What Is An Atheist Chaplain?

Groups representing atheists and secular humanists are pushing for the appointment of one of their own to become a Military Chaplain.  They are hoping to give voice to what they say is a large, and largely underground, population of nonbelievers in the military.  Joining the chaplain corps is part of a broader campaign by atheists to win official acceptance in the military.

Defense Department statistics show that about 9,400 of the nation’s 1.4 million active-duty military personnel identify themselves as atheists or agnostics.

Jason Torpy, a former Army captain who is president of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, said humanist chaplains would do everything religious chaplains do, including counsel troops and help them follow their faiths. But just as a Protestant chaplain would not preside over a Catholic service, a humanist might not lead a religious ceremony, though he might help organize it.

“Humanism fills the same role for atheists that Christianity does for Christians and Judaism does for Jews,” Mr. Torpy said in an interview. “It answers questions of ultimate concern; it directs our values.”

At the same time, an atheist group at Fort Bragg called Military Atheists and Secular Humanists, or MASH, has asked the Army to appoint an atheist lay leader at the base. A new MASH chapter at Fort Campbell, Ky., is planning to do the same as are atheists at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

Such lay leaders can lead “services” in lieu of chaplains and have access to meeting rooms, including chapels.

What is the definition of “Chaplain”?

1.  A clergyman attached to a chapel.

2.  A clergyman or layman who conducts religious services for a legislative assembly or other organization.

3.  A clergyman attached to a military unit.

How can an atheists be chaplains?  By the definition of both they can't. 

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