Some gays in the Navy want to kick out a long-serving, decorated Chaplain for using the Bible in private counseling sessions. Now the Chaplain is fighting back.
Since “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was revoked by President Obama, some openly gay servicemembers have gone on something of a witch-hunt in the armed services, seeking out anyone who they perceive as not fully supportive of the gay agenda.
They have kept a particularly sharp eye on military chaplains who more than likely are teaching what the Bible says about homosexuality, that it is immoral and not countenanced by God, along with other things like sex outside of marriage.
Chaplain Wes Modder said things like that in private counseling sessions, and a coterie of gay sailors convinced Modder’s superior officer to take action against him. In response, the Navy has removed Modder from the promotion list, detached him for cause (basically fired him), and brought him before an official Board of Inquiry where he could be forced out of the Navy.
Modder’s attorneys had asked for an official Religious Exemption, asking that he be allowed to discuss his faith according to the Bible and his denomination, which is what the Department of Defense and Navy regulations require him to do. This was denied.
Yesterday, Modder’s attorneys, the public interest Liberty Institute, filed what’s called an Article 138 complaint against his superior Captain Fahs. The complaint asserts that “Captain Fahs denied Chaplain Modder’s request for the religious accommodation based on outdated regulations, which were superseded by new Department of Defense policies, and laws passed by Congress in 2014.
“Captain Fahs unlawfully censored Chaplain Modder’s free exercise of religion by denying his request for a religious accommodation,” said Mike Berry, Director of Military of Affairs for Liberty Institute.
“It is unacceptable that Captain Fahs would rebel against federal laws and Department of Defense regulations, which clearly protect Chaplain Modder’s right to minister to service members according to his faith. Captain Fahs’ denial means the religious liberty of every chaplain in the U.S. military hangs in the balance,” he said.
Modder has served for just short of twenty years in the Marines and the Navy, including stints with Seal Team Six. He was deployed many times in the War on Terror and only ever received glowing reviews from his commanding officers.
Members of Congress have spoken out in Modder’s defense. At issue is whether the new gay ascendancy sweeps all before it, including the right to teach from the Bible.
Follow Austin Ruse on Twitter @austinruse
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