Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Joins Colleagues in Requesting Investigation into Reports that Military Leaders Claim War in Iran Part of Biblical End-Times Prophecies

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) joined Congressional Freethought Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08), House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel Ranking Member Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and 26 of their colleagues in requesting U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General Platte B. Moring III open an investigation into reports that servicemembers have lodged anonymous complaints about military commanders invoking religious prophecy and apocalyptic theology to justify the United States' military actions in Iran.

"Members of the United States Armed Forces swear an oath to support and defend our secular Constitution-not any specific religious doctrines-and servicemembers must be able to carry out their duties free from coercive religious messaging by their chain of command," the members wrote. "Our military, like our nation, reflects a diversity of religious beliefs and perspectives including many non-Christians and non-religious individuals. The Department of Defense has long recognized that proselytizing by commanders can undermine trust within units and erode the professionalism that is essential to effective military operations."

"At a time when billions of dollars and untold numbers of lives hang in the balance while the Trump administration wages a war of choice in Iran, the imperative of maintaining strict separation of church and state and protecting the religious freedom of our troops is especially critical," the members continued. "We must ensure that military operations are guided by facts and the law, not end-times prophecy and extreme religious beliefs."

Congresswoman Fletcher and her colleagues requested the DOD investigate and report back to Congress on several matters, including:

1. Whether military commanders or other officers have made statements to subordinates asserting that U.S. military operations against Iran are part of a religious prophecy, divine plan, or apocalyptic religious event, and if so, where such communications originated within the chain of command.
2. Whether any such statements constitute violations of Department of Defense policies.
3. Whether servicemembers who reported these concerns experienced retaliation or fear of retaliation within their units.
4. Whether additional guidance or action is warranted to ensure that personal religious beliefs are not used to justify or frame U.S. military operations.

To read the full text of the letter, click here.