"In an effort to satisfy the demands of a small minority, a much larger number of troops may be deprived of the spiritual support they so greatly need." -- Alan Wisdom, IRD Vice President

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, July 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- While mainline Protestant denominations are staying largely silent, the two largest Christian denominations in the United States are actively working against repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy preventing practicing homosexuals from openly serving in the military.

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which has more active-duty military chaplains (448) than any other denomination, has been especially outspoken, arguing that a policy change could place limitations on the right of chaplains to preach, counsel, or teach according to their faith. According to the Religion News Service, SBC agencies are contacting Congress and the Pentagon, retired chaplains are sending letters to President Obama, and a resolution was adopted at the denomination's annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., in June which opposes allowing open homosexuality in the military.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the U.S. Roman Catholic military archdiocese also opposes repealing the prohibition, saying same-sex unions will not be accepted or blessed by Catholic chaplains and that no restrictions or limitations on the teaching of Catholic morality can be accepted. The Roman Catholic Church has 252 active-duty chaplains. There are about 3,000 active-duty chaplains overall.

IRD Vice President Alan Wisdom commented:

"Those pushing repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' have not considered the consequences. Permitting active homosexuals to serve openly sends a message that same-sex relations are acceptable. Churches and chaplains that teach otherwise will be branded as 'discriminatory' enemies of U.S. government policy. Whether traditional Christian chaplains can continue to serve under such circumstances is a perilous question. In an effort to satisfy the demands of a small minority, a much larger number of troops may be deprived of the spiritual support they so greatly need.

"We at the IRD would like to thank the Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist leaders, whose churches supply almost a quarter of all active-duty chaplains, for speaking up about this threat to religious liberty. We note with regret that mainline Protestant leaders, who sponsor a much smaller number of chaplains, have remained comparatively silent."