I cannot fault the Pentagon for the reduction in recognized religions as the numbers had become unmanageable. We also had the problem of sharing an altar used for Mass and Protestant communion services with witches who conducted a so-called Black Mass. However, they were told that it could not be conducted in the nude as that violated the military code of conduct. The pentagram was the emblem for their chaplains. Both the Catholic and Protestant community subsequently had to rededicate the altar after its desecration. This sinister group were not regular worshipers but rather liked giving the finger to traditional believers. However, the reduction is rather drastic, from over 200 faith groups to just 31.
The Department of Defense has significantly narrowed the number of religious affiliations it officially tracks for U.S. troops, cutting the list from more than 200 faiths down to just 31. It is unfortunate that it has caused backlash from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) or Mormons as they were no longer classified as Christian. Given the influence of evangelicals, I am surprised that Catholics were also not given a separate designation; however, there is a strong Catholic presence among officers, especially in the Navy.
The Catholic Church would be more restrictive than the federal government about this. While we do not regard the Mormons as true Christians, we also reject the Jehovah Witnesses, Quakers and Christian Scientists. We would generally accept Pentecostals if they were baptized with water in the name of the Trinity, and not merely in Christ’s name. Due to vast variations, we would be uncertain about so-called non-denominational Christians and non-specified faith communities.
The thirty-one faiths retained are as follows:
- No Religion (NR)—around 29% of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated.
- Agnostic (AN)—around 0.5% of Americans.
- Christian—Evangelical (EV)—almost 25% of U.S. adults.
- Christian—Catholic (CA)—around 20% of Americans.
- Christian—Non-Denominational (ND)—around 6% of Americans.
- Christian—Methodist (ME)—approximately 3% of Americans.
- Christian—Pentecostal (PE)—around 3% of Americans.
- Christian—Lutheran (LU)—approximately 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Baptist (BA)—approximately 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Presbyterian (PR)—about 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Episcopal/Anglican (EA)—around 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Church of Christ (CC)—approximately 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Church of God (CG)—around 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Orthodox (OX)—around 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Assemblies of God (AG)—around 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Church of the Nazarene (CN)—around 0.6% of Americans.
- Christian—Seventh Day Adventist (SA)—approximately 0.5% of Americans.
- Christian—Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW)—less than 1% of Americans.
- Christian—Reformed (RE)—over 0.03% of Americans.
- Christian—Brethren (BR)—slightly more than 0.03% of Americans.
- Christian—Quaker (QU)—over 0.03% of Americans.
- Christian—Scientist (SC) No data.
- Christian—Other (CO) No data.
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJ)—around 1% of Americans.
- Judaism (Jewish) (JU)—about 2% of Americans.
- Islam (Muslim) (IS)—around 1% of Americans.
- Hindu (HI)—about 1% of Americans.
- Buddhism (BU)—approximately 1% of Americans.
- Baha’i Faith (BH)—more than 0.05%.
- Sikh (SI)—around 0.02% of Americans.
- Other Religions (OR) No data.
The doctrines proposed by the Mormons or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are radically distinct from the basic tenets of Christianity. It is true that they have a high regard for Jesus, but their Christology is a variation of the early heresy of Adoptionism. While Catholicism defines the godhead as ONE divine nature (God) in three divine Persons, Mormons divide the Holy Trinity into three distinct deities. Catholicism teaches that God exists from all eternity outside of time and space as spiritual and as the source for existence itself. He is the Creator of all. However, Mormonism teaches that God the Father was once man who underwent an “exaltation” and that he still has a physical body. Jesus is defined as his glorified offspring. Teaching eternal progression, they believe that we as offspring of God the Father and a Heavenly Mother can become gods, ourselves. This religion is polytheism. Genuine Christians are monotheists.
Two Utah lawmakers were angry about the non-Christian designation, even though it theologically it applies. However, if other “churches” that were not Christian could be so designated by the military, then one must wonder about credibility or competence in making such official categorizations. Given the importance of the Mormons to the Republicans, it does not surprise me that today the broad CHRISTIAN designations have been removed.
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