The U.S. military's religion de-listings under Hegseth

[Free]

Here is the full list of faiths being unrecognized by the Pentagon

The Defense Department moved last month to cut roughly 180 religion codes from its previous list of about 220 recognized faiths.

The new list, expected to take effect in July, recognizes 31 religious categories, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Baha’i, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and non-religion. Christian denominations make up the majority of the new recognized religion categories. The military notes that individuals can still list religions not among the named 31 on their dog tags.

The Pentagon told The Independent that the policy is not meant to be a list of “officially approved” religions, and instead is meant to streamline data-gathering for military chaplains. It pointed to a statement about the new policy from DOD official Sean Parnell on X, who emphasized that the military “places a high value on the First Amendment and the free exercise of religion.”

The move nonetheless angered some veterans and military observers, adding to criticism from those who were already skeptical of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of Christian prayer while referencing military operations.

 

[Free]

Obviously, going from a list of well over 200 recognized faiths and denominations down to about 30 means a lot of groups are left on the cutting room floor *or listed in a way they don't like*. Many of them expectedly quite vocal about such an attack. For example...

LDS groups and Utah Republicans rage as military no longer counts church as Christian under Hegseth religion list shake-up

Mormon leaders, military veterans and elected officials reacted with anger to a new Department of Defense policy that does not consider The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be a Christian religion as part of a wider effort to cut down the U.S. military’s list of recognized faiths.

“The Pentagon’s decision to list The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart from other Christian faiths is wrong and needs to be corrected,” Republican Rep. Mike Kennedy, of heavily Mormon Utah, wrote on X on Sunday.

“No one needs to wonder where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stand,” he added. “We stand with Christ. We are Christians. On that ground, and on the much larger ground of shared faith, values, and purpose, Latter-day Saints stand alongside many Christians of every tradition in following the teachings of Christ. We only ask to be accurately portrayed. I strongly urge the Department to correct the record.”

 

[Dakota Tebaldi]

"Ow, my face!!!"

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Obviously, going from a list of well over 200 recognized faiths and denominations down to about 30 means a lot of groups are left on the cutting room floor. Many of them expectedly quite vocal about such an attack. For example...

LDS groups and Utah Republicans rage as military no longer counts church as Christian under Hegseth religion list shake-up

If I properly understand the list, the LDS are still recognised, but as a separate religion rather than as a Christian denomination.

 

[Free]

If I properly understand the list, the LDS are still recognised, but as a separate religion rather than as a Christian denomination.

Edited to take that into account.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

Can count on Hegseth to do the important work to strengthen the military while we loose a war with Iran because of all his fuck ups...

Others took issue with the fact that the new list does not include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as among its recognized Christian religions, instead listing it under a separate designation.

...yeah, this is a BIG, fuck you to the Mormon church. I don't even think there should be a list of "recognized" religions, but if you're going to have one at all, it should be very loose. Hegseth obviously thinks this is a serious matter that must reflect what he thinks is "correct."

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Can count on Hegseth to do the important work to strengthen the military while we loose a war with Iran because of all his fuck ups...



...yeah, this is a BIG, fuck you to the Mormon church. I don't even think there should be a list of "recognized" religions, but if you're going to have one at all, it should be very loose. Hegseth obviously thinks this is a serious matter that must reflect what he thinks is "correct."

As I understand it, the problem is that the LDS regard the Trinity as three distinct entities with a common purpose rather than as one God in three persons -- father, son and holy spirit -- sharing a common divinity.

Hegseth's view is, I think, shared by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as by most mainstream Protestant denominations, which would presumably make it problematic for Mormon ministers to substitute for ministers of more mainstream denominations under certain circumstances.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

As I understand it, the problem is that the LDS regard the Trinity as three distinct entities with a common purpose rather than as one God in three persons -- father, son and holy spirit -- sharing a common divinity. Hegseth's view is, I think, shared by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as by most mainstream Protestant denominations.

yes.... many mainstream Christian denominations do view the church of LDS as a heresy. I get why they feel that way, but the Church of LDS firmly sees themselves as "Christian" so they are likely not to take this well. ...and they are big Republican doners!

 

[Casey Pelous]

As I understand it, the problem is that the LDS regard the Trinity as three distinct entities with a common purpose rather than as one God in three persons -- father, son and holy spirit -- sharing a common divinity.

Hegseth's view is, I think, shared by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as by most mainstream Protestant denominations, which would presumably make it problematic for Mormon ministers to substitute for ministers of more mainstream denominations under certain circumstances.

Military chaplains, at least in the US services, routinely minister to every faith, and have for many years. This isn't about the "sky pilots."

It seems to me that this is a way to deny "privileges" to current members and to discourage enlistment by those who don't profess the State Religion -- a frontal assault on that pesky First Amendment.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Military chaplains, at least in the US services, routinely minister to every faith, and have for many years. This isn't about the "sky pilots."

It seems to me that this is a way to deny "privileges" to current members and to discourage enlistment by those who don't profess the State Religion -- a frontal assault on that pesky First Amendment.

In what way, though? It doesn't directly affect LDS members of the armed forces or their chaplaincy, and presumably practical arrangements for interfaith ministry will continue as before.

On the other hand, though, I am struggling to see the practical advantages to anyone of the US government being seen to take sides in an argument about whether or not Mormons are Christians.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

On the other hand, though, I am struggling to see the practical advantages to anyone of the US government being seen to take sides in an argument about whether or not Mormons are Christians.

Your problem is that you're trying to think about this rationally.... our evangelicals are not so rational! lol. You're right that this doesn't "directly affect" LDS members in the armed forces, but it's very much a deliberate insult done for petty reasons.

 

[Casey Pelous]

In what way, though? It doesn't directly affect LDS members of the armed forces or their chaplaincy, and presumably practical arrangements for interfaith ministry will continue as before.

On the other hand, though, I am struggling to see the practical advantages to anyone of the US government being seen to take sides in an argument about whether or not Mormons are Christians.

I was thinking more broadly than just LDS. Certain privileges come with certain religious affiliations. They are, in the grand sceme of things, rather minor privileges --- I think Sikhs are now allowed to keep their beards in some situations, for example. That was forbidden because "gas mask." (It turns out "gas mask" doesn't occur that often in real life, but if they are assigned to an area where they might be needed, the beards have to go. Please note, I may be full of hooey on this, and it is some other army that allows them to have beards.) Religious holiday observances are allowed in some circumstances. Of course, they are "minor privileges" from my perspective, but heartfelt traditions for many of the adherents. So --- slap in the face for those members of What We All Know Are Weird Religions, Not the Good Religion.

 

[Beebo Brink]

As I understand it, the problem is that the LDS regard the Trinity as three distinct entities with a common purpose rather than as one God in three persons -- father, son and holy spirit -- sharing a common divinity.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Your problem is that you're trying to think about this rationally.... our evangelicals are not so rational! lol. You're right that this doesn't "directly affect" LDS members in the armed forces, but it's very much a deliberate insult done for petty reasons.

Looks like the government have thought better of it

 

[Innula Zenovka]

I think Sikhs are now allowed to keep their beards in some situations, for example. That was forbidden because "gas mask." (It turns out "gas mask" doesn't occur that often in real life, but if they are assigned to an area where they might be needed, the beards have to go. Please note, I may be full of hooey on this, and it is some other army that allows them to have beards.)

It varies from country to country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facial_hair_in_the_military

 

[Beebo Brink]

Looks like the government have thought better of it

They've still left Unitarian Universalist off the updated list.

 

[Casey Pelous]

They've still left Unitarian Universalist off the updated list.

Weirdo.

 

[Casey Pelous]

As an aside, I've often been bemused by the "war" between the evangelicals and LDS.

"So, this Jesus fellow, born from a virgin mother?"
Evangelicals: Yep.
Healed the sick, raised the dead?
E's: Absolutely
Walked on .... it says here, "water"?
E's: Amen, brother!
Did a bunch of miracles?
E's: He certainly did.
Died, then came back to life?
E's: 100%
And if you believe in him, you live forever?
E's: In heaven, yessiree Bob ....
LDS: Hey, did you know he also visited America?
E's: Whoa! Are you kiddin' me with that? THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!

 

[Innula Zenovka]

They've still left Unitarian Universalist off the updated list.

Also the Church of the SubGenius

 

[Dakota Tebaldi]

They've still left Unitarian Universalist off the updated list.

Really interesting considering Quaker somehow stayed on it...