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Dear John,
Something troubling is happening in the U.S. military... and it reflects broader societal trends we must address, from the kindergarten classroom to the corporate boardroom.
On January 14, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point canceled all cadet classes. The Army's preeminent leadership training ground instead hosted "Living Honorably Day," a mandatory event meant to promote diversity and progressive feminist thought while discouraging what facilitators called "toxic masculinity."
West Point leadership told cadets the phrase "be a man" is now taboo. The cadets' typically rigid routine -- based on discipline and accountability -- was replaced by a screening of Miss Representation, adocumentary produced by Girls' Club Entertainment, featuring liberal commentators Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, and Rachel Maddow.
On FRC's Washington Watch radio show, I asked our Executive Vice President and decorated U.S. Army Lt. General (Ret.) Boykin: What does this have to do with fighting and winning wars?
"In no way does this help enhance the readiness of our military," said General Boykin, whose 36 years of military service included the dramatic Black Hawk Down mission.
"This is about destroying men because they are the foundations of the family... Men are so important, and they are walking out of their families today all over America."
This past November, FRC launched a bold plan to challenge men with biblical truths. It's called Stand Courageous, and FRC has already hosted men's conferences in five cities across the U.S. and more than 1,500 men having attended.
But we must reach more men for Christ! Will you support our mission to help the family by calling men to stand?
HELP STRENGTHEN FAMILIES
Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $250, or more today helps us move forward with this initiative, to advocate for biblical truth on the front lines of our culture.
There is a real crisis of manhood today: a lack of biblical masculinity. Many husbands and fathers abandon their God-given responsibility to lead and protect their families.
Yet the Left has diagnosed the problem of our age as hypermasculinity, which General Boykin calls "absolute nonsense."
The propaganda event at West Point undermines the qualities our military desperately needs. Instead of disparaging masculinity, the U.S. Armed Forces ought to build the character of their male cadets and foster their God-given instinct to protect and defend.
The strength of our military and the security of our nation depend on it!
FRC has prayerfully sought how to launch a counteroffensive against this insidious assault. Today, we believe Stand Courageous has a vital role to play in activating men in America for the Kingdom of God.
The men leading these conferences have wrestled with the issues all men face and now have strategies for victory. They include Stu Weber (author of The Man in the Mirror), Bishop Larry Jackson, General Boykin, and former NFL tight end Jay Riemersma, among others.
During each two-day event, these and other leaders unpack men's roles as defender, provider, instructor, mentor, and chaplain --inside and outside the home.
Can you help FRC and support this vital effort to renew America's families?
SUPPORT FRC'S MISSION
As a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps now invested in the church and advancing public policies that help all people, I often see parallels between strategies in the military, politics... and the spiritual warfare we face.
My unit in the Marines was trained to execute a military strategy known as a decapitation strike, which prioritizes removing the leadership of a hostile force. For centuries, eliminating what is called the "command-and-control structure" of an enemy has meant the difference between wars won or lost.
In the family, God's design is for the husband to reflect Christ by exercising the role of servant leader. What we see today is that "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8) ... and he does it by targeting men.
The forces of hell have been using decapitation strikes against the leadership of the family. Even the devil knows: If you take out the man, you take out the family.
While the enemy is focused on eliminating husbands and fathers, we believe there is still reason for hope -- because God is zeroing in on men, too.
We serve the God of Justice and Love. Even when we as men have strayed as prodigals from our God-given roles, if we repent, our Father runs to us with open arms.
This new initiative builds on FRC's ongoing work advocating for faith, family, and freedom. Thank you in advance for your stand with us in this critical hour.
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2020 Family Research Council.