Utah senators slam Pentagon over excluding LDS from Christian designation
Utah Sens. John Curtis (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) criticized the Pentagon after learning that the Department of War’s revised list of religious affiliation codes does not categorize members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the broader Christian designation.
TL;DR
- Sens. John Curtis (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) criticized the Pentagon's revised religious affiliation codes.
- The new list does not categorize members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Christian.
- Sen. Curtis called the classification unacceptable, stating the government should not define a faith against its own teachings.
- Sen. Lee pointed out the church's name and logo include 'Jesus Christ'.
- The Pentagon reduced religious affiliation codes from approximately 211 to 31.
- Department officials stated the change is administrative, not theological, aimed at improving spiritual care and resource allocation for chaplains.
- The Pentagon emphasized its commitment to the First Amendment and the free exercise of religion.