United States military commanders have reportedly invoked extremist Christian rhetoric about biblical “end times” to justify the country’s involvement in the war with Iran to troops.
The development was reported by The Guardian UK, citing complaints submitted to a watchdog organisation, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, MRFF.
According to the MRFF, it has received more than 200 complaints from military personnel across several branches of the armed forces, including the Marines, Air Force and Space Force.
One complainant, identified as a noncommissioned officer, NCO, told MRFF in a complaint reviewed 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 further stated that they were led 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 complaint, which was submitted on behalf of 15 troops including 11 Christians, one Muslim and one Jewish service member was first shared with independent journalist Jonathan Larsen by MRFF.
Mikey Weinstein, president of MRFF and a former Air Force officer, 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 indicate growing concerns about Christian extremism within the military. He explained that those who filed the complaints believe their commanders are acting without restraint, convinced they are fighting a war sanctioned by the Bible and that it signals the approach of the fundamentalist Christian End Times.
He also said the complaints highlight what he described as a clear violation of the separation between church and government.
Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, is known, according to The Guardian UK, for his support of Christian nationalism. He has previously endorsed the concept of “sphere sovereignty,” an idea rooted in the strict ideology of Christian reconstructionism.