Written by Don Byrd
The last several years has seen the U.S. military greatly expand its recognition of servicemembers of minority faiths. That trend has extended to the assignment of military chaplains to some degree. While the vast majority are Christian, there are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu chaplains, for example, among the 2,900 active-duty chaplains in military.
Where military chaplain demographics have not reflected the population is in the area of humanist, agnostic, or atheist personnel. Some argue that the idea of a non-religious chaplain is a contradiction in terms. Others, like Jason Heap, see an opportunity to provide needed counsel to a growing population.
Last week, the Navy turned down Heap’s application to become a chaplain as a humanist. Religion News Service explains:
Due to the highly competitive nature of the board, less than 50 percent of the applicants could be recommended for a commission in the United States Navy,” said Lt. Hayley C. Sims, a spokeswoman for the chief of naval personnel.
Heap, who was endorsed by the Humanist Society and holds master’s degrees from Brite Divinity School and Oxford University, told Religion News Service last year that he had completed all the paperwork and passed the necessary physical tests.
“This is my chance to give back to my country,” he said at the time. “I want to use my skills on behalf of our people in the service.”
