Dear Vision Forum: I appreciate the way you are speaking out against women in the military. Even in very “conservative” circles, and in homeschool groups, we are finding so much ignorance about this subject. My daughter, who is 14, has gone round and round with home educated young ladies on this subject, and we are astonished at how deep the feminist roots go in this country. It is rather frightening. Thank you for speaking out about this. I am sure that you receive much criticism for it. Blessings, Ken and Rose N.

Ken and Rose: Thank you for your note of encouragement. When Vision Forum Ministries launched the symposium on women and the military there were three basic responses to our position. The first was strident opposition by professing Christians who either encourage women in the military, or who believe that it is “a reality we have to live with.” The second response was silence, both from friends and even from those who traditionally dedicate their time to the criticism of this ministry. In my view, the majority of thinking Christian leaders know in their hearts that there is a big problem with sending girls to war, but they (1) lack the theological confidance to speak to the issue; (2) they have already encouraged and cultivated a culture of women in the military in their local churches; (3) they are concerned about appearing unpatriotic or unappreciative of the sacrifices of women currenly in the military, or (4) they recognize that they will suffer tremendous scrutiny for taking such an uncomfortable and controversial position.

The final response we have received has been gratefulness. Remarkably, we have received many letters from those within the military and those who have left the military, both men and women, affirming our scriptural concerns as well as the deleterious practical consequences for men, women, family and culture, when our daughters go to war.