Introduction
Religion has been one of the main driving forces and moral compasses of society, establishing norms and standards. In general, every person of faith comprehends the necessity of kindness and compassion, as discussed in the Bible. However, there is one more crucial principle, such as biblical equality, which requires all people to treat each other fairly and without bias. Meanwhile, after considering the principle of equality, it is evident that Army Regulation 600-13 discriminates against women and prohibits them from engaging in direct combat based solely on their gender.
Biblical Principles Reflected and Violated in Army Regulation 600-13
The idea of biblical equality is founded on biblical evidence of God’s justice and kindness. Biblical equality is the spiritually grounded view that a believer’s ability to perform duties in the Church and within the family is not enhanced or diminished based on their gender. The idea is that everyone is created equal in the eyes of God. It is every person’s equal duty to use their talents and carry out their calling for the praise of God.
Regardless of socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or color, God openly invites believers and assigns them to various responsibilities and services. The “high value [Jesus] placed on women by according them dignity in his ministry”. As said in Galatians 3:26-28 NIV 28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, all humans are equal and must be treated accordingly, based on Biblical principles.
At the same time, not all policies are driven by Christian values and views. The Department of Defense removed all combat limitations on women in 2013. The justification for the Supreme Court’s previous ruling fell apart with that policy shift. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit later overturned that ruling, but it did so without evaluating the district court’s reasoning. Instead, it grounded its decision-making simply on the idea that the Supreme Court has the authority to overturn its own ruling.
Moreover, the United States Army’s policy on allocating female soldiers is found in Army Regulation 600-13. Women are allowed to serve in any capacity or specialty, according to the legislation, except for those who frequently participate in direct combat. It may be argued that AR 600-13, which prohibits female troops from serving in specific combat roles, transgresses the Biblical Equality Principle by denying women options based only on their gender. Restricting women’s access to combat roles in the military would be unfair and incompatible with the biblical concept of equality if women are equally capable and called to serve in that capacity.
Conclusion
In summary, applying the equality principle shows that Army Regulation 600-13 is biased against women and prohibits them from participating in combative activities solely based on their gender. The biblically grounded belief that a believer’s capacity to fulfill responsibilities in the Church and the family is neither increased nor decreased by gender is known as biblical equality. One could claim that by limiting women’s options solely based on their gender, AR 600-13, which forbids female personnel from serving in particular combat positions, violates the Biblical Equality Principle. The law permits women to serve in any role or expertise, except for those who regularly engage in direct combat.
References
Haile, Andrew J. “Redrafting the Selective Service Act: Women and the Military Draft.” UCLA Women’s LJ 28 (2021): 121-168.
Jovkovska, Aneta. “Is There Discrimination Against Women by the Orthodox Church in the Republic of North Macedonia?.” Occasional Paper on Religion in Eastern Europe 41, no. 6 (2021): 102-124.
Lassen, Kristin. “Ties that Bind Women in Islam and Christianity.” Priscilla PaPers 35 (2021): 9-13.