Published 12/08/2025 15:30 | Edited 13/08/2025 07:54
United States Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, caused controversy by publishing, on social network X, a video with pastors’ lines arguing that women are not entitled to vote and not occupy leadership functions. The material, displayed in a report by North American CNN, already exceeds 5 million views.
The video brings statements by Doug Wilson, a Christian nationalist pastor and co -founder of the communion of evangelical reformed churches (CREC), who defends the US transformation into “a Christian nation” and the exclusive role of men as leaders, including the Armed Forces. Another pastor, Toby Sumpter, suggests that the vote is exercised only by a man by home after consultation with the family.
Hegseth’s action takes place amid an offensive from the Trump administration to promote Christian nationalism, including Christian cults in the Pentagon and the creation of a White House Faith Office. The episode also coincides with the president’s fall of popularity between women: research shows that female approval to the government fell from 42% to 39% between May and July 2024.
Secretary’s links with ultra -conservative religious leaders
After the publication, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that Hegseth is “a proud member” of a CREC-affiliated church and that he appreciates Wilson’s teachings. CNN also revealed that the secretary and his family participated in the inaugural worship of the Wilson Church in Washington in July.
Pastor Wilson’s history includes abject statements, such as the defense that there was “mutual affection” between slaves and gentlemen in the period of slavery.
Criticism of progressives and experts
For Doug Pagitt, pastor and director of the Progressive Evangelical Organization Vote Common Good, the republication of the video for Hegseth is “very disturbing” and reveals the attempt to amplify extremist ideas.
Sociologist Andrew Whitehead, an expert in Christian nationalism, pointed out that the purpose of this movement is to “transform personal beliefs into laws”, imposing a conservative religious model on society.
Although the 1st amendment of the Constitution prohibits the establishment of an official religion, jurists remember that the interpretation of the text is ambiguous and often the target of political dispute.
Source: vermelho.org.br
