US servicemember in uniform praying with Bible
The US military is seemingly being rebranded by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as a Christian fighting force.

When Pete Hegseth assumed leadership of what is now being called the Department of War, he made clear from the outset that this would not just be a bureaucratic rebrand. It would be a spiritual one as well.

From recruitment ads quoting scripture to worship services inside the Pentagon, this new era is reshaping how the U.S. military presents itself, and how service members experience their service. 

The common denominator? Christianity.

The Department of… Worship?

Some point to the worship habits of those in leadership as a major factor in this military religious revival. Hegseth, for example, is a member of Pastor Doug Wilson’s Christ Church. Wilson is a popular – but wildly controversial – figure who wants to strip women of the right to vote. And so far, it seems Hegseth is taking his faith directly into the halls of military power. 

Back in May, he led a Christian prayer and worship service at the Pentagon – reportedly the first time a defense secretary has done so. Hegseth announced that such services would become a monthly voluntary fixture, broadcast over the Pentagon’s internal network. During the service, his pastor prayed for President Trump, thanking God for bringing “stability and moral clarity” to the nation.

Praying With the Generals

Hegseth recently gathered all of the military leaders for a speech at Quantico, Virginia, to condemn “woke garbage” in the military, where he concluded his speech with a Christian prayer. “Lord, please keep my soldiers safe,” he said to the group of more than one-hundred generals. “Lead them, guide them, protect them, watch over them. And as you gave all of yourself for me, help me give all of myself for them.” 

Bible-Based Recruitment

It’s not just service. Even recruitment has shifted towards a faith-based approach.

Recent recruitment videos have quoted the Bible alongside action footage of troops. “I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed,” one ad reads, quoting Psalms 18:37. Underneath the scripture, footage of tanks firing rockets, men in combat, helicopters gliding over the desert.

It was posted with the caption, "We Are One Nation Under God":

Bringing Jesus Up From the Basement

There is a symbolic element to these efforts, too.

Earlier this year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called for a painting of Jesus to be hoisted up from the basement in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The painting – “Christ on the Water” by U.S. Maritime Service Lt. Hunter Wood – had previously been put downstairs by the Biden Administration.

“Can we bring Jesus up from the basement?” Duffy asked. “Let’s not put Jesus in the basement! Let’s get him out! Let’s bring him up!”

Duffy recently delivered on that promise. 

Bigger, Stronger, and More Devout?

It appears leaders in Washington don't simply want a bigger and stronger military, they want it to be more Christian, too.

But critics aren't happy with this larger narrative: that the United States is not a secular republic with a powerful military, but a Christian nation with a Christian army. They say such messaging actually undermines efforts to build a unified fighting force. 

While Christianity is indeed the dominant faith in the armed forces (roughly two-thirds of active-duty personnel identify as Christian), hundreds of thousands of troops identify with other religions, or with none at all. It is those service members who will most feel the strain of this religious overhaul, skeptics point out.

“I have certainly heard from friends of mine who are still in service expressing frustration about the way that their role is being cast as political,” said navy veteran Mike Pruitt. “It is not their job to speak out and therefore, that kind of concern and frustration within active service right now, folks on the ground, is just completely invisible to the media narrative.”

Others fear that this new faith-forward approach may attract the wrong sorts of troops. 

“We’re gonna see a lot of Christian Nationalists join the military,” explained Iraq War veteran Kristofer Goldsmith, who also heads an anti-fascist government watchdog. “They’re not gonna perform very well, and our national security will suffer for a generation for it, because those that don’t wash out will be toxic leaders.”

What is your reaction?

121 comments

  1. Pastor George Day's Avatar Pastor George Day

    It is about time we consider honoring Jesus in the national army. BINGO!

    1. Henry Buehler's Avatar Henry Buehler

      Take the bloody contested territory. Build shining city on hill. Give it to China.

      China is looking for contractors for "Small and Beautiful"

  1. Lori-Ann Neeb's Avatar Lori-Ann Neeb

    Our once proud military has been lowered to the level of every other hate based vigilante militia group when American troops attack other American citizens on American soil. Proof our nation is being led by a dictator instead of a president.

  1. Henry Buehler's Avatar Henry Buehler

    Department of War quotes Bible on social media. Some link it to Christian nationalism. (RNS) Fiona André September 9, 2025

    captioned “We Are One Nation Under God,” a motto from the pledge of allegiance, showing military aircraft and soldiers in operations as “I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed” from Psalm 18:37 appeared onscreen. The 12-second video was shared 1,600 times and received 8,000 likes.

    President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth holds a signed executive order and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine watches. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

    Brian Kaylor, a Baptist minister and the author of the upcoming book “The Bible According to Christian Nationalists,” said the videos thwart the original meaning of these verses.

    “Those verses were not about the United States military,” Kaylor told RNS. “They weren’t really even about any imperial military force, and quite the opposite. These were passages about marginalized people, people under attack. It’s a very dangerous conflation of scriptural ideals with the U.S. military.”

    The DOW’s videos, like the Department of Homeland Security’s Bible-quoting social media posts, also promote a literal interpretation of Scripture, a key feature of Christian nationalist rhetoric, said Kaylor, who is also president and editor-in-chief of Word&Way, a Christian media company in Missouri.

    “Christian nationalism is itself selectively literal. … The irony about this Christian nationalism is that they’re justifying themselves with the Bible, but they’re only able to do it because they’re being very selective on what verses they choose,” he said.

    One post, shared on the DOW Rapid Response X account on Aug. 24, quotes Psalm 23: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for YOU are with me.” The video shows U.S. military members equipping each other, firing weapons and jumping out of helicopters.

    The inclusion of this prayer, written by King David, asking God for support and guidance in difficult times, Kaylor said, was particularly inappropriate, as the passage talks about God leading someone away from the fight.

    Michael Weinstein, a former Air Force officer who founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which seeks to ensure freedom of religion in the U.S. military, raised a concern that the DOW’s favoritism of Christian Scriptures in its communications could jeopardize cohesion among armed forces.

    “This is completely dividing members of the military,” he said. “We see it around the clock. I’ve talked to generals who said, ‘Look, for the first time in my life, I still love the sailors and the soldiers and the airmen and the Marines that I command, but I hate the Navy, the Army and the Air Force that I work for because I see what it has become.’”

    Moreover, the posts suggest non-Christian military members aren’t “worthy or honorable or trustworthy human beings to be able to fight for your country,” said Weinstein, who is Jewish. He was referring to Article Six of the U.S. Constitution, which bans religious tests for positions in the federal government — including military personnel — adding, “but there is a de facto test.”

    Michael Weinstein. Military Religious Freedom Foundation

    Recently, his foundation documented an increase in religious freedom violations in the military. He said some of his clients have flagged as examples the DOW’s “evangelization efforts” through events like the lunch break “Christian prayer and worship service” convened by Hegseth’s office in the Pentagon auditorium earlier this year.

  1. JaZe's Avatar JaZe

    It doesnt make sense. Jesus was a peaceful warrior but armies are for wars anything but peaceful. Many who served suffer ptsd, the horrors of war clashing with a christian upbringing.

  1. Butch's Avatar Butch

    It's been a long time coming.

  1. Richard Dean Scott's Avatar Richard Dean Scott

    God granted free will...my experience in military was the affirmit of God will and in any form. Military danger in all it's from is training to survive...completion of the mission and welfare of the troops. Welfare of the troops is that we will be here when you get back. Over 2025 years God, Creator, Divine,Lord, Jehovah and over 20 other important words that the believer use ... none needing the US government to be a Christian Army...the path to understanding is without influence but more of choice. The US government Armed force is the protector of We the People which includes all Believers. The Constitution...The Law...Free People to choose.

  1. Thomas Foster Mohnkern's Avatar Thomas Foster Mohnkern

    It's about time they brought Jesus out of the basement !
    I can't believe President Biden had it moved to the basement. I guess we know his priorities!

    1. Henry Buehler's Avatar Henry Buehler

      We have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security alone more than the net income of all United States corporations.

      Now this conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence—economic, political, even spiritual—is felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet, we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources, and livelihood are all involved. So is the very structure of our society.

      In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together

    2. Eric's Avatar Eric

      😆 🤣

    3. Eric's Avatar Eric

      “A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.”

      Neri, Philip. The Maxims and Sayings of St Philip Neri. Translated by F.W. Faber, St. Athanasius Press, 24 Oct. 2009.

  1. Eric's Avatar Eric

    As a Catholic, a Marine Corps retiree, and a retired public officer, I see faith in the military not as a threat but as a source of strength and solidarity. Scripture reminds us: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer” (Psalm 18:2). Before my controlled detonation assignment, I met with my Catholic faith leader. That blessing gave me the courage to step into danger with clarity and peace. What followed was not just an act of technical precision, but an act of trust—trust in my training, in my fellow Marines, and in God’s providence.

    That moment is one example of what Émile Durkheim called organic solidarity: different roles, skills, and faith traditions working together in interdependence to accomplish a mission greater than any one of us. Catholic chaplains and other faith leaders have always stood with the troops in war and in peace. Their presence has never divided us—it has united us. That solidarity is what keeps our military, and our nation, strong.

    1. Henry Buehler's Avatar Henry Buehler

      "Heroes: Battle of Washington". Time. August 8, 1932 At 4:45 pm, commanded by MacArthur, the 12th Infantry Regiment, Fort Howard, Maryland, and the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, supported by five M1917 light tanks commanded by Patton, formed in Pennsylvania Avenue while thousands of civil service employees left work to line the street and watch. The Bonus Marchers, believing the troops were marching in their honor, cheered the troops until Patton ordered the cavalry to charge them.[35] After the cavalry charged, the infantry, with fixed bayonets and tear gas (adamsite, an arsenical vomiting agent) entered the camps, evicting veterans, families, and camp followers. No shots were fired. The veterans fled across the Anacostia River to their largest camp, and Hoover ordered the assault stopped. MacArthur chose to ignore the president and ordered a new attack, claiming that the Bonus March was an attempt to overthrow the US government. 55 veterans were injured and 135 arrested On July 14, 1877, railway workers in Martinsburg, Virginia, went on strike to protest the third pay cut within a year. Workers disrupted rail operations and prevented all train traffic. The strike soon spread to Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri. It was the first national strike in US history.Within six days, first blood was drawn when Maryland National Guard troops confronted striking workers in Baltimore and opened fire on them—killing 11 and wounding 40.[1] Over the following two days, Pennsylvania National Guard troops killed 40 striking workers in Pittsburgh, firing upon crowds and bayoneting the strikers. At the same time, federal troops killed as many as 18 striking workers on the streets of St. Louis. On May 1, 1886, over 200,000 working-class men and women kicked off a nationwide campaign to win a nationally recognized and enforced eight-hour workday. Captain Treaumer, who commanded the National Guard On May 5, the striking workers again assembled, chanting for an eight-hour workday. They were approaching the line of National Guardsmen when Treaumer gave the order to begin firing upon the crowd of workers. The volley killed 15, On May 11, 1894, the recently formed American Railway Union went on strike against the Pullman Company in Chicago, Illinois. In June, President Grover Cleveland mobilized a massive force of thousands of US Marshals as well as 12,000 US Army troops. These marshals and soldiers deployed across Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Oklahoma, California, and Illinois.Troop responses to the striking workers varied, narrowly avoiding violent clashes in some regions such as Sacramento while killing more than a dozen strikers in Chicago, the heart of the strike. In total, more than 30 workers were gunned down by state and federal troops. Many more were wounded.[4]

      1. Eric's Avatar Eric

        Revised

        Faith, Service, and the Moral Compass of Solidarity
        By Minister Eric S. Sims Jr.

        Thank you for your thoughtful historical reflection. I honor the gravity of the events you’ve cited, and I’d like to clarify the intent behind my original post.

        As a Catholic, a retired Marine Corps servicemember, and a former public officer, I write to affirm the enduring role of faith in the lives of those who serve. My journey has been shaped by the sacramental rhythms of the Church, the discipline of military life, and the moral clarity that comes from walking with both Scripture and community.

        My reflection was offered in response to a question about Christianity’s role in the military—not as a commentary on past domestic deployments, but as a testimony to how faith, training, and interdependence can foster organic solidarity, as Émile Durkheim described. In contrast, the historical episodes you referenced—such as the Bonus March, labor strikes, and military suppression—are emblematic of mechanical solidarity, where cohesion was enforced through uniformity and rigid authority, often at the cost of moral discernment and human dignity.

        Those events reflect the social norms of their time, shaped by fear, industrial unrest, and centralized control. But we live in a different era. The civic reckonings between 2017 and 2022—including the events of January 6—have compelled us to reexamine the moral compass of our institutions. Today, solidarity must be rooted not in blind conformity, but in ethical pluralism, mutual respect, and spiritual courage.

        Any media outlet will show you the stark contrast between policies of the 19th century, those of 2017, and those of today. Who raised their voices? Who faced arrest? Who was released with a clean slate? Who now steps forward to serve? These questions reveal a shift in our national conscience. I believe we are becoming a more compassionate country—one that is learning to reconcile strength with mercy.

        As a Catholic, I am called to read the signs of the times. Pope Francis reminds us:

        “Authentic faith always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave something better behind.”
        — Evangelii Gaudium, 2013

        This is the kind of solidarity I witnessed in my service—where chaplains, Marines, and public servants stood together not in uniformity, but in unity. Faith in the military is not a threat—it is a source of moral clarity. And when guided by conscience, community, and Christ, it becomes a force for healing, justice, and peace.


        Sources Consulted
        - Émile Durkheim, The Division of Labor in Society
        - Time Magazine, “Heroes: Battle of Washington,” August 8, 1932
        - U.S. labor history archives: Great Railroad Strike of 1877, Pullman Strike of 1894
        - Congressional records and public reporting on January 6, 2021
        - Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), 2013

        Note on Citations:
        In formal writing, numbered citations typically appear as footnotes or endnotes. They help readers trace claims back to their original sources and maintain transparency. If using numbered references, include a corresponding list either inline, at the bottom of the page, or in a dedicated section.

        With respect and spiritual kinship,
        Minister Eric S. Sims Jr.

        1. Henry Buehler's Avatar Henry Buehler

          The story from the 1950s, of a flock of Canadian geese that triggered the Distant Early Warning Line radar system into mistakenly interpreting the event as an attack by Soviet bombers has been enshrined in the lore of the nuclear age. As warning systems became more sophisticated, variants of the episode inevitably followed. In 1960, meteor showers and lunar radar reflections, rather than Canadian geese, excited the new Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) radar, temporarily leading the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to believe that a Soviet missile attack was en route. In 1980, a 46¢ computer chip failed in the computer warning system, producing an image of a Soviet submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) attack on the US. Official reaction to these false alarms tends to be defensive: Corrective actions are taken to prevent repeated accidents; nobody, including the military, wants accidental war; the system has been designed to make sure that the decision to go to war is not driven by a flock of geese or a defective computer chip. These arguments seem persuasive. Man is always in the decision loop; positive control is exercised at every point. I am convinced of the validity of these propositions at the intellectual level at which they are offered. At Serpukhov-15, a secret command post not far from Moscow.Just after midnight on September 26, 1983, the alarms began blaring because the system showed a single intercontinental missile lifting off from the U.S. A few seconds later, four more appeared. Five incoming weapons in total, apparently heading to Moscow. So, he marked the alert as a probable false alarm. He waited for backup confirmation from radar. That never came because there was no attack, meaning nothing went any further. At the time, Soviet command was designed for quick decisions, meaning that officials would likely have retaliated to the "threat" within minutes. That night, it didn't happen because Petrov decided not to trust a single source of data. So the warrior at the console did not believe God wanted him to start Armageddon. And wants to protect the people he is sworn to serve from that happening because of a bad chip.

      2. Pastor George Day's Avatar Pastor George Day

        Henry Buehler

        Did you replicate the content? Perhaps consider expressing it in your own phrasing.

    2. Eric's Avatar Eric

      Comment removed by user.

  1. Padre Doug's Avatar Padre Doug

    An American Taliban - just what we need......God help us.

  1. Sidney Peter Foltis's Avatar Sidney Peter Foltis

    Isn't there supposed to be a separation of church and state?

  1. Patricia Sydney Solis's Avatar Patricia Sydney Solis

    A lot of Satanic Collective Shadow at work here: Department of WAR, destroy thy enemy. Yet, not one word from Christ Himself! And Christ taught LOVE. Yet, Trump made his hatred for his opponent loud and clear at Kirk's funeral. The Nazi's used rallies and collective shadow to whip up frenzy in public gatherings; hence the reason TV News Host Hegseth gathered the generals all together and why they are manipulating young people to join the military. It's Nuremburg 2.0. Check out those Nazi rallies to see what we're talking about. "Thinking things over at home, they would be anti-Nazi, but when they went to a meeting something switched and they became, as one man said, "as thought possessed by the devil. They were temporarily caught by the collective rather than the personal shadow." - Maria-Louise Von Franz, Shadow and Evil in Fairy Tales pg 8.

  1. Walter Abington's Avatar Walter Abington

    It is very bad too mix religious doctrine into military propaganda, especially leading to recruitment of military. Christian doctrine is by default produced by a particular face group, one’s own denomination has its own religious doctrine. That’s why Christianity cannot be trusted, it does not have one sensible mind. Religious zealot are in the military, and many of those are leadership. Fanatics have no place in the military! They should be weeded out and discharged. The constitution is what the military gives itself to defend, not somebody’s feeble faith.

  1. Donald Frank Cowan's Avatar Donald Frank Cowan

    A Christian army IS NOT ok!! We do not want or need another Crusade.

  1. P. Keith Benefiel's Avatar P. Keith Benefiel

    Support your dog and country!

  1. Henry Buehler's Avatar Henry Buehler

    one of the senior active duty who was among those ordered to attend Hegseth’s mandatory meeting at Quantico VA last week. Let me just say that the overwhelming number of my fellow military colleagues who were also ordered to attend this Quantico VA meeting view Hegseth and Trump with the same three word description; BULLIES and POSEURS!

    Our U.S. military leadership is now totally rudderless and adrift in a world where only our nation’s enemies will revel in our descent into chaos.

    Suffice it to say that the demeaning and destructive words spoken by Hegseth and Trump to our captive audience of Generals, Admirals and senior enlisted members eliminated any last vestige of trust and confidence in our chain of command. They want our compliance with our sworn oaths to the constitution to be a thing of the past. Instead they demand loyalty only to them and their orders over our duty to support and defend the constitution.

    1. J. Anderson's Avatar J. Anderson

      ...thank you, HB. The ongoing, mass-entertainment-using/addled, Dunning-Krueger afflicted, easily-bought, Constitution-loathing policies of the Cosplayers now at the executive-leadership level striking at the singularity-point of our now low-literacy population is only the clearest of our many present dangers...

      1. Henry Buehler's Avatar Henry Buehler

        The George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology and Virology Stalin’s Great Terror in 1937 Eliava (along with his wife, a prominent Georgian opera singer) was arrested in the spring of 1937 and charged with being an enemy of the state. He was accused of spying on the Russian Red Army, selling secrets to the French, and even of waging covert bacteriological warfare. He was convicted and executed on July 9, 1937; he was 45 years old. It is often related that Eliava was targeted because he carried on with a woman who had attracted the fancy of Lavrentiy Beria, a political boss in Georgia and soon to be Stalin’s Commissar of the Soviet Secret Police. There seems to be no evidence for this, and the fact is that Beria engineered the arrest of some 30,000 Georgians and the execution of over 14,000 of them during the Great Terror, and it is doubtful that all or even any of these can be attributed to Beria’s habits as a sexual predator, although he certainly was that. After Elivia’s execution, all his papers and photographs were destroyed, and he was virtually unknown for forty years after his death. Fortunately, he was officially “rehabilitated,” and he is now honored, with d’Herelle, as one of the pioneers in the study of bacteriophages and the advancement of phage therapy in the treatment of microbial disease. If phage therapy continues to prosper, he will probably become even better known, even to the general public, and that would be a welcome historical development.

  1. Florencio Guevara's Avatar Florencio Guevara

    Terrible idea. When the draft was in full swing, we were assured that 50% of our armed forces didn't exactly want to be there. As such, we had a safety valve that they would not turn their guns on civilians. Today, with an elitist military of enlisted only, it is quite easy to brainwash armed forces to do the President's wishes.,... We are seeing that in action now across this coountry. BRING BACK THE DRAFT FOR MEN AND WOMEN...!

    1. Pastor George Day's Avatar Pastor George Day

      Florencio Guevara

      There's no need to shout

  1. Michael Dwayne Cooper's Avatar Michael Dwayne Cooper

    I wasn t told about accepting Jesus until I was 19 years old. After a Baptist tried to get me to do a repeat after him prayer but I knew I wasn t saved yet. About a week or two later Jesus moved on an Assembly of God minister to hold a service almost an hour while I sit convicted of my lost condition. I finally went up in a well stream of tears. and Jesus had moved me into his group of saved people. What a mess it is in here but I m saved. And I was one of the lucky ones who learned to grow, to mature in him. Can there be anything more important than to meet the creator and be saved from a painful eternal separation? I would adjure anyone to get alone with Jesus before it is too late. I feel an urgency, time is running out. I have to have enough love to tell the truth. It has nothing to do with me or all this confusion in the world but just you and Jesus. There is not a soul here that Jesus doesn t love.

    1. J. Anderson's Avatar J. Anderson

      MDC - with respect, my relationship with whatever gawds that be, is MY relationship and responsibility, rather than yours. Mind that tightrope walk of wanting to KNOW your gawds into wanting to BE one of them, well-intentioned or not...

  1. Delight Phillips's Avatar Delight Phillips

    There is nothing Christian about turning your armies and military forces AGAINST the people of the United States and people Residing in the United States, whether legal or not. Our military and country are being led and lied to by one of the most Demonic Human Beings that ever lived. Many religious leaders are now realizing what a horrible mistake they made by promoting this evil man. Even with all his crimes and unholy behaviors, many were still deceived or refused to accept the truth. Some people are still blinded to the truth. I'm glad the Pope, st least, sees him for what he truely is. It's alright to pray for him, but do not accept his vicious crimes.

  1. Tom Herman's Avatar Tom Herman

    I really don't have a problem showing off the exemplary skill of an artist who happens to be in the military. Of course our military is there to protect our country (they take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States) and their training should always focus on that first. However, people also bring their talents to their jobs and that should be encouraged. I do have a big problem if that talent is used to proselytize to others. This painting is a work of art and should be displayed as such, with the artist given credit for the art. If the painting was done solely for the purpose of proselytizeing then it needs to go back to the basement. I think it's possible to compromise with the display of a truly unique artwork and any caption should emphasize the art, not any hidden message. Faith is a personal thing. Those who chose to see a message will see it based on their faith. Those who chose to simply admire the skill and the art will also do so as they see fit.

  1. Joseph Grieco's Avatar Joseph Grieco

    Back in the 80s and 90s, there was a major scathing Inspector General report about the USAF Academy. Somehow, a significant number of senior instructors were Evangelical Christians who effectively used their religion to kill burgeoning careers of cadets who did not attend Evangelical services. These students, while academically equal to, or often better than their Evangelical counterparts, received poor Fitness Reports (FitReps). These are what are used by detailers in providing assignments to graduating cadets that would result in either growing or killing their careers. Hundreds of students had their futures destroyed by these individuals until the wrong student was panned. This guy broke protocol and complained about to his parents, who in turn called their Senator. The IG investigation resulted in a large number of these instructors either being forced to resign or to accept assignments that guaranteed their careers went nowhere. Sad to say, but this type of behavior is probably encouraged by the current occupant of the third floor office of E-Ring.

  1. Michael Arthur Lueras's Avatar Michael Arthur Lueras

    The doctrine of the Separation of The Church and The State is a part of The U.S.A. Constitution. But Jesus invented that doctrine a long time ago: "Render unto Caesar what is his and unto God what is His." (Jesus in Matthew 22:21) Amen?

  1. Daniel Alaniz's Avatar Daniel Alaniz

    Hell no! Does anybody in this administration have any concept of the Constitution? If I had encountered this policy change during my time in service. I would have left during boot camp and the loss of benefits and negative employment affects be damned. This is an insane idea. People conceptualizing these kind of moves, implementing them and forcing religion on our military should stop for just a minute to consider what serious blame and consequences await them when this dream of absolute right wing power grab diminishes when people find their breaking point. It may take a lot of ugly bloodshed but in my patriotic heart, I still believe our rights will eventually prevail and it will be hard to stop the backlash on the people who have already done so much devastation to our rights.

  1. Religion as a Weapon is Wrong's Avatar Religion as a Weapon is Wrong

    It looks to me as if the women are getting kicked out of the service or discouraged from joining. Blacks are getting demoted or kicked out. Gay/trans - forget it. The overwhelming appearance is that the military is a Christian organization. So what does that leave? White, Christian, Straight Males. Interesting. These men are about to be sent to the American (blue) cities to terrorize men, women and children. With this tone, only a narrow group of people will want to join the military. An organization that has the respect and thanks of many Americans is getting transformed into something from a Handmaid's Tale. The commitment to the Constitution should be the only ideal pushed by leadership. I am not worried about pictures of Jesus or praying, but this is not supposed to be the Crusades, it is not supposed to be used against the imaginary "enemy within." The US military is supposed to defend and protect the United States of America. All of it.

  1. LuAnn Collins's Avatar LuAnn Collins

    It is 1000% anti-Christian. I'm not sure what to call these people, but Christian isn't it. I could paint myself green, hop everywhere I go, and only say "ribbit," but that wouldn't make me a frog.

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      But if you do want to identify yourself as a frog, you can. We have plenty of people here from the left that love identifying themselves as all sorts of things, bless their hearts. Don’t you just love diversity? 🤭

      🦁❤️

      1. Michael Hunt's Avatar Michael Hunt

        Meanwhile, all the people on the right have been identifying themselves as Nazis...

        1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

          I think you will find that it’s those on the left that have been mistakenly identifying those on the right as Nazi’s. Those on the right are doing their level best to bring back lawn and order to this beautiful country of ours, but for some unknown reason Blue states seem to enjoy seeing crime go unchecked, and that includes stores being looted, gang warfare, murder, anarchy, unlawful assembly, street drugs, and illegal aliens with no interest in the USA judging by the flags they love to wave of those countries they have left behind.

          🦁❤️

          1. Michael Hunt's Avatar Michael Hunt

            White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller seems to fit the Nazi label quite well. https://therevealer.org/stephen-miller-isnt-a-kapo-hes-much-worse/ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/investigating-whether-stephen-millers-speech-130000145.html

            President Trump sure talks like the Nazis did. https://theharvardpoliticalreview.com/trump-rhetoric-hitler/

            Historians around the world seem to share the same concerns. https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20250307-what-parallels-do-historians-see-between-the-trump-administration-and-the-nazi-regime

            1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

              Nah! It's just propaganda from those that hate knowing that the USA is becoming great one again. The liberal left must hate every success.🤭

              France has enough problems of its own than to be concerned about our savior, and King, President Trump. 😜

              🦁♥️

          2. Lori-Ann Neeb's Avatar Lori-Ann Neeb

            With the exception of illegal aliens which i have never considered a where near as drastic as the number of people like myself, on a fix3d income, struggling below the poverty level never getting any consideration or help. The other things mentioned are police issues. Whatever problems that may or may not exist in the police system , they must be fixed as a police issue.

  1. Kenneth Edwards II's Avatar Kenneth Edwards II

    a religious military will end up like the taliban

    1. Kenneth Edwards II's Avatar Kenneth Edwards II

      no the military should not be influenced by a single religion and should be a political

  1. Charles Leroy Good II's Avatar Charles Leroy Good II

    All of this is very sad. What I hear and see are people who want Christ involved in all our institutions, yet do things that go against the very nature of Christ's message to love your neighbor as yourself. Jews, Muslims, and the many denominations of Christians all believe in the same God. What are Jesus' ultimate two commandments? - Love God with all your heart, Love your neighbor as yourself. It's this simple and what we should be concentrating our thoughts and efforts on.

    1. Charles Perry Brigham's Avatar Charles Perry Brigham

      Totally agree with you Charles!

  1. MarcusMaxwell's Avatar MarcusMaxwell

    The Crusades Part II

  1. Michael Dwayne Cooper's Avatar Michael Dwayne Cooper

    The majority of this country is probably Christian, that's where the blessings come from. This organization seems to forget that there are probably a majority of Christians in this organization. The most important thing in life is your salvation. Why don t the people think in terms of "I need to get saved before it is too late". Let's stop attacking Christianity every time a subject pops up on the screens. The Bible says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Instead of criticizing my religion all the time perhaps people need to remember that we are all humans that God is offering mercy, salvation and good things to. I ve had Christians do horrible things to me. They are the ones that get saved but don t grow spiritually. I don t base my religion on them. I base my religion on Jesus Christ. All others I have to have a lot of mercy on.

    1. Gordon Billingsley's Avatar Gordon Billingsley

      Telling Christians they can worship as they please, when all anyone asks in return is the same is not an attack. Religious freedom is about freedom from government interference, endorsement and control. It is a shield. Not a sword to be wielded against others.

    2. Daniel Alaniz's Avatar Daniel Alaniz

      The majority of the country are still Christians, but the majority of the country does not actively practice a religion even if they identify as one of the many Christians sects. You comment is nice as a personal outlook but has nothing to do with the real issue. This policy is a gross and illegal attack and is just another in the many moves to destroy our Constitutional rights. Let's see how free and open religious expression is when religion, Christian religion is a forced policy. Great that many Christians will probably be able to bring their Sunday bibles with them off duty and on duty. I wonder how that will work for Muslims that want to bring a prayer mat or Koran to their duty station; or a Jewish soldier that chooses to wear a yamaka all the time. Good luck with that!

  1. Michael Dwayne Cooper's Avatar Michael Dwayne Cooper

    The majority of this country is probably Christian, that's where the blessings come from. This organization seems to forget that there are probably a majority of Christians in this organization. The most important thing in life is your salvation. Why don t the people think in terms of "I need to get saved before it is too late". Let's stop attacking Christianity every time a subject pops up on the screens. The Bible says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Instead of criticizing my religion all the time perhaps people need to remember that we are all humans that God is offering mercy, salvation and good things to. I ve had Christians do horrible things to me. They are the ones that get saved but don t grow spiritually. I don t base my religion on them. I base my religion on Jesus Christ. All others I have to have a lot of mercy on.

  1. Roy S. Thorpe's Avatar Roy S. Thorpe

    We don't need anyone or group shoving their faith down our throats! It hasn't worked for thousands of years and it won't work now!

    1. John E Karlin's Avatar John E Karlin

      Before forcing the bible in schools, the military, etc. they should fist explain why it has not worked in churches. Pastor John

  1. Lion on the Beach's Avatar Lion on the Beach

    If you have never stood a watch, never spent any time on the ponds or been separated from loved ones on holidays or birthdays. Do not comment. We (myself 23 years USN Ret) all volunteered. When we raised our hand and swore an oath, it didn't ask us to give up our choice of religious preference. Never was any of my troops made to attend or denied a right to their own worship.

  1. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

    Soldiers can be as religious as they want or need to be, because of our Constitutional right to freedom of religion. Forcing a particular religion on them is not Constitutional. These people are already willing to die to protect us, why would we put an extra pressure on them like that even if it was allowed? Hegseth is not rational.

  1. Steven Ferrell's Avatar Steven Ferrell

    No one is being forced to take part, but it is refreshing to see this move. Any base I was ever on offered Christian services which were the most attended.

    1. Daniel Alaniz's Avatar Daniel Alaniz

      How do you know they aren't being forced? The policy has just been announced and there is already once again another outcry against this administration's continue gross and illegal moves to destroy constitutional rights. You don't know that people will be forced. The military may have to temporarily go through the motions of implementing these policies and at the lowest level, if this is an order then people will have to comply. That could easily and "Presto!" people are being forced. I served from1976 to1980 and encountered the same access to services even on ships on the ocean. We served with spirituality and honor. We didn't need anyone to order us to our spiritually and we all felt free to practice or not practice a religion. Being true to our faith and spiritually is a personal matter and gave us spiritual honor but we didn't have to parade it around. Doing our best duty gave us personal honor and military honor. This has nothing to do with access to religions ceremonies or fellowship in the service. It has to do with the efforts to destroy our rights under the Constitution.

    2. Lawrence A. Benson's Avatar Lawrence A. Benson

      And "voluntary" I might add.

  1. Lawrence A. Benson's Avatar Lawrence A. Benson

    Religious laws and military actions are an oxymoron and should never be confused. How short are our memories that we forgot about the tens of thousands of men and women who refused to serve in their armed forces due to their religious beliefs? In the midst of a battle is not when you want to find out that some of your comrades are conscientious objectors.

    1. Ronaldo's Avatar Ronaldo

      If you don't have a conscript military, you don't have conscientious objectors serving. Those who claimed religious exemptions were avoiding the draft. I chose to serve during the Vietnam Debacle, and the last person I would have wanted next to me would have been someone who chose not to fight even in uniform. If they raised the pay for E1s and made military service a desirable and profitable trade, more young people might sign up. As it is today, some states pay burger flippers more than they pay privates in the service.

  1. Trapper's Avatar Trapper

    All I see here are a whe lot of people being awful and judging others. This country the USA was built on Christian values. If you don't like that or it goes against your values you have a choice figure out what is wrong with you and be an American or leave and go wherever your beliefs are shared. Simple as that. Onward Christian Soldiers ✝️

    1. J. Anderson's Avatar J. Anderson

      ...sounds like a vote for 'the divine right of kings' (or perhaps mob 'values'-rule) and against the Constitution, which is designed to ensure the rights of minorities in the exercise of majority-legislated law. Our Revolution was for naught, in other words...

      Proud that you find something 'wrong' with me, and so enlightened to have found that you are the supreme arbiter of what is 'American'...

    2. Lori-Ann Neeb's Avatar Lori-Ann Neeb

      Trapper, You seem to be doing more judging than anyone else.

  1. Rev. BH's Avatar Rev. BH

    The New Cristian Army, formerly known as the Crusades, is coming to your neighborhood soon.

    1. Reverend Paula Copp's Avatar Reverend Paula Copp

      ICE is on the way…

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        Oh joy! Thank goodness. At last, we have people determined to honor their oath bringing law and order back to the streets of the United States, removing illegal aliens, and criminal illegal aliens, from this beautiful country of ours. Watching my beautiful state of California go to the dogs these last few decades hasn’t been easy, but hopefully we can eventually start looking after our own that are homeless and struggling, especially our homeless vets.

        It’s obviously not going to be easy for them judging by the un-peaceful assembly of left-wing anarchists, but I’m sure they can do it. If I was a praying man I’d do it. 🤭

        🦁❤️

        1. John's Avatar John

          Most people who are sensible with their feet on the ground recognize that aliens be they illegal or otherwise are here to work and build a better life for themselves. They are not the people shooting up the synagogues, churches, shopping malls, movie theaters and disseminating their hate for Americans. They are hard working people trying to live the American dream that so many previous aliens have had a chance to do. I am more fearful of the MAGAs who live out their lives with a chip on their shoulder convinced that others are to blame for their lot in life instead of their own actions or inactions.

          1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            Yes, hopefully they do have the intent of working to build a better life for themselves, and let’s hope they can successfully re-enter to continue their quest and fly the “American” flag. If they do apply to enter legally, just like I did, let’s hope they pass all the requirements for legal entry, which isn’t easy, and don’t try to push ahead of all those currently waiting in line that have already had their applications possibly jeopardized, or delayed, by illegals attempting to jump the line ahead of them in their millions.

            🦁❤️

            1. Pastor George Day's Avatar Pastor George Day

              Lionheart

              At last, we witness praying soldiers! How profoundly moving it was to see the man lead the soldiers in honoring the King of Kings

        2. Rev. BH's Avatar Rev. BH

          Again, check out Bone Spur's record on Vets: https://www.onceasoldier.org/trumps-record-on-veterans/ or as he called those killed in action, "suckers and losers".

        3. John E Karlin's Avatar John E Karlin

          Want to explain why California has the 4th largest economy in the world even though it is just a state and not a nation? Give logical, rational answer and post valid, reliable source, reference.

        4. Donald Frank Cowan's Avatar Donald Frank Cowan

          Dear Lionheart, Sir.....You are deeply and severely deluded. It is the right-winger billionaires who are systematically destroying America for their own personal wealth accumulation. It is everything that Jesus would have hated, and it follows none of his teachings.

          1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

            Donald,

            Only right billionaires are wealthy because they're greedy?

            That's really strange that Bezos and the rest are unbelievably wealthy yet not greedy.

            You don't think you've deluded yourself do you? It's possible.

            I've noticed that nearly all billionaires look identical. Some are sensible like the left leaning billionaire Elon Musk but not many others.

            1. John E Karlin's Avatar John E Karlin

              LOL Left leaning Musk who donated millions to Trump and even campaigned with him? Wow, talk about delusional.

          2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            We actually don’t know what Jesus’ teachings really were, assuming he was real.

            Not to worry though, if the people are not happy with this current administration in 3 years time I’m sure they will vote differently, just like they did at the last election with their disapproval of the Biden administration.

            Are you feeling confident right now they will vote differently? 🤭

            🦁❤️

            1. Pastor George Day's Avatar Pastor George Day

              Lionheart,

              My friend... Your endless loop of humor always brings a smile to my face, like an old man stuck on repeat forever!

              How would I survive eternity without your jokes?

              I’ll make sure to put in a good word with Jesus to have you as my personal entertainer! At least you'd get a ticket to heaven!

              Big hug!

              1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

                Awe, thanks for offering to put in a good word for me to Mr Jesus. I look forward to having a pint of real ale 🍺 with him sometime at a heavenly bar, and toast his good health. That’s if his dad will let him 🤭

                🦁❤️

    2. Michael B McCard's Avatar Michael B McCard

      I couldn’t agree with you more

  1. Henry Buehler's Avatar Henry Buehler

    Idolatry is often defined as the worship of an idol as though it were a deity, which is a common practice in many religions, including Hinduism and traditional religions. 1 In contrast, some religious groups, particularly in the Abrahamic tradition, view idol worship as a form of worship of false gods, which is considered forbidden. 1 The debate over idol worship continues to polarize religious communities, with differing interpretations of figures like Jesus and the nature of worship. 1 Some argue that worshiping idols is not inherently religious, as it can be seen as a means to focus one's religious pursuits rather than a belief in a deity. 1 Ultimately, the classification of idol worship as a religion or not can depend on the beliefs of individuals and the context of their religious practices. 2

    Thus, the discussion around idol worship is complex and varies widely among different religious communities.

  1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

    If two thirds of the ranks are Christian, I would venture that more than half of them do not subscribe to the same gospel that Hegseth and Wilson do. They are both part of the conservative extreme fringe. I come from a thology of peace, liberation, and loving one's neighbors. I subscribe to the gospel edict of helping those who have less than we do. Yes, I am woke, and proud of it. I still believe in the rule of law, the bill of rights, and basic human dignity granted to everyone. These are what the conservative right are trying to strip away from us, one right at a time.

  1. Reverend Paula Copp's Avatar Reverend Paula Copp

    So much for separation of church and state… this country is going to hell in a hand basket and they’re letting the orange chicken TACO lead us there. May those who voted for that flagrant abuse of humanity receive the full force of the repercussions. May any military member who goes against the laws of the Constitution reap the harvest of all the evil they have sown…

    1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

      We deserve the government we vote for. Americans are soft, easily led and without any moral compass. Ones religious beliefs or lack thereof should never be part of government.

  1. James Riggle-Johnson's Avatar James Riggle-Johnson

    First, the U.S. Constitution is clear: the First Amendment prevents the government from establishing a religion or interfering with its free exercise, and Article VI prohibits religious tests for public office. So why a Christian army?

    About 70% of the U.S. Armed Forces identify as Christian. What about the 30% who don’t? Would they feel pressured to pray to the Son of God? Could the majority start viewing themselves as superior to non-Christians?

    Mixing Christianity with the military risks turning conflicts into holy wars—history shows how some people of many faiths have twisted scripture to justify violence. The Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and extremist groups demonstrate how that path can spiral out of control.

    Our troops already know who and how to pray to. DEI and Civil Rights programs are often called divisive—but religion is just as divisive. It separates people and creates classes where there should be none.

  1. Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski's Avatar Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski

    Interesting Article, God's Army needs to reflect Multifaith Based Religion & Christianity. The right to not discriminate on the religious forefront if you are adding God to any Core Regime. Its good for Spirituality to emerge as a strong point w honor.

  1. John T. Watson's Avatar John T. Watson

    From the very beginning of this country the military has been mostly Christian. It wasn't until Obama became President that many of the military preachers and rabbis were disrespected and many shown the door. When I was in the military from 1966 to 1970 services were held for anyone who wished to go every Sunday. No one was forced to attend either. There were also Rabbis for those of the Jewish faith on some of the bases. If you wished to attend okay, if not still okay. The point is that most of the men and women who served from the beginning of America have been Protestant or Catholic and this was on their dog tags

    1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

      I don't understand. What exactly did Obama do that disrespected the rabbis and pastors?

    2. Lawrence A. Benson's Avatar Lawrence A. Benson

      Your post is interesting. Do you have any facts to back up these allegations, or is this just your "opinion"?

    3. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

      You realize that members of any minority religion in the military know better than to be open about it if they don't want their career and daily life to be royally screwed, right? And that shows an unpleasant bias toward majority religion--it doesn't matter who IS what religion, it matters that people who aren't in the majority are made wary or even outright afraid to do anything different from their peers because it singles them out for mistreatment or deliberate loss of promotion. This new focus on trying to establish a Christian military will make life a living hell for any soldiers who aren't Christian. These soldiers take the same oath and have the same willingness to die for our country, but they will be punished for not being Christian. That's not religious freedom.

    4. Daniel Alaniz's Avatar Daniel Alaniz

      Your experience from 1966 to 1970 and my similar experiences from 1976 to 1980 have nothing to do with this and I would love to see the credible sources for your opinion laying the blame on Obama. The whole point is not what you saw 55 years ago! The point is that today, right now, this is a gross and illegal violation of the Constitution. No ifs ands or buts about it! If I had encountered this when I joined the Navy, I would have quit in boot camp and damn the consequences on my career. This is an incredibly stupid and illegal act on the parts of the clowns in the administration. Go ahead and keep using Obama as your comfortable scapegoat for this and maybe in your opinion all our current problems. I don't see how your 55 year old story adds anything to this discussion.

  1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

    Does it really matter, as long as the military has the right to choose what they want to believe, or not believe?

    🦁❤️

    1. Reverend Paula Copp's Avatar Reverend Paula Copp

      You cannot serve two masters at once. Those service members who choose to go by the bible instead of the Constitution are trying to serve both their religion and the country. May the deities have mercy on the souls who choose poorly…

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        Where is the evidence there are any deities? Mankind has created so many of them ever since the sun was deemed to be a deity. 🤷

        🦁❤️

        1. Reverend Paula Copp's Avatar Reverend Paula Copp

          Alright , LH… all the deities - if there are any. Better now?

          1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            Yes! Thank you RPC 🤗

            🦁❤️

            1. Patricia Sydney Solis's Avatar Patricia Sydney Solis

              Why is Lionheart afraid to reveal their true name? Hiding behind a fake name... hmm... What are you afraid of?

              1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

                Thank you for your concern Patricia. 🤗

                🦁❤️

    2. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

      If that was actually the case, it wouldn't matter. But promoting a Christian military means that soldiers who aren't Christian will be punished for it, even though they are doing the same work and taking the same risks as their Christian counterparts. And I'm not claiming there will be overt, obviously illegal, formal punishments for not being Christian. Hopefully you know better about that, how people subtly torture anyone that dares to be different from them. Withholding opportunities, skipping them for deserved promotion, treating them like they're inferior. Ignoring any reports of physical abuse from their peers, which would be an extreme but could absolutely happen. Even without Christian influence, women in the military have a long history of being abused without being believed; the type of Christianity that this Hegseth weirdo is into will make that a thousand times worse. So in an ideal setup, it really wouldn't matter. But this situation involves humans, so of course it will be petty, nasty, and intensely complicated.

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        “But promoting a Christian military means that soldiers who aren't Christian will be punished for it,…”

        But does it? Yes, it could have its complications just as all organisations do, but does that mean to say it shouldn’t be considered? Could it help female officers feel more comfortable and safe?

        What is driving your thoughts structure calling Mr. Hegseth a weirdo? I’m now very curious as to whether you ever thought Sam Britton, and Rachel Levine were weird who were both biological males that dressed as females in Biden’s government. Just asking! 🤷

        Thank you for your comments though.

        🦁❤️

        1. Patricia Sydney Solis's Avatar Patricia Sydney Solis

          Hegseth is a former Fox TV Host! And Fox isn't news either; the fine print says "entertainment." Bart Simpson would be a better Secretary of Defense! It's all TV, and America loses. Hegseth has no military experience! Nor does Trump! Manipulating men and women to send them to their deaths - satanic.

          1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            Bless your heart. Not to worry, only 3 years left before the next election. Are you feeling confident? 🤭

            🦁❤️

  1. Douglas Robert Spindler's Avatar Douglas Robert Spindler

    America has always had a predominantly Christian army. This is where the neo-Nazi's are getting their training.

    1. Daniel Alaniz's Avatar Daniel Alaniz

      What is your point? Sure some neo-Nazis are in the army and ICE is spending big bucks on recruiting them to use Nazi tactics to crush the rights of people citizens and immigrants! IMHO this is about the violation of the Constitution plain and simple. If I had encountered this when I served in the military, I would have dropped out in boot camp and damn the negative consequences and impact on my career. The day of induction I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution not the Fascist policies of the horribly destructive clowns in the administration.

  1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

    Not that one that shot his fellow soldiers up at Fort Hood in 2009. That one's Muslim.

    13 dead, 30 wounded.

    1. James Riggle-Johnson's Avatar James Riggle-Johnson

      SOJ, do you think the real reason he shot those people was because he was Muslim, or because he was a violent extremist who twisted religion to justify his hate? Major Hasan wasn’t acting out of faith — he was acting out of fanaticism. His actions were condemned by Muslims everywhere. He was a hate-driven zealot who murdered innocent soldiers. God had nothing to do with it.

    2. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

      I was originally going to post examples of Christian mass shooters who were also military or ex-military, but that would take me all day to research and I found a better solution. Here, check out this article about religious bias in newspapers.

      https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10767-025-09528-2

      Basically, in any population with a majority of anything, there will always be more representatives of that majority in any subgroup, but because of the majority, media will disproportionately highlight non-majority examples, and minimize majority involvement, for anything negative. That's just how humans work.

      1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

        Good thing Ari, your time is better spent elsewhere.

        We've had Islamic shooters on military bases in 2009, 2019 and 2020. I could not find Christian shooters on base but I'm sure it's happened although not for religious reasons and the Muslim shooters were for Islamic reasons.

        Aside from all this, I'm eagerly looking forward to you and James R Johnson defending Christianity as you defend Island violence tendencies. While you think of an approach of how to defend Christianity as you do Islam, consider these numbers:

        2020-2025 estimated Christian deaths from muslim nations and terrorists=30,000-80,000.

        Estimated Muslim deaths from Christian nations and terrorists for the same period is less than 1000. 1000 is a place holder as there are no Christian wars conducted and there aren't Christian terrorist nations.

        Given the choice, I'll take a military filled with Christians over one filled with Muslims or pagans. Bad for undertakers sure but great for moms and dads.

  1. J. Anderson's Avatar J. Anderson

    ...not THIS one, KRM (AUS 1stCav medic for me, and I saw plenty of dogtags unstamped with a religious preference. Your service?-please), and SO WHAT? A reminder that the Constitution is there to ensure minority rights in the exercise of majority rule of ALL U.S. citizens. 'Religious freedom' does not equate to 'Religious hegemony' to me. My Oath was sworn to our Constitution, with no 'Christian' (or ANY other religious) 'hall pass' shortcuts required or needed (one can only recall CENTURIES of European Christian history and the numerous bloody and vicious sectarian wars between 'Catholics' and 'Catholics', 'Catholics' and the later 'Protestants', and any number of the big-2 and whatever apostate internal subsets they generated, up to and including WWII to the present day). ALL, I'm sure, were, in their personal beliefs, 'good' Christians (and, for now, we'll skip the additional dubious origins and motives of the numerous Crusades and pogroms). Yet ALL easily drew and swung those swords for the actual benefit of WHICH 'Christianity'? For who/whom, really? To achieve-what? In my 70's now, the answers found in that un-'sanewashed' history remain too-thin on the ground for any investment of my own spiritual beliefs, but, that said, the Constitution (at least for now) protects each of our said investments in our PERSONAL metaphysics. Your mileage may vary, and, if you feel so compelled, you're always welcome to speak a response over it, but-respect.my, and our.Constitutional.wire...

    1. Lawrence A. Benson's Avatar Lawrence A. Benson

      Well said. Thank you for posting so eloquently what a lot of us are thinking.

    2. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

      So well said. Thank you.

    3. Scott Smith's Avatar Scott Smith

      ...and thank you for your service!

      Does this mean that the president and others who oversee our armed forces will need to convert?

      I mean truly convert and not just as lip service only Christians.

    4. John E Karlin's Avatar John E Karlin

      Before we force the Bible on troops, we need to explain why it doesn't work in church.

  1. Keoni Ronald May's Avatar Keoni Ronald May

    The United States Military, has been mostly volunteer Christian soldiers. Go to any US Military Cemetery, around the world, and you will see, mostly Christian identifications on all of the Christian soldiers.

    1. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

      In the United States of America, we don't force any religion on anyone. Ever. Our country was literally created because of people fleeing having someone else's religion forced on them, and the whole POINT of this country is to never do that. Favoring Christianity in the military, which is government business, is unConstitutional and un-American. Majority does not mean everyone. Might does not make right.

      Besides--it took over a decade of hard work for some soldiers to have their actual religions recognized on their tombstones, and many were buried under the wrong designation. Wiccan and Pagan soldiers did not get religious identification on their tombstones until 2006, after people fought hard for it. Imagine being buried with a lie on your tombstone because of someone else's preference. Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot. You must try to consider the consequences for the people who are being steamrolled by this stuff. That's what compassion is.

      1. Pastor George Day's Avatar Pastor George Day

        Ari Joseph Bertine

        That is not entirely accurate. The United States was established by Christian Pilgrim Fathers based on principles of Judeo-Christianity.

        Even the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving is deeply rooted in those principles.

        However, the nation was intended to be non-denominational, as reflected on the First Amendment.

        1. Lori-Ann Neeb's Avatar Lori-Ann Neeb

          I read once that there is a letter preserved in a museum somewhere that the first dinner happened because white settlers hunting "foul" no specific stated too close to native American lands. The native Americans came to see what the shooting was about. The nervous settlers invited the native Americans to share the meal to basically pacify them.

    2. Elizabeth Susan Cosgrove's Avatar Elizabeth Susan Cosgrove

      Two things wrong with your statement: Christians are not a monolith. Dad's tags and my Father in Law's tags were stamped C for Catholic. There are Protestant denominations who would deny that Catholics are Christian. In fact there's an old joke about how fractured Christianity is.

      The number of folks identifying as religious in the US is declining. Excuse me while I rabbit hole on the data for enlistees in the military. I suspect those folks follow the larger trend.

      1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

        The reason for C on the dogtag was a show of respect for the Catholic doctrine needing last rites if the soldier was mortally wounded on the battlefield. It had nothing to do with denying they were Christian. It was to honor that tradition. I understand there is truth in some Protestant denominations that deny Catholics are Christians, but then again, they also exclude everyone execpt the believers in their own doctrine.

        1. Lawrence A. Benson's Avatar Lawrence A. Benson

          Thank you, there is wisdom to your words.

        2. Daniel Alaniz's Avatar Daniel Alaniz

          You have a right to post your point of view and it is not important to me to refute anything you stated, but the point is the gross violation of the Constitution and forcing religion down people's choice. When I joined the Navy, in the first few minutes of our induction, we took an oath to protect the Constitution not the horribly destructive clowns in the administration trying to implement these policies. If I had encountered this situation when I joined, I would have quit in boot camp and the negative consequences on my career be damned.

          1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

            Daniel,

            It wasn't a point of view, it was told to me by my (Catholic) uncle who was captured and placed in a German POW camp in WWII. What about what I said gave any indication that an embem indicating a dying soldier would need last rites translates to shoving a religion down anybody's throat?

    3. Maria Elisa Koch's Avatar Maria Elisa Koch

      Is it just me or are there more then one religion? How are those being respected? Does Pete Hegseth know about the other ones? Hebrew is one of the oldest ones. Are we all Christians now? What right did Hegseth have to say just a Christian pray before a meeting ( he's just pretending to be religion's)? This country was where freedom of religion was founded away from England's rule, so Pete keep your opinions to yourself.

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