Hegseth's Pentagon slashes the number of religious faiths it officially recognizes

[Jilly_in_VA]

To a degree without modern precedent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has used his powerful office to advance a Christian nationalist agenda. In recent months, Americans have seen him lead Christian prayer services in the Pentagon’s auditorium, invite radical Christian nationalist figures to speak at official prayer services, use social media to promote messages that suggest his faith should dominate other religious traditions and even argue during an official press briefing that Americans should take a knee and pray “in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Since the war in Iran began, the former Fox News host has intensified these efforts. The New York Times reported in March, “More than any top American military leader in recent history, Mr. Hegseth has framed U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America as bigger than politics or foreign policy. Often he has imbued these actions with a Christian moral underpinning that suggests they are divinely sanctioned.”

Soon after, Hegseth explicitly likened the rescue of a missing American airman shot down over Iran to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The week after that, the Pentagon chief started equating journalists he doesn’t like with “pharisees.”

This week, however, a related problem emerged, though in an unexpected way: Instead of seeing Hegseth’s Defense Department take steps to elevate one faith tradition, Americans are seeing the Pentagon demote other faith traditions. The Religion News Service reportedThe Department of Defense is substantially reducing the number of religions it officially recognizes, reportedly excluding atheists, pagans, humanists and New Age faiths, an independent military-focused news website reports.

The reduction of recognized faith groups represents the first time the military has revised the list since 2017, when it vastly expanded the list of recognized faith groups to about 211. The new list includes 31 recognized faiths, as first reported by Military.com on Thursday (June 4).

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseths-pentagon-slashes-the-number-of-religious-faiths-it-officially-recognizes

He certainly doesn't understand the meaning of the word "pharisee"!

[msongs]

1. christians wave the "thou shall not kill" commandment. it gets in the way nt

[Norrrm]

2. The God you worship or faith you follow must be politically correct.

Freedom of religion if it is an approved religion.

[multigraincracker]

3. Jesus said love your neighbor.

Didn’t say anything about it depending on what religion or anything about what they believe.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. The defense secretary has spent most of his tenure drifting from one culture war priority to another. Evidently, he hasn

The defense secretary has spent most of his tenure drifting from one culture war priority to another. Evidently, he hasn’t gotten to the end of his list.

On the one hand, Hegseth is using his office to advance a Christian nationalist agenda.

On the other hand, his Pentagon isn’t just elevating one faith tradition, it’s also demoting other faith traditions, slashing the number of religions the Defense Department officially recognizes.

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-06-05T21:02:17.897Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseths-pentagon-slashes-the-number-of-religious-faiths-it-officially-recognizes

To a degree without modern precedent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has used his powerful office to advance a Christian nationalist agenda. In recent months, Americans have seen him lead Christian prayer services in the Pentagon’s auditorium, invite radical Christian nationalist figures to speak at official prayer services, use social media to promote messages that suggest his faith should dominate other religious traditions and even argue during an official press briefing that Americans should take a knee and pray “in the name of Jesus Christ.”....

This week, however, a related problem emerged, though in an unexpected way: Instead of seeing Hegseth’s Defense Department take steps to elevate one faith tradition, Americans are seeing the Pentagon demote other faith traditions. The Religion News Service reported:

The Department of Defense is substantially reducing the number of religions it officially recognizes, reportedly excluding atheists, pagans, humanists and New Age faiths, an independent military-focused news website reports.

The reduction of recognized faith groups represents the first time the military has revised the list since 2017, when it vastly expanded the list of recognized faith groups to about 211. The new list includes 31 recognized faiths, as first reported by Military.com on Thursday (June 4).

The Military.com report was based on a memorandum issued by Anthony Tata on May 20. (Tata, the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, is perhaps best known for his record of anti-Muslim rhetoric and bonkers condemnations of Barack Obama, whom Tata described as a “terrorist leader.” Last year, Senate Republicans confirmed him anyway.).....

The secretary has spent most of his tenure drifting from one culture war priority to another. The list, evidently, continues to grow.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. MaddowBlog-Hegseth's Pentagon slashes the number of religious faiths it officially recognizes

The defense secretary has spent most of his tenure drifting from one culture war priority to another. Evidently, he hasn’t gotten to the end of his list.

On the one hand, Hegseth is using his office to advance a Christian nationalist agenda.

On the other hand, his Pentagon isn’t just elevating one faith tradition, it’s also demoting other faith traditions, slashing the number of religions the Defense Department officially recognizes.

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-06-05T21:02:17.897Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseths-pentagon-slashes-the-number-of-religious-faiths-it-officially-recognizes

To a degree without modern precedent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has used his powerful office to advance a Christian nationalist agenda. In recent months, Americans have seen him lead Christian prayer services in the Pentagon’s auditorium, invite radical Christian nationalist figures to speak at official prayer services, use social media to promote messages that suggest his faith should dominate other religious traditions and even argue during an official press briefing that Americans should take a knee and pray “in the name of Jesus Christ.”....

This week, however, a related problem emerged, though in an unexpected way: Instead of seeing Hegseth’s Defense Department take steps to elevate one faith tradition, Americans are seeing the Pentagon demote other faith traditions. The Religion News Service reported:

The Department of Defense is substantially reducing the number of religions it officially recognizes, reportedly excluding atheists, pagans, humanists and New Age faiths, an independent military-focused news website reports.

The reduction of recognized faith groups represents the first time the military has revised the list since 2017, when it vastly expanded the list of recognized faith groups to about 211. The new list includes 31 recognized faiths, as first reported by Military.com on Thursday (June 4).

The Military.com report was based on a memorandum issued by Anthony Tata on May 20. (Tata, the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, is perhaps best known for his record of anti-Muslim rhetoric and bonkers condemnations of Barack Obama, whom Tata described as a “terrorist leader.” Last year, Senate Republicans confirmed him anyway.).....

The secretary has spent most of his tenure drifting from one culture war priority to another. The list, evidently, continues to grow.

[Coventina]

6. All Wicca/Pagan faiths have been removed.

Witch burnings coming to a soccer stadium near you!!!!

[Kid Berwyn]

7. Bring back small H hypocrisy.

This is capital offense-level capital H hypocrisy.

[Charmin One]

8. Probably because Romney won't tow the line

Disloyalty to der Trumpenfuhrer is an unpardonable sin in MAGA world