|
Dear John,
Over the last few weeks, the nation and the world have watched in shock and dismay as the Biden administration has mismanaged a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
After 20 years, billions in taxpayer dollars, and -- most importantly -- the sacrifices of thousands of American service members and countless Afghans, President Biden has overseen the fall of Afghanistan to the brutal reign of the Taliban in a matter of days.
The fallout of this foreign policy disaster will be analyzed for years, even decades to come. But unfortunately, the human cost may never be fully known as a generation of men, women, and children who longed for a better life have had their freedom cruelly stripped away.
Those particularly at risk are those who aided our brave military and the underground church who face torture and death for "the crime" of choosing to follow Jesus.
As new crises arise to distract us -- as they surely will continue to under this president -- please don't forget to pray for the people of Afghanistan, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ (Hebrews 13:3), and for our military members and their families who gave so much to liberate this country from the Taliban's grip only to watch their efforts be squandered by the Biden-Harris administration.
John, you can count on FRC to keep you informed on the developments in this situation and the status of religious freedom internationally and here at home. Be sure to catch our daily Washington Watch with Tony Perkins program to stay up to date so you can engage on the issues, pray with insight, and take action.
Help FRC Broadcast Truth
Is it any wonder that the morale of our troops is so low?
The Biden White House is not only undermining our standing on the world stage, but it has also wasted no time in weakening our nation's military by introducing pro-LGBT policies and reviving the Obama administration's pattern of hostility toward religious freedom.
This effort is facilitated by many Biden political appointees at the Pentagon.
The purpose of the U.S. military is to fight and win wars in America's defense, but the Biden administration is fast-tracking a radical social agenda that could have devastating consequences for our armed forces.
As a retired lieutenant general of the U.S. Army who served 36 1/2 years, I write this out of great concern for our brave men and women in uniform.
It began with an executive order reversing Trump's ban on transgender-identifying individuals serving in our military, despite a 2018 comprehensive study by the Department of Defense that found gender dysphoria presents a "considerable risk" to the U.S. military.
Then Biden's Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directed commanders to conduct a "Stand-Down to Address Extremism in the Ranks." The order was ostensibly a reaction to the events of the January 6 Capitol riot. But this directive is not about expelling extremists like members of the KKK or other white supremacist groups that the military already weeds out of its ranks -- it's about targeting Christians and social conservatives.
This stand-down on extremism is so loosely defined and politically driven that it could include something as mainstream as a conservative, biblical viewpoint on abortion, same-sex marriage, and transgender ideology.
We must stand against anti-Christian persecution in the military!
Will you help FRC protect religious liberty for the men and women in uniform who risk their lives for our freedoms every day?
Protect Military Religious Freedom Now
Could service members find themselves in violation of Secretary Austin's order if they post on social media that women's sports should be reserved for biological females? Or could they be court-martialed for attending a pro-life event?
According to military attorney Roger Maxwell, the executive order's definition of extremism is so vague that it could include any "advocating for a certain belief system." He continued, "Any Facebook post or offhand comment could potentially fit under this definition."
Maxwell warns that even "a chaplain of a normal Christian persuasion would fit under this definition" of extremism.
This is alarming, especially since the leftist front group Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) has made it their mission for years to intimidate Christians. In fact, last year MRFF used the pandemic to orchestrate reprimands and punishment of Christian chaplains for boldly serving those who protect our country.
Major Scott Ingram of the Army's 10th Mountain Division posted a Facebook video in which he said, "God encourages us not to be dismayed by what we see around us." His superiors removed it at MRFF's bidding.
Colonel Moon Kim, stationed in Camp Humphreys in South Korea, sent an email to a few of his fellow U.S. Army chaplains sharing a Christian e-book he thought might be helpful as they counsel service members. He later learned he would be subject to a review that could harm his career and reputation.
This is just the tip of the iceberg concerning what we can expect under the Biden administration's ambiguous directives on extremism.
Christian chaplains in the U.S. Army should not be punished for their faith...or for doing the very job they have been hired to do in service to their country. With your help, John, we can uphold religious freedom and expression in the U.S. military.
DONATE NOW
If the Left can force freedom of belief out of the U.S. military, it will be that much easier to eliminate religious freedom in your community, workplace, and local schools. We must prevent this from happening.
As a retired lieutenant general, I know what a crucial role morale plays on the battlefield. When you create this kind of environment, pitting people against each other because of religious belief, it has a devastating effect.
Now is the time to act!
FRC is working with leaders on Capitol Hill and a coalition of allied groups to expose these efforts and push back against this aggressive agenda.
Will you consider a tax-deductible gift? Your vital contribution will ensure we are positioned and prepared for a rapid response not if, but when a service member or chaplain comes under fire for holding socially conservative or biblical viewpoints.
Thank you for supporting the work of FRC as we defend faith, family, and freedom for all Americans.
| 
2021 Family Research Council.