{
  "id": 8984278,
  "title": "Hegseth slammed for 'blasphemous' use of bible passage in military recruitment drive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/hegseth-slammed-for-blasphemous-use-of-bible-passage-in-military",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T19:03:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hegseth-slammed-blasphemous-use-bible-passage-military-recruitment-drive"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Military recruitment drive draws backlash after Pete Hegseth uses a Bible passage in a war chant aimed at young recruits. The former US Secretary of War appeared at Texas A&M University, where he led a chant invoking the biblical verse from Isaiah, Chapter 6, Verse 8, which reads, \"Lord, I am here. Send me.\" Hegseth urged the audience, \"Send me to go fight the Islamists,\" in front of a group of college students. This use of religious rhetoric sparked outrage from various Christian groups, who condemned it as a violation of the First Amendment and religious extremism. Critics argue that Hegseth is using scripture to frame military service as a Christian crusade.",
  "summary": "Hegseth slammed for 'blasphemous' use of bible passage in military recruitment drive Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 09/21/2026 - 18:42 Hegseth led a chant in front of young military recruits that had the refrain 'send me to go fight the Islamists' US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth poses for a photo during a game at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, on 19 September 2026 (Zach Del Bello/Getty…",
  "key_points": [
    "Pete Hegseth used Bible verse in military chant",
    "Isaiah 6:8 verse \"Lord, I am here. Send me.\"",
    "Criticism for framing service as Christian crusade"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Hegseth slammed for 'blasphemous' use of bible passage in military recruitment drive",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/hegseth-slammed-for-blasphemous-use-of-bible-passage-in-military-8991295",
        "published": "2026-09-21T19:32:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}