Nontheistic service members serve honorably throughout the world -- always have; always will. However, nontheists are the last unprotected minority. The nontheistic, whether an atheist, humanist, agnostic, freethinker, or other secular minority, have a strong community. MAAF provides geographically dispersed service members with information, resources, and contacts. MAAF provides information about nontheistic services members to other organizations as well as the media.
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A new dimension of character and leadership development has made strong advances in the military in the last few years - "Spirituality." The Army's new Global Assessment Test is part of Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, a $50 million program focused on five dimensions - physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and family. Those who score low on the assessment are referred to counseling by the test results. The Ft Hood Spiritual Fitness Center is a cutting-edge facility that explains, "Physical (Body), Mental (Mind), and Spiritual (Soul)," with its focus being on "spiritual needs." This term "Spirituality" calls immediately to mind supernatural "spirits" and religious piety. On the surface, there is concern that the military is officially endorsing and even requiring a supernatural or traditional religious viewpoint.
MAAF would hope that by "spirituality," the military might mean something like character, resilience, or steadfastness. This hope is encouraged by much of the documentation and purposes of the same "spirituality" programs. It makes perfect sense that the military would want to encourage and develop a soldier's ability to hold strongly to values in the face of the stresses of combat, and to build values that sustain soldiers. Knowing the right thing is not the same thing as doing the right thing. Service members benefit from a strong foundation of personal values upon which to build the values of the profession of arms. The stresses of combat take a greater toll if service members don't have some internal peace and personal understanding to make sense of the world. A connection to a supportive community of like-minded individuals enhances the benefits above. These secular benefits do make sense, but they are different than prayer, energy, or other things generally associated with "spirituality."
MAAF provides a conduit to help nontheistic service members to build character and values. Our partner organizations in atheism and secular humanism have real, positive values. Just as this new dimension of "spirituality" encourages Christians to go to church, it should encourage nontheists to participate in their communities. This cannot work if nontheist communities and ideas are excluded from the outset. Nontheists cannot be included if chaplains and other leaders are uneducated or hostile to nontheism. Through chaplain outreach, MAAF book list, and other areas, MAAF provides the thought leadership to ensure all of the military team has support. As you can see below, several issues have arisen with the "spirituality" training. MAAF has reached out in many cases, and hopes the military will reach out to us to ensure the nontheist perspective is represented prior to the publication of new doctrine and training.
There are no "Gods" in foxholes!
