Navy chaplain gets job back after being fired over Christian beliefs on sexuality
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| Insignia of the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
A Navy chaplain who got his job back in September says he's glad
to be cleared of charges -- but that dark days are ahead for Christians.
“The days of going to Church on Sunday and going throughout the
week and not ever having anyone talk to you, I think, [are] gone,” Lieutenant
Commander Wesley Modder told The
Daily Signal. “We live in a very secular society, very postmodern. And people
want to know what you believe. Even at the risk of being maybe attacked.”
Modder's case became a cause célèbre for social conservatives
after this Naval Chaplain was relieved of his duties for offering pastoral guidance on
sexuality, especially
same-sex relationships. Complaints against Modder came from several
service members, including an assistant that the chaplain says was not only new
to the office, but regularly asked Modder about homosexual relationships.
The five-page complaint against Modder described his views on
“same-sex relationships/marriages, homosexuality, different standards of
respect for men and women, pre-marital sex and masturbation.”
“It was insulting and it was devastating,” Modder told Fox
earlier this year. “I felt discriminated against. How could something like this
happen at this stage of my career?”
Modder's case was taken
up by Rep. Doug Collins, R-GA, an Iraq veteran who serves as an
Air Force Reserve chaplain -- as well as the president of a group that
represents "atheists and humanists in the military."
Former Army Capt. Jason Torpy told The Daily Signal that a chaplain
“shouldn’t have to advocate for somebody else’s beliefs,” though "a civil,
compassionate, and professional discussion using all of the professional
chaplain skills that you have" is "the reasonable expectation."
“Nobody’s expecting them to come in and say, ‘Hey, being gay is
awesome,’” says Torpy, though he also said that "it’s unreasonable for
people to browbeat people or belittle them in any context."
Modder was represented by Liberty Institute, who provided
LifeSiteNews with the letter reinstating Modder. Written by Rear Admiral David
Steindl -- head of Navy Personnel Command and deputy chief of Naval Personnel
-- the letter stated that Modder would "not be detached for cause."
“I have found the evidence of substandard performance in this
case does not meet the standard of gross negligence or complete disregard of
duty under reference,” wrote the admiral, who ordered that the incident not go
on the chaplain's official record.
Modder says he is now heading to Naval Base San Diego, where he
will continue his service.
