U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s increasing use of Christian language and imagery in connection with the American military has prompted debate among experts, veterans and political figures about the role of religion in the armed forces.

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During a briefing last week on the conflict with Iran, Hegseth urged Americans to pray to Jesus for the success of U.S. troops in the Middle East. Days later, he read a sermon that called for “wicked souls” to face “eternal damnation” in the fight against Iran.

The remarks reflect a broader pattern in which Hegseth has openly linked Christian faith with U.S. military operations. Pentagon officials say his approach reflects the country’s historical religious traditions, while critics argue it risks alienating service members of different faiths.

Growing emphasis on faith

Hegseth, a former Fox News host who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has increasingly incorporated religious language into public statements about the military.

At a press briefing in March, one day after attending a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, he quoted Psalm 144 from the Bible: “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.”

He has also introduced a monthly prayer service at the Pentagon and invited several Christian pastors to speak at the events. Among them was Doug Wilson, a pastor known for advocating Christian nationalist ideas and arguing that women should not have the right to vote.

The invitation drew criticism from some veterans and political figures.

Fred Wellman, an Army veteran running for Congress in Missouri, wrote on the social media platform X that Hegseth was using his official role to promote his personal faith through government facilities and communications channels. Nancy Lacore, a retired Navy rear admiral seeking election to Congress in South Carolina, said the invitation risked sending a message that not all service members belong.

Defense Department officials have rejected those criticisms. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said Hegseth was “a proud Christian” and had welcomed Wilson to the Pentagon in that capacity.

“The Christian faith is woven deeply into the fabric of our nation,” she said, adding that the defence secretary embraces that heritage.

Changes to chaplain corps

Hegseth has also introduced changes to the U.S. military’s Chaplain Corps. Under one new policy, chaplains will no longer display their rank insignia and instead wear symbols indicating their religious affiliation.

In a video announcement, Hegseth said the move was intended to highlight the spiritual wellbeing of service members, which he described as equally important as their physical and mental health. He criticised previous administrations for introducing what he called “political correctness and secular humanism” into the corps.

The Pentagon chief has long criticised diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the military, arguing they discourage young patriotic recruits. Data from the Defence Department indicates that roughly 70% of the U.S. military’s 1.3 million active-duty personnel identify as Christian.

Since taking office, Hegseth has also implemented a ban on transgender troops, removed diversity initiatives and launched reviews of women serving in combat roles and the department’s longstanding partnership with Scouting America.

Debate over religion and the military

Supporters say Hegseth’s religious expressions reflect long-standing traditions in the armed forces, where official events often begin with prayers delivered by chaplains.

Steven Bucci, a former Army Special Forces officer and visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said he believes the controversy has been overstated.

He said Hegseth’s references to Jesus when urging Americans to pray for troops reflect his personal faith rather than an attempt to impose religion on service members.

Others remain concerned that the growing prominence of religious rhetoric could undermine the military’s tradition of representing a broad cross-section of American society.

Matthew Taylor, a visiting scholar at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, said the military has historically sought to avoid ideological uniformity.

“The ideological consolidation of the military is something that we have historically not wanted,” Taylor said, adding that diversity within the armed forces has long been viewed as a strength.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 4 April 2026

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Hegseth is a poor confused guy. He gets mixed up between Jesus and the Devil.

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

Pete Hegseth’s increasing use of Christian language

It's most certainly old testament, but hardly Christian.

21 minutes ago, Stocky said:

It's most certainly old testament, but hardly Christian.

Yes. A good old Christian boy with a name like HegSETH.

When public figures like Trump and Hegseth start framing U.S. military action as “fighting for Jesus”, it crosses into territory that’s historically volatile.

I thought the U.S. military was officially secular, and made up of people from many different faiths. So, tying its mission to one religion undermines both its credibility and its constitutional principles!

This kind of language also feeds into the broader rise of radical religious nationalism in U.S. politics.

The real danger in Hegseth’s words is that it could be interpreted as normalising the idea that military force is somehow tied to a divine mandate.

That’s exactly the sort of framing that inflames tensions internationally and gives extremists on all sides ammunition.

The issue isn’t just the comments themselves, it’s the direction of the rhetoric and what it signals about where some parts of the U.S. political culture have been heading.

5 minutes ago, Jim Waldron said:

When public figures like Trump and Hegseth start framing U.S. military action as “fighting for Jesus”, it crosses into territory that’s historically volatile.

I thought the U.S. military was officially secular, and made up of people from many different faiths. So, tying its mission to one religion undermines both its credibility and its constitutional principles!

This kind of language also feeds into the broader rise of radical religious nationalism in U.S. politics.

The real danger in Hegseth’s words is that it could be interpreted as normalising the idea that military force is somehow tied to a divine mandate.

That’s exactly the sort of framing that inflames tensions internationally and gives extremists on all sides ammunition.

The issue isn’t just the comments themselves, it’s the direction of the rhetoric and what it signals about where some parts of the U.S. political culture have been heading.

Amen to that

Hegseth's personal FAKE! Anybody who thinks this guy has any kind of spiritual or moral fibre needs their eyes adjusted.

Totally clueless Pete Hegseth invokes Christian nationalism (which is neither Christian nor nationalist) to carry out military attacks to further the cause of Zionism (a real nationalist movement, but not a Christian one and not a religion).

He has zero idea what he is doing other than knowing what a dog whistle sounds like.

Hegseth is a white sock wearing weirdo. Same as most eggnog drinking white americans. A total weirdo.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/11/21/police-report-sheds-new-light-pentagon-nominee-hegseths-sexual-encounter-led-assault-allegation.html

Pete Hegseth: Police report details sexual assault allega...

Hegseth, a cabinet nominee of President-elect Donald Trump, denies any wrongdoing in the 2017 encounter.

Fanatical religious fruitcake.

Hmm... 😀

The Department of War (Crimes)

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), a Marine combat veteran, confirmed to MS NOW reporters that, “I know active-duty Marines who now refer to Pete Hegseth’s department as the Department of War Crimes. That’s because they do things like this, destroy civilian infrastructure, which, just to be clear, is a war crime.”

.Hegseth himself recently proclaimed "no quarter" will be given with Iran, which is against international law and the U.S. military handbook to even threaten to do.

Meanwhile, Trump has threatened to take out civilian energy infrastructure in Iran, which would also constitute a war crime since the only purpose is to worsen the living conditions of regular Iranian civilians.

Pete Hegseth's troops mock him behind his back: report

Worse that those fundamental Iskamists

Inspired by that great all time "christian and beacon of morality" DJT who would have Jesus arrested beaten and deported....Contray to what DJT likely thinks Jesus was not a blond haired blue eyed guy.

The Pentagon organised a sectarian Good Friday service. For Protestants only.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/news-live-updates_n_69ca6616e4b0128a9ef83bad/liveblog_69cfef6ce4b0d214cc7139b5

Jesus stopped supporting the USA long long ago, probably around 1492.

Besides, name one of the 10 Commandments that Trump has not broken?

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Just meat for the fundamentalists kinda sad and pathetic….I do admire the pope for calling him out on it!!im not a religious dude but I like how this pope uses his pulpit to call out the hypocrisy of this abomination oops administration and support real Christian values!

Perhaps he will insist that all troops have 'Gott Mit Uns' on their belt buckles.

That didn't end well for the Third Reich...........perhaps the Fourth Reich will be luckier?

On 4/4/2026 at 1:06 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Hegseth's personal FAKE! Anybody who thinks this guy has any kind of spiritual or moral fibre needs their eyes adjusted.

Addiction has many faces — some chemical, some political, some sacred

Some addictions do not only come in a glass or a syringe. Some come dressed as patriotism, religion, or ideology. They all promise clarity and purpose, but in the wrong hands they become intoxications of power.

When all those addictions meet in one person, he no longer thinks he has a problem. He thinks he has a mission.

On 4/4/2026 at 8:53 PM, Briggsy said:

Totally clueless Pete Hegseth invokes Christian nationalism (which is neither Christian nor nationalist) to carry out military attacks to further the cause of Zionism (a real nationalist movement, but not a Christian one and not a religion).

He has zero idea what he is doing other than knowing what a dog whistle sounds like.

He forgot 1 of the 10 commandments: "Thou shall not kill"

Hard to tell the Trump administration from the ayatollahs. Ethical level is about the same.

On 4/4/2026 at 9:30 AM, bannork said:

Hegseth himself recently proclaimed "no quarter" will be given

He probably doesn't know what no quarter means. Maybe he does now

22 minutes ago, bendejo said:

He probably doesn't know what no quarter means. Maybe he does now

I wonder if he knows what 1/3 is as in the A&W Burger.

Much confusion there also.

On 4/5/2026 at 6:14 AM, Roadsternut said:

The Pentagon organised a sectarian Good Friday service. For Protestants only.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/news-live-updates_n_69ca6616e4b0128a9ef83bad/liveblog_69cfef6ce4b0d214cc7139b5

Wish I'd known it was protesters only. I would have worn my new thongs...

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

He forgot 1 of the 10 commandments: "Thou shall not kill"

Thought it was his lawyers writing his creditors: Thou shalt not bill.

2 hours ago, bendejo said:

He probably doesn't know what no quarter means. Maybe he does now

25¢

Polls show the Iran war is broadly unpopular, but most Republicans approve of how Trump is handling the conflict. A CNN survey released last week found that while just 33% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling Iran, 73% of Republicans approve.

I am confident that all of these fine Chrisitan republicans will rush their sons and daughters and grand kids to quickly volunteer for military duty and ask to be sent to Iran so they can kill people and get killed in the name of jesus and dear leader.  No doubt Lyndsey Graham will be a rambo type platoon leader . with a canteen full of kool aide, waving a jesus loves trump flag as he crawls through the caves of Iran looking for people to shoot.  Meantime at home they will all be bitching to high heaven about the gas prices and no doubt try and blame it on biden or obama.