Pentagon Revises 31 Faith Codes After Backlash Over Mormon Christian Omission
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 8
Pentagon Revises 31 Faith Codes After Backlash Over Mormon Christian Omission
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 8
Summary
A revised Pentagon list stripped the “Christian” label from multiple denominations after criticism that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was excluded from Christian-designated categories.
The first version, shared last week, formalized 31 religious affiliations for service members, with 21 labeled as variations of Christianity and Latter-day Saints listed separately.
Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Mike Kennedy, both Utah Republicans, called the original list offensive and wrong, arguing the government should not referee doctrinal disputes; Lee later praised the correction.
The change fits Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s broader overhaul of military religious codes, which he said had grown to more than 200 and become impractical for chaplains and personnel systems.