On Faith: Tell and Don't Ask

Minneapolis, MN (Feburary 10, 2010) - As a regularly featured blogger on the Washington Post/Newsweek's "On Faith" blog, Dr. Aseem Shukla, member of HAF's Board of Directors, has the opportunity to provide a Hindu viewpoint on various issues.  Below is Dr. Shukla's latest blog. Please post your comments directly on the "On Faith" site by clicking here.

 

 

Homosexuality, long an emotive issue in our national dialogue, is quickly going the way of working moms, stay-at-home dads and a black president--once taboo, but now simple reality. Whether to abrogate "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) is no longer a question, as fortunately for the political class, apathy conveniently delayed any action on this issue long enough that the policy has devolved into a widely unpopular relic. When even conservative stalwarts such as Ted Olson are backing complete equality for the much more polarizing issue of gay marriage as they challenge Proposition 8 in the courts, DADT is small potatoes.

 

Reading a recent Zogby poll of those serving in the military, what is striking is that more than half of today's soldiers personally know fellow soldiers that are openly gay. They announced their orientation to their comrades, and still, nearly 75% of these soldiers have no discomfort serving with their gay comrades. So not only is homosexuality not an issue for most soldiers, but DADT clearly is already moot. Its implementation fraught and compliance flouted.

 

But the Obama Administration's reluctance to push Congress to quickly move and officially kill a widely flouted policy belies a fear of the outcry that a minority in the defense establishment and the far right evangelical community will reflexively launch. Our congressional leadership is hopelessly paralyzed and political capital is a currency losing value daily. With larger fish to fry -- an economic stimulus, a health care bill and wars ongoing -- there seems to be little appetite for even a skirmish on the DADT issue.

 

It is well known that the connections between the military and the evangelical community are deep, and I have argued before that the playbook of Campus Crusade for Christ is emulated in some sections of our military academies and cadres to organize soldiers around their faith. These connections were strengthened during the Bush Administration, only now is that evangelical sheen wearing thin. It is unfortunate that the shrill voices, however retrograde, are privileged and their power exaggerated--it seems clear that they are impacting our government's reluctance to move now to strike "don't ask don't tell."

 

This is all very unfortunate and sadly emblematic of a void in leadership, moral strength and the fortitude to do the right thing. Religion, especially an anti-pluralistic version of our national faith in God, must not sway a military decision to rescind a law that would be popular with Americans, accepted among soldiers and improve our nation's readiness. Yes, homosexuality is a religious issue--discrimination against them and denial of their rights is immoral and irreligious.

 

As a Hindu, to me homosexuality is an external trait that cannot taint the immortal and immanent divinity ensconced in every being. The guna, or character and traits, of a person is much more important than a label. Self-control over the senses, moderation, seeking truth and service to others are the composites of a realized soul. And sexual experiences--homosexual or heterosexual--if pursued without control, mired in lust, will only lose that soul from the pursuit of Truth.

 

Now is the time to invert "don't ask, don't tell" into "tell and don't ask."