Pentagon Revises 31-Faith List After Mike Lee Protest Over LDS Exclusion
Updated
Updated · TPM · Jun 9
Pentagon Revises 31-Faith List After Mike Lee Protest Over LDS Exclusion
3 articles · Updated · TPM · Jun 9
Summary
A revised Pentagon list now names 31 religions without labeling any as “Christian,” replacing an earlier version that grouped several denominations under Christianity but excluded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mike Lee pushed for changes after the initial coding drew complaints from LDS lawmakers; the Pentagon said its role is to respect sincerely held faiths, not settle theological disputes.
The streamlining effort cut a roster that had grown to more than 200 affiliations, and the new list still leaves out some groups, including atheists and Unitarian Universalists.
The dispute highlights broader tension inside the MAGA-aligned religious right, where some evangelical figures close to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have openly argued Mormonism is not Christian.