Hegseth directs DOD to drop hundreds of faiths from recognized religion list
USA Today reports:
““The Department of Defense moved this week to dramatically reduce the number of recognized religions, faiths and belief systems from more than 200 all the way to 31.
The move was announced to troops in a memo signed by Anthony Tata, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness of the United States, and shared with USA TODAY by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF).”
“In the memo, Tata says that the move comes at the direction of Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who said the move was done to “streamline the DoW collection of religious preferences collection for service members to enhance the delivery of targeted religious support from the Chaplaincy.”
Founder and President of the MRFF, Mikey Weinstein, called the move to reduce the number of recognized religions a direct hit on the Constitution's First Amendment.
“Reducing the number of religious faiths from hundreds down to 31 is another absolute, clear, filthy and disgusting, unconstitutional, immoral and unethical attempt to force only the approved solution, getting closer and closer to Christian nationalism,” Weinstein, a retired Air Force officer, said in a press release.
Weinstein also added that his organization was “very seriously considering” filing a federal class action suit on behalf of members of the U.S. military and civilians who have been impacted by the Department of Defense’s move.
The Department of Defense did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.”
Excerpt From “Hegseth directs DOD to drop hundreds of faiths from recognized religion list” USA TODAY https://apple.news/AHESLPFbdRteo-t1dyMs6AQ This material may be protected by copyright.
My comments:
This is utter lunacy by drunkard Kegsbreath—first of all, this is NOT the role of the Secretary of Defense, second this is NOT a military readiness issue, and if Kegsbreath does not realize these things when he’s at least somewhat sober (? Does that ever occur?) then it’s just one more area where he is incompetent for his appointment and should be removed!
This is an obvious violation of the First Amendment to our Constitution and military members need to challenge this!
Now, let’s examine those “31 religions” that Kegsbreath has apparently approved:
22 of the 31 are some brand of Christianity (including the Latter Day Saints as “Christians”).
Agnostic and No Religion are listed: is there a difference? If so, let’s have Kegsbreath define that difference.
“Other Religions” is listed. Is that “Other” all inclusive of all other religions including, say witchcraft, satanism, Druid…?
@Crazywaterspring I am reminded of an interesting occurrence in the early 90’s at Wilford Hall (Lackland AFB). A female radiologist had declared “Witchcraft” as her religion and she wanted Halloween off work as one of her holidays.
Her request was approved and she was assigned call duty on Christmas to accommodate her Christian co-workers.
I was surprised by the claim of there being more than two hundred faiths. Are there really that many?
Mike Weinsein's comment is pure hyperbole, but I can understand his concern.
As you point out, Peter Hegseth's list of recognised "religions" is that long only due to dividing just one of them into individual denominations and sects.
I noticed the "get-out" entry in the approved list, too. It basically cancels the entire directive.
@Picklebobble2 It would be, but I imagine most of those now on the "non-approved" list would take little notice and continue to believe as they do, whatever Hegseth says.
