1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

The Constitution Forbids Religious War. Say So Publicly or Explain Why You Won’t. Dear Senator / Representative, The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is unambiguous. It states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The Establishment Clause, as interpreted by the Supreme Court across more than a century of precedent, prohibits the government from favoring one religion over another, from treating any religion as an enemy of the state, and from taking government action whose primary purpose is religious rather than secular. House Speaker Mike Johnson has publicly stated that the United States must wage war against Iran because of its “misguided religion.” That statement is not just offensive. It is unconstitutional. It describes a religious purpose for a military action — which is precisely what the Establishment Clause forbids. Under the Supreme Court’s standard established in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), any government action must have a primary secular purpose. Waging war on a country because of its religion fails that test entirely. This matters beyond Johnson’s words. Military commanders have told troops in formal combat briefings that this war is God’s divine plan, that President Trump was anointed by Jesus to trigger Armageddon, and that the Book of Revelation prophesied this mission. Over 110 service members across 40 units at 30 installations have filed formal complaints with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. These briefings are an unconstitutional establishment of religion within the United States Armed Forces — a direct violation of both the First Amendment and Department of Defense Directive 1300.17, which requires accommodation of religious freedom and prohibits the imposition of religious belief through command authority. I am asking you to do three things. State publicly, today, in your own words, that the United States does not make war to convert, punish, or condemn any religion. This is not a partisan statement. It is a constitutional one. It should take you thirty seconds. Condemn Speaker Johnson’s remarks by name. A Speaker who cites religion as justification for war is promoting government action with a religious purpose — which is unconstitutional regardless of which religion is involved. Demand a full investigation into the Armageddon briefings being delivered to U.S. troops. Commanders who violated the First Amendment and DoD Directive 1300.17 must be held accountable. Service members who filed complaints must be protected from retaliation. The framers built the wall between church and state because they understood that government power combined with religious zeal produces tyranny. That wall is being demolished in real time — in the Speaker’s press conferences and in our military’s combat briefings. You swore an oath to the Constitution that contains that wall. Uphold it. Say so publicly. Today.