In a recent incident, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stirred controversy by sharing a video on X that highlighted a Christian nationalist church. Within the nearly seven-minute clip, various pastors publicly advocated for the repeal of women’s voting rights and promoted the idea that women should “submit” to their husbands. Hegseth’s repost reflects his strong ties to a pastor whose views on women and religion are highly polarising.
The video was produced by CNN and focuses on Doug Wilson, a co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). In his accompanying post, Hegseth echoed the sentiment, stating, “All of Christ for All of Life.” The post garnered significant attention, attracting over 12,000 likes and 2,000 shares on the platform, prompting a mix of agreement and concern among users regarding the depiction of Christian nationalist ideologies.
Sean Parnell, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, confirmed that Hegseth is a dedicated member of a church associated with CREC and appreciates Wilson’s writings and teachings. This connection has raised eyebrows, especially as Hegseth has been actively involved in hosting Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, including inviting his personal pastor, Brooks Potteiger, for these events during official working hours. Invitations to these services were reportedly sent to Defence Department employees and military personnel via government emails.
The video also featured strong statements from Wilson, who expressed a desire to transform the nation and world into a “Christian nation.” This call for a theocratic vision echoes wider concerns about the interplay between faith and politics in contemporary American society, particularly regarding the rights and roles of women.
The uproar surrounding Hegseth’s actions highlights a growing divide in public opinion on the influence of religious beliefs in governance and the implications for women’s rights. As these discussions continue, the debate over Christian nationalism and its impact on American values remains prominently in the spotlight.