Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk has served in the Air Force for 19 years. Monk returned from a deployment and found he had a new commander, Maj. Elisa Valenzuela, who is openly lesbian.
Monk, a devout Christian says Valenzuela discussed wanting a chaplain to offer a benediction, but she, “objected to one particular chaplain that she called a bigot because he preached that homosexuality is a sin.” Monk says the commander’s response was, “I don’t know what kind of people actually believe that kind of crap.”
Monk is one of those 'kind of people [that] actually believe that kind of crap.'
Valenzuela seems to be on a witch-hunt for those holding such beliefs..
It all came to a head one day when Valenzuela gave Monk a direct order. Monk was to tell her whether he regards those who oppose gay marriage as discriminating against homosexuals. Valenzuela allegedly told him supporting gay marriage military policy, and that he wasn't allowed to disagree with that policy.
Monk refused to answer. Valenzuela then relieved Monk of his duties. The Senior Master Sargent is one year from retirement. So he called the Liberty Institute. Their general counsel, Jeff Mateer, says, 'hostility to religious faith in the military is rampant and increasing at an alarming rate.'
Mounting threats to First Amendment rights have led Congress to create law to protect troops against religious hostility. The bill passed the House and is pending in the Senate. Obama has already threatened to veto the bill.
The Air Force says it may court-martial the Major. Or not...
