FRC Applauds Rep. Kingston's Effort to Keep the Military From Being Used as a Vehicle to Advance a Political Agenda

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Apr 30, 2010, 04:55 ET

'The armed forces do not exist to advance a political or social agenda,' says Tony Perkins

WASHINGTON, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) called for a Congressional investigation into speaking invitations that were withdrawn from Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and Rev. Franklin Graham. In February, Tony Perkins was disinvited from speaking at an Andrews Air Force Base prayer luncheon because of his statements in support of current law on homosexuals in the military, also commonly known as the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Last week, Rev. Franklin Graham's invitation to speak at the Pentagon's National Day of Prayer service was also withdrawn.

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Family Research Council President Tony Perkins issued the following statement:

"The military shouldn't be used to advance a political agenda -- whether Right or Left. The military exists to fight and win wars, not advance a political or social agenda.

"This is why Congressman Kingston is entirely justified in calling for an investigation into how this Administration is using the military to advance its political agenda.

"After the President's State of the Union Address, the Administration made it very clear that no one in uniform who disagrees with overturning the law dare speak out. As a result, an environment of political correctness and fear is enveloping the military. Clearly, there is fear among chaplains and officers who want to avoid offending their superiors who take their orders directly from the White House. My disinvitation followed by Rev. Franklin Graham's disinvitation last week is further evidence of this Administration's politicization of the military.

"I join Congressman Kingston in his call for a thorough Congressional investigation, which will hopefully put a stop to this Administration's efforts to compel the military to do its political bidding. DOD should stand for the Department of Defense -- not the Department of Disinvitation of Bible-believing Christians."

SOURCE Family Research Council