Religious groups oppose DADT
WASHINGTON — A broad coalition of faith voices spoke out today against the discriminatory "Don't ask, Don't Tell" law that prevents some of the best and brightest women and men from serving their country.
"Forcing our men and women in uniform to lie about who they are goes against the core religious tenets of all major faith traditions. Telling the truth is an American and a religious value," said HRC Religion and Faith Program Director Harry Knox. "Not only does 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' harm our national security, it also fails to live up to the moral standards to which we aspire."
The faith coalition wrote to U.S. Senators and House members today saying in part: "We write because we strongly believe this policy of government-sanctioned discrimination is morally wrong and entirely contrary to the teachings and values of our faith communities."
"As military chaplains, we routinely work with service members whose faith traditions and belief systems are different from ours. The idea that repeal of DADT will infringe on our religious liberty is insulting to all the serving chaplains who professionally minister to and with people of diverse beliefs every day," said Captain John F. Gundlach, a retired Chaplain of the U.S. Navy. "It is time to realize that bigotry — not one's sexual orientation — is incompatible with military service. It's time for gay Americans to be able to serve our country proudly and openly, with continued courage, honor, and commitment."
Signatories to the letter are as follows:
> Alliance of Baptists
> American Conference of Cantors
> American Friends Service Committee
> Central Conference of American Rabbis
> DignityUSA
> Disciples Justice Action Network ( Disciples of Christ )
> The Episcopal Church
> Equal Partners in Faith
> The Fellowship
> Friends Committee on National Legislation
> Interfaith Alliance
> Jewish Council for Public Affairs
> Lutherans Concerned/North America
> Metropolitan Community Churches
> More Light Presbyterians
> National Black Justice Coalition
> National Council of Jewish Women
> Other Sheep: Multicultural Ministries with Sexual Minorities
> Rabbinical Assembly
> Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International
> The Sikh Coalition
> Union for Reform Judaism
> Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
> United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
> United Church of Christ, Wider Church Ministries
> United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
> United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
> Unity Fellowship Church Movement
> Women of Reform Judaism
>
> A full copy of the letter is available at: www.HRCbackstory.org .