Pentagon Sermon Quotes Tarantino Film Instead of Scripture
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ignited controversy after delivering a prayer during a Pentagon worship service that bore a striking resemblance to a fictional Bible verse from the cult classic film Pulp Fiction. The incident occurred on Wednesday as Hegseth addressed attendees, including military personnel, in a sermon that left many questioning the authenticity of his scriptural reference.
Hegseth's Prayer Mirrors Samuel L. Jackson's Iconic Monologue
While discussing the recent Sandy 1 rescue mission, which successfully retrieved downed pilots stranded in Iran earlier this month, Hegseth urged the audience to join him in a prayer he claimed was recited at the mission's outset. He introduced it as "CSAR 25:17," an acronym for Combat Search and Rescue, asserting it reflected the biblical passage Ezekiel 25:17.
The prayer Hegseth delivered was: "The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil man. Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and duty, shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee. Amen."
Actual Scripture Versus Fictional Film Dialogue
Contrary to Hegseth's claim, the actual Ezekiel 25:17 from the Bible reads: "And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them." Instead, Hegseth's prayer closely parallels the fictional version delivered by Samuel L. Jackson's character, Jules Winnfield, in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film Pulp Fiction.
In the movie, Jackson's character recites: "The path of righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."
Social Media Backlash and Public Reaction
The sermon quickly gained attention on social media platforms, where users criticised Hegseth for the apparent mix-up. One X user remarked, "Wow this is embarrassing!" while another added, "Calling for peace is un-Christian, but Hegseth praying from Pulp Fiction is fine." A third user chimed in, "All these Republican clowns cosplay as Christians. It’s so aggravating." Hegseth did not clarify during his speech how the prayer was relayed to him by the rescue team, leaving the origins of the misattribution unclear.
The Pentagon has been contacted for comment regarding the incident, but no official statement has been released at this time. This episode highlights the potential pitfalls of public figures referencing pop culture in formal or religious contexts, especially when it involves sensitive topics like military operations and faith.
