Atheist chaplains?

Military chaplains could be atheists if discrimination complaint upheld

Quote:

The requirement for military chaplains to belong to a recognised religious denomination is discriminatory, according to a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission brought by a humanist chaplain. The commission has accepted a complaint from Justin Murray, a volunteer chaplain at Canberra hospital, meaning it will now investigate and conciliate the case which could open the way for atheists and agnostics to hold posts as military chaplains. Australian army chaplains are required to be “from an endorsed denomination or faith group” represented in army personnel. The only categories currently recognised by the army are Anglicans, Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans, the Uniting church, various other christian groups and the Council of Australian Jewry. Murray – who is not religious – has lodged a complaint with the AHRC on the basis he is not eligible to apply and has therefore been discriminated against on the grounds of his religious belief. On 17 July the AHRC wrote to Murray confirming it has accepted his complaint and promising to deal with it “as soon as possible” using its powers to assess, investigate and conciliate disputes. Murray’s complaint argued that 53% of Australian Defence Force personnel are not religious, meaning there was “no provision” of pastoral services for “the majority of ADF personnel”.

I confess to be a little confused as to why atheist personnel require chaplains (rather than counsellors) in the first place. But it's good that the discriminatory aspect of the role is being looked at.

via International Skeptics Forum https://ift.tt/2AC9wFf