A Letter to Tennessee Representatives from Jeanell, Independant Pagan Clergy

In an era where religious freedoms for our troops is up in the air, we are writing letters to our reps to protect these freedoms for our troops! Below is a letter written in partnership with both active duty and retired military personel.

Dear Senator/Representative,

I am writing as a Tennessee constituent, an ordained minister, and a member of the Heathen and Pagan community.

I am deeply concerned by recent reports that the Department of Defense has significantly reduced its religious affiliation coding system and that many minority faith traditions, iincluding Pagan, Heathen, Ásatrú, Wiccan, and Druid traditions, have been removed from official classification systems.

I understand that some may view these changes as administrative. However, for many service members and veterans, recognition is not merely a matter of paperwork. Recognition affects visibility, representation, and the assurance that minority faith communities are acknowledged within the institutions they serve.

For decades, service members, chaplains, veterans, and advocates worked to ensure that Americans of minority faith traditions received equal treatment and equal respect. Those efforts were grounded in the principles of the First Amendment and the longstanding American commitment to religious liberty.

My concern is not that accommodations exist for other faith communities. In fact, I fully support the rights of Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, Christians, and all Americans to practice their faith freely and receive appropriate accommodations. The military has demonstrated that it is capable of recognizing and accommodating sincerely held religious beliefs across a wide range of traditions.

That is precisely why I am concerned.

If equality is the principle, then it must apply equally.

I do not seek fewer rights for anyone else. I seek equal treatment for all faith communities, including Pagan, Heathen, Ásatrú, Wiccan, Druid, and other minority faith traditions.

I am also seeking clarification regarding how decisions were made concerning which religious distinctions would remain recognized and which would be consolidated or removed.

If the primary goal was administrative simplification or reduction in the number of religious affiliation codes, it is reasonable to ask how that standard was applied across all faith groups.

Numerous Christian denominations continue to maintain distinct recognition despite sharing broad theological foundations under the umbrella of Christianity. At the same time, Pagan, Heathen, Ásatrú, Wiccan, Druid, and other minority traditions appear to have been consolidated or removed despite representing distinct religious identities with their own beliefs, practices, histories, and communities.

I am not arguing that Christian denominations should lose recognition. Rather, I am asking why similar distinctions appear to be preserved in some cases while being eliminated in others.

If equal treatment is the guiding principle, then transparency regarding these decisions is essential.

I respectfully request clarification regarding the criteria used to determine which faith traditions retained distinct recognition and which did not.

I respectfully ask:

Why were these religious affiliation codes removed or consolidated?

What criteria were used to determine which faith traditions would remain recognized?

What impact assessment was conducted regarding affected service members and veterans?

How will the Department of Defense ensure that members of minority faith traditions continue to receive equal consideration and accommodation?

What steps, if any, are being taken to restore recognition for affected communities?

In addition to this letter, I am including supporting documentation, testimony, and interviews from active-duty service members and veterans who have firsthand experience with religious accommodation, minority faith recognition, and the practical impact these decisions may have on service members.

While these individuals speak only for themselves and not on behalf of the Department of Defense, their experiences demonstrate that this issue extends beyond administrative classification and affects real Americans who have sworn an oath to serve this nation.

I respectfully ask that their voices be considered alongside any policy review, oversight effort, or inquiry related to these changes.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Not some religions.

Not popular religions.

Not religions approved by the majority.

All religions.

Article VI of the Constitution further declares:

"No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

These principles are not reserved for majority faiths. They exist specifically to protect minority beliefs and ensure that no American is treated as less worthy of recognition because of their religion.

The promise of this nation has never been that we must all believe the same thing.

The promise has been that we are free to believe differently.

As a citizen, I believe these questions deserve clear answers.

As a faith leader, I believe it is my responsibility to speak when members of my community feel unseen or unheard.

Recognition matters.

Visibility matters.

Representation matters.

Every right and accommodation enjoyed by minority faith communities today exists because someone before us stood up and demanded to be seen.

I respectfully request your attention to this matter and would appreciate any information your office can provide regarding the Department of Defense's decision and any oversight efforts being undertaken.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your attention to the concerns of your constituents.

Respectfully,

Rev. Jeanell Miller, Gythia

Independent Pagan Clergy

Clarksville, Tennessee

millerjeanell52@gmail.com