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Left to Right: Jason Torpy, Greg Epstein and David Plummer
Jason Torpy, President of the Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers , along with Coalition of Spirit-filled Churches Endorser David Plummer, Chair-Elect of the COMISS Network, joined Chaplain Greg Epstein, Harvard Humanist Chaplain, on Monday, October 3rd, 2011, for a panel discussion at Harvard Divinity School. The event was a joint venture of the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard, the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, Harvard Divinity School, and the American Humanist Association.
The conversation began with definitions of Humanists, Freethinkers, Atheists – “non-theists.” Torpy stated that officially the military reports 1% of all personnel self-identifying as “Atheist.” But he quickly added that up to 20% reported themselves as “no religious preference.” He went on to say that it was very possible that many of these folks were non-theists who are afraid of persecution or discrimination for their worldviews or were non-theists and felt that humanists were more likely to be represented in the “No Religious Preference” (NRP) than any other demographic. Torpy emphasized that he was not trying to "take credit" for the NRP demographic and instead cited several Department of Defense studies that there are more Humanists than Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, or Muslims to show that non-theists are a significant minority.
Epstein stated that presently there are several Humanist chaplains serving civilian institutions in North America, including Rutgers and Columbia. A representative from the American Ethical Union referenced chaplains their organization endorses who serve in hospitals. Torpy referenced the Netherlands where there are more Humanist chaplains than any other single group.
Plummer read through the regulations concerning the appointment of chaplains and their roles from the Army’s AR-165-1. He stated that for non-theist chaplains to become a reality that there needed to be a regularly-gathering community of like-minded laypeople who meet for idea exchange/doctrine, mutual support, and community/relationship-building. It was discussed that given the opportunity, non-theists at various government installations would enjoy gathering for those stated purposes. It was noted that there are several such active groups of military folks meeting at military installations now (http://www.militaryatheists.org/network.html). Once such community is at Fort Bragg, NC and that when they applied with the installation authorities to hold a public concert and lecture, the opportunity and support for it was afforded to them, and then rescinded. After many conversations, it is currently “on” again and scheduled for 31 March 2012 (http://rockbeyondbelief.com/). Torpy noted that his organization has produced some helpful literature for educating military chaplains and informing potential non-theistic congregants of opportunities and organizations to have their chaplaincy needs met. Plummer stated that it may be time for the military to re-look at their definitions of “faith groups,” and “religion,” in addition to the qualifications of chaplains. “Clearly,” Plummer stated, “non-theists should have the right to be just that without any discrimination or harassment, and to have their needs of opportunities for ideas exchanges, as well as fellowship with like-minded people met -- and to enjoy bad potluck meals like everyone else!”
Torpy stated that often, the red herring provided in opposition to support for atheists and humanists is that we aren't a religion. The Department of Defense provides for one test of what is and is not a religion. That is that a chaplain endorser must have a "church" tax exemption from the IRS, which is outlined in Internal Revenue Code 170b1Ai. The Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers represents the American Ethical Union (aeu.org) and the Humanist Society (humanist-society.org), both of which are humanist organizations that hold IRS church exemptions, so military regulations have no explicit "religion" barrier to humanist chaplains.
Epstein asked what would be necessary to finally get a non-theistic chaplaincy up and running and to insure that theistic chaplains respected and served non-theist military personnel and their families as they do theistic service-members. Plummer responded that he felt that the only way to make that happen is for the military to establish and enforce a mandatory Statement of Professional Ethics – with significant penalties for violation – that all military chaplains must affirm in order to serve, similar to those that are presently used by the civilian professional chaplain certifying organizations. Torpy emphatically concurred and offered assistance in drafting such a statement, at least to provide for the humanistic and naturalistic perspective.
Credits for the photographs:
Photos are from the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard’s Facebook website.
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Editor's Note: David Plummer is a CPSP Diplomate, a Life Member of the Military Chaplains Association and he is the Chair-Elect of ECVAC.
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at October 25, 2011 1:27 PM
