they risk their lives for us.
sanctimonious horse hockey! i fail to see how, exactly, don't ask don't tell "undermines the religious liberties" of anyone. the constitution guarantees equal protection and equal rights to all. it does NOT, however, guarantee anyone the right to not be offended by various lifestyles or beliefs of others. besides – whatever became of "love the sinner, not the sin?" holier-than-thou hypocrites, trying to legislate their religious beliefs...again.
Utter nonsense.
As a straight military man myself, I can assure you that repealing don't ask, don't tell will not have any effect on religious liberties...homosexuality exists, and some people happen to be gay...if your particular deity doesn't like it, perhaps he should heed his own advice, and simply turn the other cheek...and adherents to those religions should perhaps "judge not lest they be judged" or "love their neighbor as their self."
Tony Perkins and his POLITICAL ORGANIZATION have no place commenting at a meeting of the clergy with the Congress.
His comment, as usual, is absolutely absurd. If these are religiuos men, they will surely still be able to offer guidance and support to military personnel. they do not make policy- its not their job.
And Mr Perkins job is not to butt into other peoples lives in the name of God. He is no Christain. He is the heretic spoken about in the Temple.
Let me get this straight (pardon the pun):
Chaplains who support the doctrines of their church don't want to let gay people in the military, but they're totally fine that soldiers kill people?
When did "Thou shall not kill" lose priority over "eek! gay people!!"
Seriously?
"Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who co-sponsored the presser, said repealing "don't ask, don't tell" could undermine the religious liberties of those serving in the military, particularly military chaplains."
Well brother Perkins, lets just turn it around. Why Don't you and other people who prefer to shove your social beliefs down other peoples throats just Don't Ask Don't tell others how to live. That way, you won't lead my christian brothers and sisters into the hands of sata as you did in 2000 and 2004. Remember?
News flash: Our military is NOT a Christian organization. Our military is an organization dedicated to the preservation of liberties and freedoms of ALL Americans.
The Second Amendment of the Constitution explictly prescribes the separation of Church and State – and that applies to the military, as well.
I think it's about time all these so-called Christians started practicing a little tolerance and started accepting the fact that we are ALL children of God.
And don't say the Bible is against homosexuality; the New Testament – upon which Christianity is based (no Jesus, no New Testament) – does not condemn homosexuality.
These chaplains need to brush up on what it means to be a Christian and start acting accordingly.