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03/14/07
Rev. Schenck Commends Gen. Pace Comments On Morality
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace ignited a firestorm
on Monday during an interview with the Chicago Tribune when he expressed his personal
viewpoint that homosexuality was “immoral.” His remarks were in the
context of a discussion about the U. S. military’s policy of “Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell”, that allows gays to serve under the condition that
their sexual orientation remain private.
Gay activists and homosexual rights advocacy groups have already demanded that
Gen. Pace apologize for comments that were characterized as “outrageous,
insensitive and disrespectful.” Staffers for Pace indicated the General would
not apologize for statements that reflected his personal beliefs.
National Clergy Council president Reverend Rob Schenck was quick issue a statement
in support of Gen. Pace, calling him "an outstanding American, an extraordinary
leader and a distinguished military chief.” He further noted, “In his
comments about homosexual behavior, General Pace expressed the views of a majority
of Americans and said nothing untoward or in conflict with his duties, military
regulations or the laws of this country.”
The controversy comes at a time when the prohibition against gays openly serving
in the military is coming under a renewed effort for repeal by the Democratic-controlled
Congress. In February, a wounded Iraq veteran who publicly declared his homosexuality
stood beside Rep. Martin Meehan (D-MA) at a press conference to announce the introduction
of legislation in the House of Representatives to end the ban. In a recent speech
to the Human Rights Campaign gay advocacy group, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton promised
to allow homosexuals to openly serve in the military if she is elected president.
Ironically, it was her husband, President Bill Clinton who put the policy into
place in 1994.
A source with knowledge of the gay activist community suggested that ultimately
Pace’s dismissal would be sought. He said, “There will be a tremendous
amount of pressure put on Pace to resign or on President Bush to remove him.”
The source indicated that the mainstream media is largely pro-gay, which results
in that point of view being substantially over-represented. He also pointed out
that gay activists have a well-organized and focused grassroots network that bombards
elected officials and news organizations with emails and phone calls to make it
appear that there is a groundswell of support for its position, despite being
a miniscule minority.
The source went on to say, “The media will be saturated with stories that
will characterize Pace’s remarks as bigoted and rooted in religious beliefs
that somehow violate the mythical ‘separation of church and state’.”
He added, “Reporters will besiege the White House and the Pentagon with questions
that insinuate an apology, resignation or firing is necessary to end the controversy.
This is how activists and the media work together to advance the gay agenda.”
Rev. Schenck plans to rally support for Gen. Pace with an online petition drive.
He said, “We will ask President Bush to support General Pace's right to stand
by his convictions as he enforces the military code of conduct." He noted
that Gen. Pace has no control over the policy but is duty-bound to uphold it.
The National Clergy Council president pointed out that in the interview, Pace
credited his beliefs to his “upbringing”, but did not indicate the basis
of his moral instruction. He praised the General for expressing clear moral values
and observed that Pace included adultery in his discussion of immoral behavior
and didn’t focus solely on homosexuality.
Rev. Schenck warned that conversations about morality need to be conducted
with the knowledge that, “As Christians we admit that we are all capable
of immorality and that we must constantly examine ourselves and our own behavior.”
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