Gays in Military

Dear Victorious,

What do you think of gays in the military? More to the point, should the Christians be rallying to support the military's "don't ask, don't tell" standard of dealing with the gays - or should we be rallying to defeat that standard?

Steven C. - Dallas, TX

Dear Steven,

You're asking two questions. First, what is my opinion of the military's current standard? Second, what should be the opinion of committed Christ-followers? I'll admit that my opinion of the standard is probably not relevant. And Christ-followers should let the Bible guide their position. That said, let's look at the facts.

The Bible defines homosexuality as sin. But the same book gives sinners a cherished role. God loves 'em. Jesus loves 'em so much He died for them. And the Holy Spirit loves 'em. He lives in them and leads them day by day.

Now here's the thing. If someone in the military had some other sin pattern in their lives, the military might react similarly as it does to homosexuals. Consider, for example, men who beat their wives. Or men who are gluttons. If they openly admitted to that, would they still be in the military? I doubt it. As far as I know, the military doesn't put up with obesity, or wife beating.


I suspect that the "don't ask, don't tell" model comes closer to the Biblical model of loving the sinner, but hating the sin. Those who oppose the "don't ask, don't tell" standard seem to be - from what I've read - people who want to normalize homosexuality. They want gay pride, gay identity. They want the military to say that homosexuality is not a sin, not an abberation.


"Don't ask, don't tell" seems to put homosexuals on similar ground with people who us pornography, are unfaithful to their wives, and commit other sins that don't appear to get in the way of their effective service to our country. Given that homosexuals weren't allowed to serve in the military before "don't ask, don't tell," I believe this standard opened the door for us to love the sinner but continue to hate the sin.