Nonbelievers Seek Appointment of A Military Chaplain

The New York Times reports this morning on efforts by atheist and secular humanist groups to obtain appointment of an atheist or humanist military chaplain. This is part of a broader campaign for nonbelievers to obtain recognition in the military,  Appointment of a chaplain would help assure that all chaplains would advocate for nonbelievers with commanders, and that literature would be distributed and events advertised. A spokesman for the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers says a humanist chaplain would counsel troops and help them follow their faiths, just as other chaplains do. Meanwhile groups at some bases are at least moving to seek appointment of a lay atheist leader. 9,400 military members formally identify themselves as atheists or agnostics.