WHEREAS, God created male and female with specific and complementary characteristics (Genesis 1:27), declaring them “good” (Genesis 1:31); and
WHEREAS, The equality of male and female as to dignity and worth, following from their creation in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), is fully consistent with gender-based, immutable differences in physical strength and endurance, which place women soldiers at risk of higher fatigue levels, causing a greater incidence of overuse injuries such as stress fractures; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the military is to maintain a fighting force to promote the common defense and ensure national security, not to serve as an equal opportunity employer with respect to gender because women do not have an equal opportunity for survival in combat settings; and
WHEREAS, an August 2015 memo to the Marine Corps Commandant, entitled United States Marine Corps Assessment of Women in Service Assignments, following three years of comprehensive, scientific studies, noted that physical strength and endurance are essential for “survivability and lethality” in battle; and
WHEREAS, Despite these findings, the United States military has removed restrictions on all Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) to female soldiers; and
WHEREAS, Army and Marine Corps generals recently testified to Congress that it is time to require women to register for military drafts; and
WHEREAS, While women have served faithfully and effectively in combat settings as volunteers, the dominant pattern, both historically and biblically, is that men bear responsibility to serve when war is necessary; and
WHEREAS, We honor women who wish to engage in military service as volunteers, however, we oppose efforts to force women into military service by government coercion; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting June 14–15, 2016, in St. Louis, Missouri, express our unrelenting opposition to the determination of our nation’s military leaders and the Obama Administration to increase the likelihood that women will be placed in harm’s way because of the lifting of MOS restrictions; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call on the Administration, Congress, and all military leaders not to require women to register for military drafts; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we honor and express deepest gratitude to those courageous women who have served and are continuing to serve their country in the military; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we commit our support and prayer to all military members and their families serving this great nation around the world.