‘Office of Religious Affairs’ reporting to Pete Hegseth established at the Pentagon

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced the establishment of a new unit within the Pentagon called the “Office of Religious Affairs.” Hegseth stated that the office will work in direct communication with him and aims to provide support to military personnel on religious matters.

In his statement, Hegseth announced the establishment of the new unit with religious references, saying, “Today, at my direction, I am establishing the Office of Religious Affairs, which will communicate directly with me. As Psalm 33:12 encourages us, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

Stating that they aim to offer “first-class religious support” to military personnel with the office opened at the Pentagon, Hegseth argued that the ministry is not only conducting a physical struggle, but that the “real war is spiritual.”

Hegseth said, “Our department is, so to speak, putting on the full armor of God because while we are fighting a physical war, we all know that the real war is spiritual. God is good, evil is not. America’s military must understand this difference.”

The US Secretary of Defense also mentioned that some new units, such as the Autonomous Warfare Command, have been established, stating that all these structures would be incomplete “without faith.” Hegseth expressed that faith is the “most fundamental part” of the republic established in the US.

CRITICISM OF THE DECISION

Hegseth also claimed that less than 5 percent of US soldiers are non-believers, while 95 percent are believers. However, the new office has sparked debate regarding the rights of soldiers belonging to different faiths.

The non-governmental organization Americans United accused Hegseth of “strengthening Christian nationalism” in the US military. The organization warned that the new office at the Pentagon could harm the rights of soldiers of different faiths.

Hegseth had previously been the target of criticism from various groups for organizing monthly Christian prayer services at the Pentagon and frequently including religious rhetoric in his public speeches.

News Source: 12punto