A senior U.S. military chaplain stationed in South Korea is in hot water for sending dozens of subordinates an unsolicited email containing a PDF of John Piper’s ebook ‘Coronavirus and Christ’, which says God is using coronavirus to punish nonbelievers, LGBT people, and those living in sin.
In the email, Col. Moon H. Kim said "this book has helped me refocus my sacred calling to my savior Jesus Christ to finish strong. Hopefully, this small booklet would help you and your Soldiers, their Families and others who you serve." Now, Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) is calling on Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to punish Col. Kim, and he’s not alone. Weinstein is representing 22 Christian military chaplains, some of whom were included on the original email, who feel that Col. Kim went too far in sharing a controversial theology unsolicited.
Punished From Above
Weinstein, and those he's representing object to multiple passages that say God is using coronavirus to punish sinners. “Some people will be infected with the coronavirus as a specific judgment from God because of their sinful attitudes and actions,” reads the header for Chapter 7 of 'Coronavirus and Christ'. The chapter continues, citing “the sin of homosexual intercourse” as a specific sin that God might punish. And referencing the Apostle Paul, the book says that men who “gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another" got “the due penalty.”
In essence, if any LGBT person gets coronavirus, it's probably God's way of showing his anger.
Per the book, coronavirus is sometimes, but not always, a judgment from above.
Piper continues, saying that “the coronavirus is, therefore, never a clear and simple punishment on any person... But it is fitting that every one of us search our own heart to discern if our suffering is God’s judgment on the way we live.”
Calling For a Court Martial
On April 29th, Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense insisting Kim "be officially, swiftly, aggressively, and visibly investigated and disciplined in punishment for his deplorable actions." The letter says that Col. Kim’s email was improper, given he was a "man in a position of substantial power and influence over them."
Those he's representing are choosing to stay anonymous for now, fearing retribution from up the chain of command.
Weinstein insists Kim has every right in the world to believe anything he wants, but that sharing it with those beneath him in the chain of command is wildly improper. He told the Christian Post that he is calling for Col. Kim to be court martialed because he “endorsed a booklet claiming that this is the punishment of God for people who have sinned, which includes gay people… this not only in violation of the EEO provisions of the Department of Defense but a ton of other DoD and U.S. Army provisions.”
Weinstein is no stranger to these types of issues. He’s done everything from blocking scripture from appearing on dog tags to condemning Space Force’s use of an ‘official Bible’.
Objecting to the Objections
Not everyone agrees that misconduct took place, however. "If the Army gives in to Mikey Weinstein’s demands, it will be violating the Constitution and federal law,” said Mike Berry of First Liberty Institute. “It will also be violating the sacred trust that is necessary for our military to defend the nation."
Berry says that Chaplain Kim did nothing wrong, and that Weinstein should be ashamed of himself.
After all, he says, Kim was simply doing exactly what he was hired to do. “When a chaplain is engaging in what chaplains do every day, it’s protected.”
What do you think? Was this improper conduct on the part of the chaplain? Or is he under fire for doing his job?
34 comments
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Brian Konrad Elliott Balke
Coronavirus is God's way of telling us that we've become divorced from reality. Love cannot do what is necessary if we do not honor the truth.
But leave the poor fellow alone. I mean, obviously he should not be serving in the military, but locking him up seems unfair. He's got enough problems, recycling all those old hater memes from Robertson et al.
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Chadley Martell Soules
Highest Medal of Honor Awarded
To be placed over your backside,Sir,
(Free Speech ,Number One)
What do you rabid homosexuality,bi-sexuality,twisted try-sexuality promoters know about autoimmunity,pathogens,viruses,health,chemistry,physics and microbiology down to the quantum level...and beyond?
Sorry didn't mean to get preachy...LOL
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Anne Winslow Jenny
As a military veteran and raised in a multi generational Military family I’m appalled at how the Christian right keeps trying to insinuate that only Christian values are the moral values that we are To be upholding. Our oath of service requires us to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic and that same Constitution guarantees the right to freedom to worship or not as you choose.
If you cannot abide by his oath then throw the book at him
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Anne Winslow Jenny
As a military veteran and raised in a multi generational Military family I’m appalled at how the Christian right keeps trying to insinuate that only Christian values are the moral values that we are To be upholding. Our oath of service requires us to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic and that same Constitution guarantees the right to freedom to worship or not as you choose.
If you cannot abide by his oath then throw the book atvhim
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Gary James Thomas Garrett
A military chaplain is there to offer spiritual comfort and advice to ALL members of the military. He is not there to judge the troops. One of the responsibilities of a chaplain is to provide counseling. His job is to counsel christians, jews, muslims, agnostics, hindus and EVERYONE regardless of their religion or spiritual beliefs. His obvious severe bias prevents him from doing his military mission. I don't think he should be court-martialed but he should definitely be given a different job if possible or be made to leave the military.
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Anna Logan Hunter
Who and what book has already referenced that this virus is a punishment from our Heavenly Father ? Who on earth could possibly have that divine information? I know I speak to our father daily but he has yet to tell me or reference any books that he himself wrote that information in. Maybe this is some kind of a wakeup message.....
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Hazel
OMG, that's pure nonsense. I really don't think this is God/dess' scourge on humanity.. I think people have done far worse to theirselves and rest of creation than God/dess will ever do.
Most of those paranoid hellfire and brimstone clergy people are a bunch of nut balls anyway. If that's the only way they can keep their flocks in line, then they are doing something wrong or else the flocks just don't give a shit anyway and no amount of made-up threats will change their minds.
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Richard Lee Cornell
He is rather stupid for his belief that this current virus is God revenge upon mankind. It was said back in the late 1970's that the HIV-AIDS was also God revenge upon mankind. Guess those who got Polio also were curse by God.
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Lori Lassiter
Court Martial NOW...period.
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Gary Stephen Lowden
To say that this is God's doing is to state that though God could work in a number of ways to show us our commonality and inspire us to show compassion, empathy and caring for each other, he/she chose to make millions of people sick and kill tens of thousands of others. That doesn't sound like a God of love as Jesus taught. I don't know why it does to that minister and those that have similar beliefs.
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Ralph Victor Vendegna
Yeah Court Marshall that Moron chaplin.
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Tammy Smith
Our Lord Jesus Christ is big enough to change the hearts of those truly seeking truth. I believe it’s our job to pray for and love our fellow man and not to “judge” them. We (humans) can’t change the hearts or thoughts of anyone but Jesus can if we will seek Him and follow Him. Love in Christ!
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Bradley Joseph Francis Bevis
Everyone has the right to their own opinion and to believe in what ever they chose, other people do not have to have the same opinion nor do they have to listen to what others are saying it’s called “choice”. So “NO” if this is what this faith is that’s his religious beliefs, and he has every right to his own opinion...!!! These idiots that are calling for him to be court-martialled, have a “choice” they listen to him or they don’t it is that simple...!!! They are too many morons in this world 🌎 “politically correct do gooding morons” that believe they have the right to dictate what people should do think and say, well here and update for all you snowflakes “freedom of speech” it’s what our forefathers fought for and NO one right the right to tell you what to think say are do it’s not “China” so to those who are calling for him court-martialed take a breath and ask yourself who the hell do you think you are...!!! Then take a long walk off a short pier...!!!
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Lori Lassiter
Military members are "owned" by the branch they serve. ALL Federal employees have certain restrictions within their job descriptions
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Robert Daniel Taylor
Bevis, I agree with most of what you posted. We still need to make sure we keep ALL the IDIOTS in our prayers, many of which have posted a reply to this article.
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Rev. Dennis
The chaplain did violate military code by injecting his own beliefs in his email. For that reason he can be court martialed for this offense alone as he was not counseling anyone specific and privately. The military code of conduct outlines things very specifically in this instance.
To the larger picture as "acting" as a man of faith, he is himself judging people and putting himself in Gods role. In other words, he named himself God. His misguided deeds on this front will be judged solely by God and not me nor anyone else. I would implore him to go back and translate the good book for himself from the original writings and he might be surprised by what he will find.
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Rev. Roe
As a Military Chaplin,Col. Moon H Kim SHOULD have kept his feelings of the book to himself and stuck to doing the job hi was assigned to do.He used POOR judgment.
Lets let the the leaders of the Military Chaplains Corps. review this case and give him his just due.
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Alexander Clarke
Just more proof that there is no limit to human stupidity. If God operated as this clown preaches then only bad people would get Corona. Only bad people would get cancer, etc. Why are people killed in a car crash on the way home from church? Why do good God-fearing people die of cancer. If you believe that your particular brand of religion is the one and only one then how come those belonging to other religions are not all wiped out by your God. You just can't fix stupid.
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Walter Eugene Curtis
Amen! The sun shines (and the rain falls) on the just and unjust. The day of choosing for our onward paths is not yet.
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Minister Carlos Ricardo Walls
God doesn't treat his creation this way.If anything it's Satan's work.Earth is Satan's domain.Need I say more?
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Lionheart
Yes, perhaps you can say more. You could demonstrate what evidence you have to support your claim that the earth is the domain of some supernatural entity of something you refer to as Satan? Is this something you have read in a book, or do you have some real evidence?
🦁❤️
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Spelled another way with the same letters he could be talking about Santa. Ho ho ho!!! Could that be his cover?
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Lionheart
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Beth
Gee, I wonder what his view is on the megachurch pastors who defied lockdown or social distancing orders, held church services of thousands of people, leading to COVID-19 infections of dozens or hundreds of their congregants, who then spread it to others in their community?
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Alyxander Fraust
Comment removed by user.
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Alyxander Fraust
Right? Or asked for members to send them their stimulus checks. Yet none of these people have been seen at hospitals helping those that are alone. When I was a child I remember my pastor making trips to the hospitals to sit with members of his congregation, they didn't ask him to do this, he did it because it was his duty . He taught me that preacher that held out his (or her) hand before they would pray with you was the devil in disguise.
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Gerardo N Lopez
IDIOT !!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Look how long those morons called H.I.V. the gay disease until all kinds of people started getting it. Now this foolish saying gay people and other so-called sinners are getting it because of their lifestyles, and others get it because anyone can get it. That it totally absurd, and beyond redundant. I wonder how he got to be a colonel. Gomer Pyle was smarter than that! He's definitely one of God's mistakes. I could go on forever. He needs to be punished severely. If the military doesn't do it bring him to me, and I'll be glad to do it for them. And I'm sure many people would join me.
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Bradley Joseph Francis Bevis
Wow and you dare to call them morons... It’s started as a gay disease but as with infectious diseases they don’t discriminate...!!! It’s to long to explain especially to morons...!!!
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Shane Gevan Lowrey
It's easy to explain. Some ones and their families ate bush meat (monkey or ape most likely). Maybe they shared it with other families?
It spread from there. It IS a virus.
We could talk about methods of transmition. Each germ and parasite has its preferred methods. SARS-CoV-2 is similar to the flu. HIV speads more like gonorrhea, not exactly the same, similar.
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TarotTerry
I am so tired of people making excuses to validate there hate via an invisible god with a divide and conquer agenda. This virus is caused by man being greedy and a constant disrespect and regard for the laws of nature and science. One race and that's human period. One planet that is earth that needs to be treated like the living organism that it is and not a free far anyone to plunder.
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Katelynne Shouse
What a literal asswipe........he should be drop kicked out on his head.......what a maroon!!!
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Paul J. Fumero
Some religious people are just plain idiots. The is no requirement of intelligence to be religious.
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Lionheart
You are quite right. I often wonder how many have actually studied what they believe.
🦁❤️
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Ty Ford
::sigh:: It's these folks that make things a LOT harder for us.
If dying of the coronavirus is God's way of punishing people HE CAN NOT FORGIVE, (and we know THAT'S not right), then how is DEATH not by coronavirus any different? We're still dead.
He is a high ranking military official who has spent many years defending your and my right to free speech. I do not personally believe that his speech is the truth, but I hold his right to share his opinion as valuable as mine or anyone else. I hope they will not harm him. I find it interesting that they want to punish him for sharing his views but to do that would simply be them enforcing their views and opinions on him! Rather hypocritical......