Baptists Call for Keeping Military Ban on Gays

The Southern Baptist Christian Life Commission launched a full-scale grass-roots effort Thursday to block President Clinton’s plan to lift the ban on gays in the military.

The commission, the public policy arm of the 15.2-million-member denomination, sent an alert to the nation’s 38,400 Southern Baptist congregations, urging them to flood members of Congress with statement of their opposition to lifting the ban.

“I’m deeply concerned for our nation when the President will use the power of his office to extol and defend such reprehensible, immoral behavior,” said Richard Land, executive director of the commission.

The commission is calling for support of legislation sponsored by Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) that would provide for “the continuation of the policy of the Department of Defense on homosexuals serving in the armed forces, as in effect on Jan. 1, 1993.”

Clinton, a Southern Baptist, is at odds with his denomination on the issue.

For Southern Baptists the issue is also likely to surface when the convention opens its annual meeting June 15 in Houston. Pastors and congregations will be receiving the commission plea just as they are preparing for the meeting.

Discussion of homosexuality is already on the agenda. Messengers, as delegates are known, are expected to give final approval to a change in the convention bylaws barring congregations that affirm or approve homosexuality from membership.

At least one resolution opposing Clinton’s decision to lift the ban is considered likely to reach the floor of the convention.

“The ban against homosexuals serving in the military has a long history,” the Baptist “action alert” said, “although the policy which President Clinton has temporarily suspended and intends to repeal was issued in 1981.”

It said the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as rank-and-file members of the military, are opposed to lifting the ban because of the effect it would have “on military discipline, good order and morale.”

“Beyond the military reasons, lifting the ban will give approval and support to an immoral, harmful lifestyle,” the Baptist statement said.

“The effect on the broader society will be detrimental,” it added. “Finally, homosexual leaders have clearly stated that once the military ban is lifted they will be able to advance their long-term No. 1 priority: a federal law granting civil rights protection to homosexuals.”

Possible language for a civil rights bill protecting gays from bias in housing, employment and other areas is being discussed on Capitol Hill but is unlikely to be introduced anytime soon. Clinton made lifting the military ban a key promise last year during his campaign for the presidency. In return, he received strong support and an estimated $3 million in campaign contributions from the gay community.

Shortly after taking office, Clinton asked the secretary of defense to come up with a draft executive order by July 15 that would end the ban. Since then, a series of congressional hearings have been held on the issue and efforts to work out some form of a compromise around a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy have been explored.