Indicating they take seriously the concerns of chaplains and personnel with a religious objection to homosexuality ("The views expressed to us in these terms cannot be downplayed or dismissed."), the Pentagon nonetheless argued that the current policy prohibiting openly gay Americans from serving in the military could be repealed with little adverse impact. The report issued yesterday takes great pains to address the issue of religious liberty.
Most striking and heartening in that discussion – whichever side of the controversial issue you are on – is a description of the wide range of diverse religious viewpoints and perspectives that are already successfully managed within the armed forces. From page 135:
[T]he reality is that in today’s U.S. military, people of sharply different moral values and religious convictions – including those who believe that abortion is murder and those who do not, and those who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and those who do not – and those who have no religious convictions at all, already co-exist, work, live, and fight together on a daily basis. The other reality is that policies regarding Service members’ individual expression and free exercise of religion already exist, and we believe they are adequate. Service members will not be required to change their personal views and religious beliefs; they must, however, continue to respect and serve with others who hold different views and beliefs.
The report goes on to recommend that, should DADT be repealed, chaplains should be reminded that under existing policy they are not required to participate in ministry that conflicts with their own religious views, but must still care for all service members.
