Some are arguing that the recent repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy raises religious liberty concerns. Alliance Defense Fund President Alan Sears suggests that allowing gay men and women to serve openly forces personnel to abandon their religious beliefs. Sarah Posner responds:
"What does that mean, exactly? Does ADF believe that serving with an openly gay soldier would cause a believing Christian to choose between serving country or obeying God? As usual, set-up is that gay rights and religious liberty are incompatible. The former can't happen without undermining the latter."
Whatever your religious beliefs regarding homosexuality, why must this be as an issue pitting gay rights against religious liberty. Members of the military already co-exist with others of different, even conflicting, religious beliefs. Christian soldiers even serve peacefully and effectively alongside atheists. And military chaplains even manage to counsel atheists, Wiccans, Muslims and Christians when needed. So far as I know, nobody suggests this diversity of perspectives threatens religious freedom. What's the difference here? Why would gay servicemen and women place any larger strain on religious tensions?
