What Happens if an Employer Does Not Hire You Because of Your Religious Tattoos?

Tattoos have a long and complex history among Christians. Various sources claim that some early Christians may have tattooed themselves with symbols of their faith – including crosses and fish. Some say that tattoos may have been used to convert pagan tribes to Christianity, as tattooing was already an important part of their culture. Crusaders – including the Knights Templar – also routinely tattooed their bodies with symbols of their faith. 

On the other hand, there are Christian groups that have always viewed tattoos as taboo. Various scriptures ban tattoos and other forms of “self-mutilation,” and this practice remains controversial and divisive among Christians today. Regardless of what you believe, the history of tattooing in Christian culture is particularly relevant today because of a recent controversy involving a Department of Defense nominee’s religious tattoos.

Religious Tattoos in the Crosshairs

The Jerusalem Cross is a symbol that dates back to the early Crusades. It consists of a larger Greek cross surrounded by four smaller crosses, and members of the Catholic clergy wear it to this day. This, along with the Latin phrase “Deus vult,” (God wills it), is tattooed on Pete Hegseth’s body. 

It is problematic to characterize the Jerusalem Cross as a white nationalist symbol, as many have done after discovering the presence of these tattoos. For starters, it is predominately associated with the Middle East, and you can find it throughout areas like Israel and Gaza. 

Many Christians who carry out pilgrimages to the Holy Land get religious tattoos during their travels, including the Jerusalem Cross. These include members of the British Royal family, according to the Washington Examiner. 

Many on social media immediately characterized Hegseth’s cross tattoo as a Nazi swastika. Although the symbol might be shocking or disturbing to some people, the Jerusalem Cross is not a swastika, and it has no real associations with the Nazi party. This confusion may stem from the (vague) similarity between the German “iron cross” and the Jerusalem cross. However, it is important to note that the iron cross was the symbol of the German military before Hitler took power – and it remains the symbol of the German armed forces to this day. 

Is “Deus Vult” a White Nationalist Motto?

The phrase “Deus vult” is perhaps more controversial than the Jerusalem Cross. This controversy stems from the phrase’s use as a battle cry during the Crusades, and crusaders would often scream these words before charging into a fight. Often, those on the receiving end of this charge were Muslims. 

Some have also pointed out that the phrase has been tattooed on legitimate white nationalists. These include the perpetrator of the 2023 Texas mall shooting in Allen and the Quebec City mosque shooting of 2017. 

Others say that the significance of “Deus vult” goes beyond battle cries and right-wing terrorism. At around the same time as the Crusades, notable clergy members like Robert the Monk used the phrase in speeches on general reform and orthodoxy while also speaking about Christian Greeks who were under threat by expanding Islamic armies. 

Like all Americans, Pete Hegseth enjoys protection from religious discrimination under the Civil Rights Act. If he is denied his position at the Department of Defense, specifically because of his religious tattoos, one has to wonder whether this is a legitimate form of religious discrimination. 

The Goal of the Universal Life Church’s Blog

The basis of many religious rights can be found in the United States Constitution. Each year, however, countless cases test the boundaries of these rights. The Universal Life Church’s blog is dedicated to documenting the most noteworthy of these cases.