Defence Humanists
The Defence Humanists, formerly known as The UK Armed Forces Humanist Association (UKAFHA), is a British organisation that represents the rights of humanists and the non-religious servicemen and women, their families, veterans, and civilian members of the Ministry of Defence. Religion has enjoyed a privileged position in the UK military with attendance of certain religious services being mandatory. Defence Humanists aims to prove that there are indeed 'atheists in foxholes' and distributes material to help the non-religious register as such in official military records. Membership of the organisation doubled during 2011.[1] In 2012 it was reported that over 26,000 serving members of the British armed forces described themselves as 'having no religion' making it the largest category after Christianity and significantly larger than the total number of all other major religious affiliations which is in the region of 3,000.[2]
Figures from April 2020[3] indicate that almost 32% of serving members of the Armed Forces described themselves as having ‘no religion’. This is the largest group after Christianity, which has seen continuous decline since records began. The non-religious number is more than nine times all the non-Christian religions combined at 3%, including Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and Buddhists.
British philosopher and author, Professor A. C. Grayling is a Patron of the Defence Humanists and has talked upon the subject of Humanism in relation to defence[4].
The MOD diversity and inclusion policy is now recognising and revealing the contribution of non-religious personnel to the armed forces.[5]
Multiple national military organisations recognise Humanism as a valid life stance.[6][7][8]. The Dutch military have recognised Humanist Chaplains since 1964 and have a very extensive training programme[9]
Until 2018 Humanists were not allowed to attend the National commemoration of remembrance at the Cenotaph in London despite polling, conducted by YouGov in 2014, suggesting that 70 percent of the public believe such organisations should be present. Thanks to the diversity and inclusion policy of the MOD that view has now changed.[10]. Prior to that change Defence Humanists were holding their own ceremonies[11]
References[edit]
- ↑ BHA News, p5, Issue 1, 2012.
- ↑ BHA News, p1, Issue 5, 2012.
- ↑ "UK armed forces biannual diversity statistics: 1 April 2020".
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfIFIvAssgs A.C. Grayling talk: Can a humanist make sense of war?
- ↑ "The humanist factor - Civil Service".
- ↑ "Yes, There Are Humanists in the Military and Here's What They're Fighting for". 22 July 2014.
- ↑ https://militaryatheists.org/
- ↑ "Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers". 29 March 2013.
- ↑ "Humanist Counseling in the Dutch Armed Forces".
- ↑ "After long campaign, Humanists UK invited to participate in Remembrance at the Cenotaph".
- ↑ https://www.themilitarytimes.co.uk/uncategorised/defence-humanists-hold-second-annual-remembrance-ceremony-to-mark-those-who-gave-their-lives-in-military-service/
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