The Humanist Society is providing for free wedding services for same-gender military personnel. MAAF and the Society work together closely, with MAAF assisting Society-endorsed lay leaders, celebrants, and chaplains to find recognition within Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs settings. Recently, Captain Ryan Jean officiated a military wedding. And MAAF has reached out to various […]
Update 9/11/2013: Continuing review of endorser policy statements While Southern Baptists did not directly withdraw from chaplaincy, their recent policy letter essentially reads that their chaplains are now prohibited from performing many of their official military duties. The North American Mission Board, the endorsing agency for the Southern Baptist Convention, has issued policy to its chaplains […]
Two brothers, Drs Brian and Craig Wansink have self-funded and directed a study of responses to combat stress in and after military service. The study was published in the independent Journal of Religion and Health. The interim media coverage showed combat vets pray in response to stress. Many outlets friendly to nontheists were quick to […]
The Veterans Administration, in its list of authorized emblems for its headstones, has been a pioneer in recognizing diverse beliefs. They have recently added the Hammer of Thor, named Mjölnir (Crusher), to accommodate the wishes of sincere devotees of pagan (Ásatrúar) beliefs. They also include other pagan symbols, Jewish, Native American, Sikh, atheist, and humanist […]
Today the Supreme Court reinstated equal marriage in California and opened the door to allow federal government agencies to recognize the marriages of military men and women throughout the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. MAAF applauds this decision and will continue to support efforts to reform military culture and practices to ensure equal […]