Faith, Family and a Retired Military Viewpoint

Faith & Family

"So it was a shocking turn of events [recently] when the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a long-standing civil rights group, added more than a dozen new organizations to their list of hate-mongering groups. Neo-Nazis? KKK-spin-offs? Muslim or Jew-haters? No. The new 'haters,' in this era of sexual license, are those who maintain that marriage has an intrinsic meaning -- the union of man and woman.... Crying 'hate speech,' the SPLC denounced 'anti-gay' groups for spreading 'falsehoods' that say children do best when raised by a mom and a dad, as opposed to two dads or two moms. 'Falsehoods' that support traditional marriage are now 'hate speech,' thrown into the same filthy bucket as KKK and Neo-Nazi ideology. ... As your children become old enough to discuss these issues, arm them with facts from scientific and religious perspectives. ... We should also teach our children to boldly proclaim -- in love -- their own faith. ... We know what marriage is. And no amount of lobbying or name-calling can change that truth. Our only shame would be to keep silent in the face of lies." --columnist Rebecca Hagelin

"In response to Mark Alexander's essay, 'Do Ask, Do Tell,' there are many disqualifying traits for military service; overweight, criminal record, et al. Homosexuality is one of the others. That is not a capricious, 'anti-gay' concept. Homosexuality as a lifestyle is unacceptable in the military role. Warfighting, as an occupation, has no parallel in any civilian endeavor. Period. The primary reason for disqualification, if known, is that homosexual concepts and practices do not incite trust. The contrary is more accurate. A suspicion of such behavior immediately creates distrust. It cannot be tolerated. Mission effectiveness is reduced. Open homosexual behavior, as a military practice, will destroy the effectiveness of all fighting units. It is not acceptable, and those that oppose it will not enlist. Is this, after all, the purpose of this Republic's leadership? To destroy the military? It does seem so, and the Republic itself, one step at a time." --milret