The Department of Defense recently changed the religions and beliefs that it recognizes. If this change has had a negative impact on you, we may be able to help.
Secretary Hegseth’s actions will deprive atheist service members of vital resources and support.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced major changes to the list of faiths and beliefs that members of the armed forces can officially designate for themselves. The new list eliminates more than 180 of the 211 previously existing codes, including atheists, Humanists, and Unitarian Universalists, who now only have the option to classify themselves as “agnostic.”
American Atheists encourages anyone serving in the U.S. military who is impacted by this change to let us know by completing this form. Our staff will reach out to you for further information.
This change denies nonreligious members of our armed forces the opportunity to seek the same protections available to their theistic comrades. Just because we have nontheistic beliefs doesn’t mean we can be deprived of our right to be recognized, hold meetings, or to seek accommodations when faced with violations of our beliefs.
This is just the latest action taken by this administration to privilege certain religious viewpoints — namely those of conservative Christians — at the expense of atheists, Humanists, and minority religious communities.
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