The Uniform Code of Military Justice is more concerned about failure of military personnel to obey legitimate orders than it is about refusal to obey illegitimate orders, but it does address the subject. In Section 16c(1)(c) it provides:

Lawfulness. A general order or regulation is lawful unless it is contrary to the Constitution, the laws of the United States, or lawful superior orders or for some other reason is beyond the authority of the official issuing it.

The United States Military has issued two unlawful commands to our military people, which violate the First Amendment:

AMENDMENT I.

[The first ten Amendments (Bill of Rights) were ratified effective December 15, 1791.]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof [italics mine]; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Worse yet, the military—through the chain of command—ordered members of the United States Military to disobey two of Jesus Christ's commands:

1. "Do not use the Name of Jesus in your prayers"—a command that violates Jesus' command:

Jesus commanded us to pray to the father in the name of Jesus. This is not just a formula or rite. Jesus has given all believers—not just the Twelve Apostles—the power of attorney to use his name or authority for doing His work on earth. Jesus taught us—that after His resurrection—we are to address our prayers to our Father, in Jesus' Name:

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 16:23-24, NIV

Note: The word;“ask” in John 16:24 above is αιτειτε (aiteite) in the Greek text. It is a verb in present active imperative, second person plural form and means “all of you ask.” Jesus is commanding all of his disciples to pray to the Father in His name!

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Mark 16:17-18, NIV

[See http://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/eq/2nd_gospel_bruce.pdf ] 

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.  

John 14:12-14, NIV

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

John 15:16, NIV

Christians are to abide in Christ and to obey Him:

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:7-8, NIV

Jesus and the Apostles commanded that God's will be done in certain situations. Using the Name of Jesus, all believers have authority from Jesus to command that people be healed, demons be cast out, storms to calm down and the dead to come to life, as they are led by the Holy Spirit. See The Authority of the Believer.

2. The military has released another unlawful order: "Do not proselytize people, i.e., invite them to become Christians"—this is an unlawful command that violates Jesus' command to Christians in the Great Commission:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20, NIV

"Make disciples" is the translation of one Greek word, the verb μαθητευσατε (mathēteusate), "All of you make disciples [learners] now!"  Mathēteusate is the aorist active imperative, second person imperative form of mathēteuō, "to disciple." All this meaning is packed into one koinē Greek word! (The New Testament was written in koinē ["common"] Greek the "universal language" of the times of Jesus, similar to the role English plays in world of commerce today.) "All this information is contained in one Greek word!" Jesus is commanding all his disciples to make disciples!

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. 

Mark 16:15-20, NIV

"Preach" is the verb κηρυξατε (kēruxate), "all of you preach now!" Kēruxate is the aorist active imperative, Second person imperative form of kērussō, "to immediately proclaim [loudly] as a public crier."  Yes, all this meaning is packed into one koinē Greek word! Jesus commanded all of His disciples to preach the Gospel to the whole world!

Here is a transcript of the OATH OF OFFICE (DA FORM 71—Ref. AR 135-100)

that I signed 02 OCT 1967:

I, John Everette Russell O2 335 295, having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of 1LT do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; so help me God.

Where are all the people who signed a form like this? Why are they not defending the United States Constition against domestic enemies?  

Copyright © John E. Russell 2016, 2018

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