Canadian Armed Forces First Humanist Chaplain
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Medium (Personal)
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2023/11/17
A little late on the eight-ball here. However, there’s been a positive development in secular history in Canadian society with the introduction of the first humanist chaplain to the Canadian Armed Forces.
On May 18, 2022, Captain Marie-Claire Khadij was appointed the first humanist chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces. That’s a landmark, because, as I recall, I wrote on an atheist chaplain attempting to become an official position in the United States Armes Forces: Jason Heap who is a doctor in theological history.
Heap failed twice in their initiative and sued both times. I do not think the second lawsuit went well or with the original intention either. Now, that is instructive. This can be an educational moment for Canada in how to make secular progress and for the United States in how to get humanist chaplains into the military. If religious ones respecting equality in Canada are allowed, then non-religious chaplains should be allowed too.
The Government of Canada press release stated, “Captain Khadij — currently posted with the Canadian Army’s 2ndCanadian Division at CFB Valcartier, Que. — entered the CAF as a chaplain in 2017, initially representing the Roman Catholic faith tradition. Over time, she found that humanism is more aligned with her values. She views spirituality as a search for meaning in life, which some do through religion while others, like herself, seek meaning through humanist values or secular ethics.”
That’s a fair statement. I’m not precisely surprised, but I am happy. The only basis in a multicultural, multiethnic society with a plurality of faiths is equal representation or equal non-representation.
The Canadian Armed Forces’ Royal Canadian Chaplain Service (RCChS) found the core values and beliefs of Humanism, humanist chaplaincy, consistent with its core tenets. Therefore, Captain Khadij was able to move forward with this development.
For such a pluralistic society and largely non-religious society with matched liberalized religiosity if present, Khadij won’t be enough in the Canadian Armed Forces to do this enough. There is a larger need for the provision of non-religious chaplains.
Khadij in the press release said, “The majority of members come simply to speak with us and get support. Most members know that the religious or spiritual tradition of the chaplain does not change the kind of service they receive. Regardless of the chaplain, each member is welcomed, listened to and supported on their journey. And if they have specific faith questions, they can be referred to a chaplain of that specific tradition.”
Humanist Canada played a major role in getting Captain Khadij into the role. That’s a win for humanists throughout Canada. What does this mean for the likes of Heap, for individuals who want to serve in that role while lacking the support?
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