The Defense Department has officially reduced the number of religious identities recognized for military personnel from more than 200 to just 31. This dramatic cut includes the removal of approximately 180 faiths, such as atheism, paganism, Wicca, and various other belief systems. Critics, including Americans United and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), have condemned the decision, arguing that it undermines the constitutional rights of service members and limits their ability to express their diverse beliefs.