Christian Air Force Officer Vows to Violate Military Regulations if DADT is Repealed
Chris Rodda printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 03:12:19 PM EST
Saying that his "commitment to [his] God supersedes [his] commitment to the DOD," Air Force Lt. Col. Stacy L. Maxey has publicly vowed to violate military regulations and his oath to the U.S. Constitution if DADT is repealed. In a letter published by Stars and Stripes, Lt. Col. Maxey claims that it would be hypocritical that he would "be free to express myself if I'm a homosexual, but not if I'm a Christian."

Here's Lt. Col. Maxey's letter:

Won't choose to 'deal with it'

STARS AND STRIPES
Letters to the Editor, December 15, 2010

So let me see if I understand this: The Defense Department is proposing to let people who choose to live a homosexual lifestyle serve "openly" in the armed forces (per the Dec. 2 article "DADT study group: Full integration is best"), but won't allow Christians such as myself the freedom to "openly" share the good news of Christ with our co-workers -- as the faith we've chosen requires?

DOD officials plan to tell servicemembers who have a problem with those living a homosexual lifestyle to "learn to deal with it," but they are prepared to counsel and/or slap Christians with paperwork if someone feels "offended" by our witness? Wearing sexual lifestyle choices on your sleeve is OK, but not your faith?

Military chaplains who teach that homosexuality is antithetical to and incompatible with Christianity (which it is) can either muzzle their objections or "leave," but gays will be permitted to parade their lifestyle choices in front of all?

Bottom line: So I'm free to express myself if I'm a homosexual, but not if I'm a Christian? What disgraceful hypocrisy.

Here's the truth: I will continue to witness to who I want, when I want and where I want. My commitment to my God supersedes my commitment to the DOD and, if officials are upset about that, then I guess they can "learn to deal with it."

Department of Defense? More like the Department of Double Standards.

Lt. Col. Stacy L. Maxey
Afghanistan


(Looks like Lt. Col. Maxey's intent to violate his military oath isn't being met with much support from the readers of Stars and Stripes. You can read the comments here.)

Cases of military officers blatantly violating military regulations for their God are, of course, nothing new to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). We hear about them on a daily basis.

Upon being emailed Lt. Col. Maxey's Stars and Stripes letter this morning, MRFF founder and president Mikey Weinstein issued the following statement: "Lt. Col. Stacy L. Maxey is the quintessentially perfect example of a poisonous Poster Child of the vast legion of fundamentalist Christian proselytizing-oppressors operating with unfettered access in today's U.S. armed forces. He and his illegitimate ilk of pernicious spiritual predators must be stopped now and very publicly! Thus, MRFF demands that the United States Air Force immediately and forthwith subject Lt. Col. Maxey to the most severe punishment possible for his disgustingly brazen and incontrovertibly insubordinate screed which is clearly violative of the Uniform Code of Military Justice as well as his sworn oath to the United States Constitution."

Meet Lt. Col. Stacy "Mad Max" Maxey, taking a break from doing all that "witnessing" to cheer on his favorite football team:


With hundreds of gay and lesbian service members among its over 20,000 clients, MRFF has been receiving a steady stream of emails and phone calls lately regarding DADT, the most recent deluge coming in yesterday in the wake of the outrageous statement made by repeal opponent Gen. James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, who asserted that openly gay Marines would somehow cause a "distraction" that could cost the lives of their fellow Marines.

While not publicly citing his religious beliefs as a factor in his opposition of DADT repeal, Gen. Amos, a born again Christian, is no stranger to violating military regulations to promote his religion. In 2009, Amos appeared in uniform at Shirley Dobson's National Day of Prayer Task Force event on Capitol Hill, in clear violation of a number of Department of Defense regulations, including the strict prohibition on the endorsement of a non-federal entity while in uniform. (For a detailed list of all the military regulations violated by appearing in uniform at such an event, see my post about this year's National Day of Prayer violations).

Gen. James Amos speaking at 2009 National Day of Prayer Task Force event on Capitol Hill:

Photobucket




Display:
"Saying that his "commitment to [his] God supersedes [his] commitment to the DOD..." ", that is. Oh yeah, I remember now. It was that B1 Bomber pilot, Summer 2007, at Stone Mt.

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2010/10/26/10114/874

by Bruce Wilson on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 05:00:16 PM EST

...if that commitment to God also supersedes the US Constitution and the oath that he swore to protect and defend it.
What these people preach is sedition and in some parts of the country would be considered treason.

by Frank Frey on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 10:10:45 PM EST
Parent


What does being gay have to do with someone beating others over the head with their bible trying to convert? Are the gay soldiers trying to "convert" Stacy to be gay? Of course not. Is anyone saying that Stacy can't be openly Christian in the military. No again. So we've got apples and oranges here. I try my best to tolerate religion, especially with those I am close to, but it gets so hard. I should tolerate hate and someone screaming that I am going to hell? It's a one way street to them. My nephew just entered the Navy and wonder what he is going to be like during the holidays when I see him for the first time in 6 months.

by avant1963 on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 12:39:34 PM EST

he wouldn't be in the military at all. First of all, swearing any oath is out. (Matthew 5:33-37) Then there is the whole thing about loving your enemies, doing good to those who hate you, etc. Jesus was quite clear about that. But what Jesus said about homosexuality is ... exactly zero. People like Gen. Amos are what give Christianity a bad name among rational folks. His whole diatribe reeks of hypocrisy, and Jesus had a lot to say about hypocrites! (See Matthew 25; I'm not going to quote the whole rant here.)

by MLouise on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 02:09:48 PM EST

My commitment to my God supersedes my commitment to the DOD...

His professional commitment is to his nation, it's people and the Constitution.  If he wants to sever that tie for what he feels is a more compelling commitment and rejoin the civilian world, fine. he will then have far more space to wear his martyrdom and perform his evangelical mission.  

And I'm sure that the newly opened slots will allow for qualified, patriotic and enthusiastic gays and lesbians to commit to our nation, it's people and the Constitution.  I'm also sure that many religious and Christian personnel will remain and honorably serve.

Life is choices. Hopefully, Col. Maxey chooses the honorable route and moves on to new opportunities more commensurate with with faith witness.  But, if he chooses to stand and be martyred I'm sure the military will oblige.  (And not that they will react to his religious beliefs but to his insubordination.)

I'm enormously amazed that DADT may be appealed and that my fellow beings will not be stopped by their government from enjoying the full measure of their liberty, happiness and citizenship.

by jimmiraybob on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 10:20:07 PM EST


"learn(s) to deal with it" by giving this man a choice to comply with the repeal of DADT or face dishonorable dismissal from the military. We don't have time to deal with this Christian dominionist nonsense. As far as I'm concerned, any soldier or officer who complains about working, showering, or sharing quarters with a gay or lesbian fellow soldier, is a coward.

by monarchmom on Sat Dec 18, 2010 at 11:35:04 AM EST

Well, homosexuals are just homosexuals, basically, ordinary people. But fundamentalist Christians are batshit crackpots.

by jimmyaj on Mon Dec 20, 2010 at 01:18:39 AM EST

frankly, Maxey's argument rests on, among other things, the unspoken premise that 'homosexuals can't be Christian'. wrong. it doesn't scan. Jesus never said anything against homosexuality itself. the laws against homosexuality were laid down in Leviticus, among a group of people trying to survive in an unknown desert environment. homosexuality then would have been contrasurvival, which it most definitely is not now. i'd suspect a great many homosexuals in this country ARE Christians. . .they're just not the 'Christans' Maxey approves of. it'd figure that it'd be an Air Force officer to make this 'threat' against his government and violate his oath to the Constitution. the Air Force Academy has been rife with fundamentalists for ten years now, trying to force other Christian cadets to 'convert', and reaching into the Pentagon itself. they're a danger to the continued existence of the Republic, let alone homosexuals.

by okami on Mon Dec 20, 2010 at 03:03:15 AM EST


WWW Talk To Action


Cognitive Dissonance & Dominionism Denial
There is new research on why people are averse to hearing or learning about the views of ideological opponents. Based on evaluation of five......
By Frederick Clarkson (374 comments)
Will the Air Force Do Anything To Rein In Its Dynamic Duo of Gay-Bashing, Misogynistic Bloggers?
"I always get nervous when I see female pastors/chaplains. Here is why everyone should as well: "First, women are not called to be pastors,......
By Chris Rodda (195 comments)
The Legacy of Big Oil
The media is ablaze with the upcoming publication of David Grann's book, Killers of the Flower Moon. The shocking non fiction account of the......
By wilkyjr (110 comments)
Gimme That Old Time Dominionism Denial
Over the years, I have written a great deal here and in other venues about the explicitly theocratic movement called dominionism -- which has......
By Frederick Clarkson (101 comments)
History Advisor to Members of Congress Completely Twists Jefferson's Words to Support Muslim Ban
Pseudo-historian David Barton, best known for his misquoting of our country's founders to promote the notion that America was founded as a Christian nation,......
By Chris Rodda (113 comments)
"Christian Fighter Pilot" Calls First Lesbian Air Force Academy Commandant a Liar
In a new post on his "Christian Fighter Pilot" blog titled "BGen Kristin Goodwin and the USAFA Honor Code," Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan......
By Chris Rodda (144 comments)
Catholic Right Leader Unapologetic about Call for 'Death to Liberal Professors' -- UPDATED
Today, Donald Trump appointed C-FAM Executive Vice President Lisa Correnti to the US Delegation To UN Commission On Status Of Women. (C-FAM is a......
By Frederick Clarkson (126 comments)
Controlling Information
     Yesterday I listened to Russ Limbaugh.  Rush advised listeners it would be best that they not listen to CNN,MSNBC, ABC, CBS and......
By wilkyjr (118 comments)
Is Bannon Fifth-Columning the Pope?
In December 2016 I wrote about how White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who likes to flash his Catholic credentials when it comes to......
By Frank Cocozzelli (250 comments)
Ross Douthat's Hackery on the Seemingly Incongruous Alliance of Bannon & Burke
Conservative Catholic writer Ross Douthat has dissembled again. This time, in a February 15, 2017 New York Times op-ed titled The Trump Era's Catholic......
By Frank Cocozzelli (64 comments)
`So-Called Patriots' Attack The Rule Of Law
Every so often, right-wing commentator Pat Buchanan lurches out of the far-right fever swamp where he has resided for the past 50 years to......
By Rob Boston (161 comments)
Bad Faith from Focus on the Family
Here is one from the archives, Feb 12, 2011, that serves as a reminder of how deeply disingenuous people can be. Appeals to seek......
By Frederick Clarkson (176 comments)
The Legacy of George Wallace
"One need not accept any of those views to agree that they had appealed to real concerns of real people, not to mindless, unreasoning......
By wilkyjr (70 comments)
Betsy DeVos's Mudsill View of Public Education
My Talk to Action colleague Rachel Tabachnick has been doing yeoman's work in explaining Betsy DeVos's long-term strategy for decimating universal public education. If......
By Frank Cocozzelli (80 comments)
Prince and DeVos Families at Intersection of Radical Free Market Privatizers and Religious Right
This post from 2011 surfaces important information about President-Elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. -- FC Erik Prince, Brother of Betsy......
By Rachel Tabachnick (218 comments)

Respect for Others? or Political Correctness?
The term "political correctness" as used by Conservatives and Republicans has often puzzled me: what exactly do they mean by it? After reading Chip Berlin's piece here-- http://www.talk2action.org/story/2016/7/21/04356/9417 I thought about what he explained......
MTOLincoln (253 comments)
Fear
What I'm feeling now is fear.  I swear that it seems my nightmares are coming true with this new "president".  I'm also frustrated because so many people are not connecting all the dots! I've......
ArchaeoBob (107 comments)
"America - love it or LEAVE!"
I've been hearing that and similar sentiments fairly frequently in the last few days - far FAR more often than ever before.  Hearing about "consequences for burning the flag (actions) from Trump is chilling!......
ArchaeoBob (211 comments)
"Faked!" Meme
Keep your eyes and ears open for a possible move to try to discredit the people openly opposing Trump and the bigots, especially people who have experienced terrorism from the "Right"  (Christian Terrorism is......
ArchaeoBob (165 comments)
More aggressive proselytizing
My wife told me today of an experience she had this last week, where she was proselytized by a McDonald's employee while in the store. ......
ArchaeoBob (163 comments)
See if you recognize names on this list
This comes from the local newspaper, which was conservative before and took a hard right turn after it was sold. Hint: Sarah Palin's name is on it!  (It's also connected to Trump.) ......
ArchaeoBob (169 comments)
Unions: A Labor Day Discussion
This is a revision of an article which I posted on my personal board and also on Dailykos. I had an interesting discussion on a discussion board concerning Unions. I tried to piece it......
Xulon (156 comments)
Extremely obnoxious protesters at WitchsFest NYC: connected to NAR?
In July of this year, some extremely loud, obnoxious Christian-identified protesters showed up at WitchsFest, an annual Pagan street fair here in NYC.  Here's an account of the protest by Pagan writer Heather Greene......
Diane Vera (130 comments)
Capitalism and the Attack on the Imago Dei
I joined this site today, having been linked here by Crooksandliars' Blog Roundup. I thought I'd put up something I put up previously on my Wordpress blog and also at the DailyKos. As will......
Xulon (329 comments)
History of attitudes towards poverty and the churches.
Jesus is said to have stated that "The Poor will always be with you" and some Christians have used that to refuse to try to help the poor, because "they will always be with......
ArchaeoBob (148 comments)
Alternate economy medical treatment
Dogemperor wrote several times about the alternate economy structure that dominionists have built.  Well, it's actually made the news.  Pretty good article, although it doesn't get into how bad people could be (have been)......
ArchaeoBob (90 comments)
Evidence violence is more common than believed
Think I've been making things up about experiencing Christian Terrorism or exaggerating, or that it was an isolated incident?  I suggest you read this article (linked below in body), which is about our great......
ArchaeoBob (214 comments)

More Diaries...




All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments, posts, stories, and all other content are owned by the authors. Everything else © 2005 Talk to Action, LLC.