Militarised Theocracy: How US War Culture Weaponises Scripture to Recruit for Endless Conflict
Original framing: “Hegseth slammed for 'blasphemous' use of bible passage in military recruitment drive” — Middle East Eye
In many non-Western contexts, the militarisation of religion is seen as a tool of imperialism rather than a matter of blasphemy. For example, in Africa, where Christian and Muslim leaders have historically resisted colonial rule, such rhetoric would be viewed as a continuation of divide-and-rule strategies. Meanwhile, in Asia, the use of religious justifications for war evokes memories of Japanese imperialism’s 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere,' where Shinto was weaponised to legitimise conquest. The cross-cultural perspective reveals that this is not an isolated incident but a recurring tactic in global power struggles.
This incident is not merely about 'blasphemy' but a symptom of a deeper systemic crisis: the fusion of militarism, capitalism, and theological nationalism in US foreign policy.
The historical pattern—from the Crusades to the 'war on terror'—reveals how faith is repeatedly weaponised to justify imperial expansion, while the economic and geopolitical drivers of war remain obscured. The cross-cultural perspective exposes this as a global tactic, where marginalised communities bear the brunt of violence while Western powers frame themselves as defenders of civilisation. The trickster dimension cuts through the performative outrage to reveal the hypocrisy: the same institutions now condemning Hegseth have a long history of using religious language to justify wars. Solutions must address the root causes—economic incentives for war, the lack of civilian oversight in foreign policy, and the absence of marginalised voices in these debates—through demilitarisation, truth commissions, and youth education. The path forward lies in breaking the cycle of militarised religion by centering peace, restorative justice, and economic alternatives to war.