By Rev. Robert Babcox | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
In a recent op-ed in the New York Times, a U.S. Army Major vehemently disagreed with President Trump’s order to remove transgender individuals from military service. He noted that as an evangelical conservative Christian, most wouldn’t expect him to disagree with the order. He’s right—evangelical conservative Christians would never support something so far left.
The Major added that he loves people and wants them treated with respect.
To that point, I agree.
But if you truly love someone and they are suffering from an obvious mental illness, you get them the help they need. You don’t put them in high-stress, traumatic jobs where their condition may worsen.
Before anyone asks where I get the experience to speak on military service: I served 21 years in the U.S. Navy. Yes, I’m old and retired—or maybe just tired.
I understand the need for good order and discipline in the ranks. I also know how mentally and physically stressful military life can be.
The Major claimed that while the president’s order may be legal, it’s not moral or ethical. But as a service member, he is bound to obey all lawful orders.
He admitted the order is legal, yet challenged it anyway—setting himself up for disciplinary action.
Is it morally or ethically right to bomb a country and inadvertently kill women and children? Of course not. But if that order comes lawfully from the Commander in Chief, it must be followed.
When officers begin questioning lawful orders from those appointed over them, they violate the oath they took. So where are his morals and ethics in that?
Good order and discipline aren’t just nice phrases—they are essential to any military organization.
From a biblical sense, the Major is in violation of God’s Holy Word.
Deuteronomy 22:5 says, “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.” That’s right out of the Torah—the law—in the Bible.
Or how about Leviticus 18:22: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” And Leviticus 20:13 says, “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”
Then Jude 1:7 tells us that Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
I could go on, but I believe the point is clear. Is it unethical or immoral to disallow transgender individuals from military service? God’s Word says no—it is not immoral or unethical to keep them from service.
Yes, Jesus ate with sinners. But He still called them sinners. He still died for their sins if they confessed and repented.
By condoning mental illness and allowing those struggling with it to serve in a way that may exacerbate their condition and compromise discipline, it’s the Major and those who think like him who are acting unethically and immorally.
If someone had cancer, would you let them go on as if nothing were wrong when treatment is available? Ethics and morals are easy things to trample when you’ve lost sight of what they mean.
Officers serve at the pleasure of the President. Careful, Major—you may find yourself out of his pleasure.
Rev. Robert Babcox is the senior pastor at Orchard Mesa Baptist Church in Grand Junction.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Rocky Mountain Voice. However, we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.