{
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    "data": {
        "id": 1637597,
        "msgid": "at-pentagon-prayer-service-us-defence-secretary-calls-for-extraordinary-violence-1774579876",
        "date": "2026-03-27 09:22:24",
        "title": "At Pentagon Prayer Service, US Defence Secretary Calls for Extraordinary Violence",
        "author": "Fitriyan Zamzami",
        "source": "REPUBLIKA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth invoked \"extraordinary acts of violence\" against enemies in a monthly Christian prayer service at the Pentagon, praying for divine guidance in military actions following recent US strikes on Iran. This comes amid legal challenges to the voluntary Christian services for allegedly violating church-state separation, and Hegseth's broader push to integrate explicit religious symbols into the military chaplain corps. The remarks occur against the backdrop of escalating Middle East conflict, which has killed thousands and driven up global energy prices, stoking inflation fears.",
        "content": "<p>REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON \u2013 Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called\nfor \u201cextraordinary acts of violence\u201d during the monthly Christian prayer\nservice held at the Pentagon yesterday. In connection with the US attack\non Iran, he prayed that \u201cGod\u201d would show no mercy to those \u201cunworthy of\ncompassion\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>According to USA Today, he made these remarks a day after announcing\nmajor changes to the military chaplain corps. Speaking to military and\ncivilian employees at the live-streamed service, Hegseth quoted the\nBible and recited a prayer that he said was first uttered by a military\nchaplain during past US operations.<\/p>\n<p>The prayer beseeched God to \u201clet every bullet find its mark against\nthe enemies of truth and our great nation\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGrant them wisdom in every decision, resilience in the trials to\ncome, unbreakable unity, and extraordinary acts of violence against\nthose unworthy of mercy,\u201d said Hegseth. He also asked God to \u201cbreak the\nteeth of the wicked\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>On 23 March, the advocacy group Americans United for Separation of\nChurch and State filed a lawsuit opposing Christian worship services at\nthe Pentagon, according to Military.com. The reason is that the services\nviolate constitutional boundaries regarding government support for\nreligion, even if considered voluntary.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven if these services are held voluntarily, there is pressure on\nfederal employees to attend to appease their superiors,\u201d said President\nand CEO of Americans United Rachel Laser in a statement shared with the\noutlet.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, Hegseth announced that military chaplains would\ndisplay their religious symbols alongside their officer ranks. They\n\u201cwill stand out among the highest ranks because of their divine\ncalling,\u201d Hegseth said in a video posted to X.<\/p>\n<p>The change reflects Hegseth\u2019s broader efforts to instil more explicit\nreligious sentiment among chaplains and the military more widely.<\/p>\n<p>Hegseth\u2019s prayer was offered several weeks after the United States\nand Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February amid discussions\nabout the nuclear programme.<\/p>\n<p>The war has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands of\npeople and hitting the global economy with surging energy prices,\nthereby triggering concerns about global inflation.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/at-pentagon-prayer-service-us-defence-secretary-calls-for-extraordinary-violence-1774579876",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}