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An Air Force colonel told his superiors that he couldn't sign a congratulatory certificate of appreciation to the same-sex spouse of a retiring master sergeant because of his deeply held biblical beliefs about marriage and homosexual behavior.
He was immediately relieved of his command, and official recommendation was made to deny him his promotion.
This is what "compelled speech" looks like in the real world.
Wednesday, I wrote about and talked about on our live daily radio program, how secular progressives have taken the fight against religious freedom and liberty to the next level---not only forcing their moral beliefs onto the culture and our institutions---but now forcing Christians and conservatives to "affirm" their beliefs and behavior.
This is not academic dialog in some public education classroom without consequence, it's happening in the real world, with real punishment for those who can't affirm the homosexual lifestyle because of their biblical religious beliefs.
Colonel Leland Bohannon was relieved of his command and a letter was sent by a superior officer recommending against his promotion after an Equal Opportunity complaint filed against him was "substantiated."
Bohannon was asked to sign certificates for a retiring master sergeant, including a "certificate of spouse appreciation" for the same-sex "married" couple.
While this is not legally required, it is typical that the certificates are signed.
However, Bohannon and his wife are biblical Christians and do not believe in same-sex marriage, and do believe the biblical teaching on homosexual behavior. And live accordingly.
Bohannon did not sign the certificate for the master sergeant's same-sex spouse, according to the Albuquerque newspaper.
Bohannon consulted with others on the base and his command chaplain suggested he file a religious accommodation request that would excuse him from signing the certificate.
That request was returned "without action" six weeks later.
Instead, an off base superior officer agreed to sign the certificate in Bohannon's place.
The homosexual master sergeant was offended and did what is often done---he filed an Equal Opportunity complaint, alleging Bohannon unlawfully discriminated against him due to his sexual orientation by not signing the certificate himself.
Although the master sergeant had his certificate, and it was signed by a superior officer, he chose to punish Bohannon.
The complaint was "substantiated" by military officials and Colonel Bohannon was removed from command and a letter was sent by a superior officer to the Air Force Brigadier General promotion board, recommending Bohannon not receive a promotion.
Bohannon has been transferred to Washington DC.
First Liberty Institute, a Christian law firm, is now representing him.
A First Liberty attorney says "the directive informing the Air Force's Equal Opportunity policy enacted in 2016 [under Obama] contradicts existing law, in that it includes sexual orientation in the definition of 'sex'."
"And," he says, "no airman...should ever have to forfeit their religious beliefs in order to serve in the military."
Col. Bohannon has more than 3,300 flying hours as a pilot, including in combat missions.
He was awarded the Bronze Star after his service in Afghanistan.
Homosexual activists are calling his unwillingness to sign the certificate, bigotry.
Both the local news and the Associated Press have quoted the activists: "The military is a secular institution and if his religious beliefs prevent him from doing his job, he should resign."
These folks have no religious accommodation for biblical Christians, but are very willing to redefine marriage--- the oldest social institution in the history of the human race. Marriage defined as one man and one woman, was instituted by God at Creation, predates all organized civilizations, and has been affirmed by every major religion and every successful society in history.
Until now.
During our attempt to defeat then Senator Ed Murray and his campaign to redefine marriage in Washington State a few years ago, Murray, other homosexual activists in the legislature, Dave Ross and other radio personalities and the Seattle Times always led with this question: "How will allowing gays to marry the one they love affect your life, Gary?"
It is apparent that the homosexual agenda is about much more than "marrying the one you love."
It's also about punishing the one that doesn't affirm your behavior.
And this is how it affects other people's lives.
And it's about trying to normalize that which is not normal---and it's about indoctrinating small children on perverted notions of sex and gender fluidity, introducing little children to same-sex relationships even before puberty, under the guise of education and other destructive ideas regarding human sexuality.
The Supreme Court of the United States is scheduled to hear the case called Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission on December 5.
The state of Colorado is attempting to compel a baker to create a custom cake celebrating a same-sex marriage, which his biblical beliefs hold to be immoral.
Also this year the Supreme Court will hear the case, National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v Xavier Becerra. The issue is: "Can the state of California require a pro-life crises pregnancy center to advertise the availability of free or reduced cost abortions?"
Both of these cases are asking the Court to allow people with one belief to force others with a differing belief to affirm and celebrate the one, or be punished by the law.
The term is "Compelled Speech."
The matter with Colonel Bohannon is another insistence of how this comes down in the workplace---in real life.
This is an assault on both religious liberty, and on all who, for whatever reason, will not affirm and celebrate homosexual behavior.
Liberty says this matter will either be resolved or they will file suit on behalf of Bohannon.
However this proceeds, this will not be the last such attack on religious liberty and the rights of conscience for all---including those who are biblical Christians.
Daniel Webster (1782-1852) is said to be the most effective, informed senator ever to serve in the US Senate---a statue in the Capitol honors him.
Webster said, "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instruction and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity."
This defines Webster's warning. We are not only neglecting, but mocking God's model for human existence.
Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Faithful. Be Prayerful. Be Engaged.