News

By James Tillman

WASHINGTON, DC, July 23 (LifeSiteNews.com)—The Freedom Federation, a federation of faith-based and policy organizations representing more than 30 million people, has written to members of the Senate asking them to vote against or filibuster the FY 2011 Defense Authorization Act because of the negative impact it would have “on the members and culture of the military.”

There are two provisions of the act with which the Freedom Federation is concerned.  The first is the Burris amendment, which would repeal 10 U.S.C. § 1093(b)1 and thereby permit abortions at overseas and domestic military hospitals.

The second is the Lieberman amendment, which would repeal 10 U.S.C. § 654 and thereby permit homosexuals to serve openly in the military.

“On the first issue, abortion, Americans have been clear,” the letter states. “The majority of Americans believe that abortion is morally wrong. They do not support abortion and they do not want their tax dollars to fund the abortions of others, including those of women in the military.”

“On the second issue, homosexuals serving openly in the military,” the letter continues, “the members of the Freedom Federation join the almost 1,200 retired flag and general officers who have signed onto a letter supporting the current law.”

“A military times poll revealed that if those engaged in homosexual conduct are able to serve in the military, ten percent of the current servicemen and women have said they would not re-enlist or extend their service and fourteen percent have said they would consider not re-enlisting or extending their service.”

Thus, the letter states that the number of individuals who would leave or consider leaving is far greater than the total number of individuals who have been discharged for homosexual conduct – “a mere 0.37 percent of all discharges.”

The House of Representatives has passed a version of the Senate bill with the repeal of the ban on active homosexuals in the military.  The House has not, however, passed any version of the Burris Amendment.

The Freedom Federation letter was signed by Mathew D. Staver, Chairman of the Liberty Counsel, Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, Dr. Richard Land, President of The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Rev. Mr. Keith Fournier, Editor-in-Chief of Catholic Online, and by many others.

The letter reminds senators that “service in the military is not just a day job, it is a way of life.”

“Military personnel and their families live on base, shop on base, attend school on base, go to the doctor on base, and go to work on base. That is why approximately twenty-four percent of active duty military personnel have indicated they are unwilling to subject themselves and their families to a culture that challenges their values.”

It concludes by asking that senators refuse to vote against and if necessary support a filibuster of the National Defense Authorization Act.

See related stories on LifeSiteNews.com:

Rep. Smith Vows to Oppose Military Abortions in Defense Bill

https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jun/10061108.html

Military Archbishop Warns of Immoral Consequences of 'Don't Ask' Repeal

https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jun/10060404.html