Humanist Canada pushes back on CAF spiritual reflection criticism

Humanist Canada President Martin Frith is responding to criticism of the Canadian Armed Forces’ new policy on spiritual reflections at official military events. The group says the policy supports state neutrality and religious freedom while reflecting a more diverse CAF.

Why it matters: - Humanist Canada says the Canadian Armed Forces’ new spiritual reflections policy affects how the military handles religion at official events where attendance is expected or required. - The group argues the policy matters for both religious and non-religious CAF members, especially as the force becomes less religiously uniform. - The response frames the issue as a test of whether state neutrality can protect freedom of conscience without privileging belief.

What happened: - Humanist Canada President and ICCMC Representative for Humanism Martin Frith issued a response to an Aug. 10 statement by Bishop Scott McCaig, the Military Ordinary of Canada. - The response criticizes claims about CAFMPI 03/26, the Canadian Armed Forces policy on spiritual reflections in military settings. - Frith rejected the suggestion that requiring inclusive spiritual reflections at official CAF functions amounts to atheism or a “closed secular” approach. - Frith said state neutrality does not mean the state denies God’s existence. - Frith pointed to the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2015 decision in Mouvement laïque québécois v. Saguenay (City).

The details: - The CAF policy does not ban prayer, worship, sacramental ministry, pastoral care or religious observance within the Canadian Armed Forces. - The policy addresses official government-business events, including military ceremonies and commemorations, where CAF members are expected or required to attend. - Frith said CAF members must remain free to practise their religions and receive religious and spiritual care. - Frith argued the state’s role changes when the Canadian Armed Forces speaks institutionally and requires attendance. - The Department of National Defence’s 2021 Review of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service found that 39% of surveyed CAF members reported no religious affiliation. - The same review concluded that the chaplaincy did not reflect the diversity of the population it served. - Humanist Canada said the policy discussion involved about three years of consultation with representatives of spiritual and faith traditions in the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy and others. - Frith said consultation does not require consensus. - Frith said recommendations not adopted were still heard and considered. - Humanist Canada said CAF chaplains continue to serve members according to their respective Spiritual/Faith Traditions. - The organization said religious Canadians must retain freedom of religion, while humanist, atheist, agnostic and other non-religious Canadians must retain freedom of conscience and belief. - Humanist Canada describes itself as a national charitable organization that advances humanism and supports Canadians who want ethical and meaningful lives without reliance on supernatural belief. - The organization says it advocates for freedom of conscience, secular government, human rights and equal treatment of religious and non-religious Canadians. - Humanist Canada linked readers to the full statement and its social channels on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The response is not just about wording in a policy document. It is about who gets centered in military ceremonies: explicitly religious language, inclusive language or a mix of both. - Humanist Canada is using the Supreme Court’s neutrality framework to argue that accommodation of non-religious members is compatible with protecting religious practice. - The consultation dispute suggests a broader fight over process as well as substance, with Humanist Canada saying dialogue happened even if critics disagree with the outcome.

What's next: - Humanist Canada is standing by the policy and its view that religious and non-religious freedoms can be protected together. - The debate over CAF spiritual reflections is likely to continue as military leaders, chaplains and faith representatives adjust to the new rules for official events. - The practical test will be how the Canadian Armed Forces applies the policy at ceremonies and commemorative events where attendance is expected or mandatory.

The bottom line: - Humanist Canada says the CAF can be neutral without being anti-religious, and that official military events should reflect the beliefs of the full force, not only its faith traditions.