DOD removes "Christian" label from recognized religions after fury over Mormonism's exclusion
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The Department of Defense has revised its new, shortened list of recognized religions after fury from Utah political leaders over not classifying Mormonism as a "Christian" faith.
Why it matters: The omission is stoking ire between conservative Latter-day Saints and the rest of the religious right, as some Evangelical Christians reiterate claims that the Utah-based faith is "demonic" and a "cult."
Catch up quick: The DOD drastically reduced its list of 211 religions officially recognized for the purpose of military chaplains' services, Military.com reported last week.
- Mormonism is among the 31 faiths that remain — but unlike Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutherans, Christian Scientists and others, Latter-day Saints weren't initially listed as "Christian."
Driving the news: The department revised its list to remove the "Christian" descriptor on Monday, saying the original contained "redundant and unnecessary labeling."
Yes, but: Mormonism's omission from the label had already produced a firestorm, as members of Utah's congressional delegation — all Latter-day Saints — defended their faith's belonging in the Christian fold.
- That led to an onslaught of condemnation from others identifying as Christians, who argued the Book of Mormon is heresy and the faith's founder Joseph Smith was a false prophet.
What they're saying: "The U.S. government has no business recognizing the Christianity of literally every other religious sect that worships Jesus Christ — with one exception," Sen. Mike Lee posted Sunday on X.
The big picture: Church leaders have long tried to partner with evangelicals on political goals, highlight the two groups' similarities and join other conservative faith groups in legal fights.
- The church also has eliminated some of the faith's uniquely Mormon features, from elaborate pageants to the word "Mormon" itself — measures some members and critics say are part of leaders' effort to ingratiate themselves with evangelicals.
Yes, but: Polling shows evangelicals aren't returning LDS affection.
Meanwhile, Mormon political solidarity with the right may be eroding. Latter-day Saints are one of just two major American religious groups that became more Democratic in the past two decades, a study this year showed.
Zoom out: That shift is getting national attention, especially because Arizona's 11 electoral votes could turn blue if enough Latter-day Saints there keep moving left.