Humanist Chaplains Worldwide
Humanist Chaplains and secular counselors serve throughout the world. The United States also includes chaplains who are humanist but who decline to be listed publicly. The US military has limited acknowledgement of humanism and the nontheistic perspective through its chaplaincy services. MAAF provides that support as well as it can until the Department of Defense chooses to follow the positive example set by the military chaplaincies below.
The UK also has no military humanist chaplains, but has organizations similar to MAAF including Defence Humanists (a civilian organization) and the Humanist and Non-religious in Defence (HAND, an official government group).
Below are listed individual representatives of 61 humanist chaplains and secular counselors in 5 countries.
Special thanks to Humanist Canada for compiling the original list.
Colonel Erwin Kamp, Humanist Chaplain, Netherlands Armed Forces (NLD), also serving as the Chief Chaplain of the Netherlands Department of Veterans Affairs
Humanist Chaplains are a significant and integral part of the Dutch military and have been since 1964. Humanist Chaplains represent 39 of 156 total Dutch chaplains. They wear the 1946 version of the Dutch Humanist Association Logo, a star and flower representing finding meaning between the sky and the earth.
Major General Hans De Ceuster, Moral Counsellor, Belgium Armed Forces (BAF)
Humanist Chaplains are 8 of 23 total chaplains, serving since 1999, and wearing the flaming torch, alongside several happy humans, which was adopted in 1972 by the Secular Belgium Organization.
Commander Ida Helene Henriksen, Humanist Chaplain, Norwegian Armed Forces (NORAF)
Humanist Chaplains are 2 out of 50 total chaplains, serving since 2017, and wearing the Happy Human, international symbol of humanism.
MSWO Trent Bowen, Maritime Spiritual Wellbeing Officer, Australian Defense Force (ADF)
MSWOs are 11 out of 326 total chaplains, serving since 2021, and wearing the compass rose, a navy symbol representing direction and purpose. MSWOs are employed in a secular capacity, regardless of their personal beliefs.
Captain Marie-Claire Khadij, Humanist Chaplain, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
Chaplain Khadij is the sole humanist among 395 total chaplains, serving since 2022, wearing the Happy Human, international symbol of humanism.
View or Download pdf version below – courtesy of Humanist Canada, with additional details and commentary