Huffman, 29 other lawmakers call for investigation into claims of end times ideology driving Iran war

A handful of Congressional Freethought Caucus members, including North Coast U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, called for an investigation into reports that military commanders are using religious ideology to justify the war in Iran.

“Some commanders have reportedly told subordinates that the American and Israeli attacks will hasten the return of Jesus Christ, and have cited passages from the Book of Revelation and instructed officers to tell their troops that current combat operations are all part of God’s divine plan,” the letter signed by 30 members of Congress states. “If accurate, these outrageous statements — justifying a war based on interpretations of biblical prophecies, and informing troops that they are risking their lives to advance a specific religious vision — raises not only glaring Constitutional concerns, but potential violations of Department of Defense regulations regarding religious neutrality and breaches of professional obligations and standards expected of military leadership.”

Since Feb. 28, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation has received more than 200 calls from more than 50 military installations reporting “pronouncements from their Christian zealot commanders,” a posting on the organization’s website states.

...

For full article, click here.

• Print
• Email
• Tweet