United States military commanders have reportedly used extremist Christian rhetoric regarding biblical “end times” to justify their involvement in the Iran war to troops.
The Guardian UK cited complaints submitted to a watchdog group, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, MRFF.
The MRFF says it has gotten over 200 complaints from military personnel in all different branches of the armed forces, such as the marines, air force, and space force.
One complainant, identified as a noncommissioned officer, NCO, told MRFF in a complaint viewed by the Guardian that their commander had “urged us to tell our troops that this was ‘all part of God’s divine plan’ and he specifically referenced numerous citations from the Book of Revelation referring to Armageddon and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.”
The NCO added that they have been made to believe that “President Trump has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran, which will lead to Armageddon and mark His return to Earth.”
The NCO’s complaint was filed on behalf of 15 troops, including 11 Christians, one Muslim person and one Jewish person. The complaint was first given to Jonathan Larsen, an independent journalist, by MRFF.
Mikey Weinstein, the president of MRFF and a former air force veteran, told the Guardian, “Every time Israel or the US is involved in the Middle East, people talk a lot about Christian nationalists taking over our government and definitely our military.”
He added, “Military members are not really able to stand up for themselves, because your military superior is not your shift manager at Starbucks.”
In a statement, Weinstein said the reports show more Christian extremism in the military. He mentioned that the people who came forward said their commanders feel very happy without any limits, believing they are fighting a war that is approved by the Bible and is a clear sign that the fundamentalist Christian End Times are coming soon.
He also said the complaints show a clear break between church and government.
Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, is known, according the Guardian UK, for his embrace of Christian nationalism. He once supported the idea of “sphere sovereignty,” which comes from the strict views of Christian reconstructionism.
US soldiers told Iran war part of God’s plan, Trump anointed to bring Armageddon
