Atheist Files Lawsuit Against Navy Over Humanist Chaplain Rejection

An atheist who was reportedly denied from becoming a humanist chaplain in the U.S. Navy has filed a lawsuit against the country's military, arguing that his constitutional rights have been violated.

Jason Heap filed an application back in 2013 to serve as a humanist chaplain for the U.S. Navy, but his application was denied because humanism is not recognized as an official religion in the chaplain program. Heaps argues in his recent lawsuit, backed by the Humanist Society, that there are atheist members of the military who need a spiritual counselor, just like the ones religious members are allowed to receive.

"As a result of the Navy's decision to deny Dr. Heap's application, there are no Humanist chaplains in the U.S. Navy or in any branch of the armed services," the lawsuit reads, according to Stars and Stripes. "The absence of even a single Humanist chaplain impairs the religious exercise of Humanists in the Navy."

"Dr. Heap's qualifications and experience far exceed the standards articulated by the Navy for accepting applicants," the lawsuit, which was filed this week in Alexandria, Virginia, adds. "The Navy denied his application because of his Humanist beliefs."

Several politicians in D.C. have decried the notion of humanist chaplains, saying the purpose of a chaplain is to offer religious guidance, and because humanists don't believe in a higher power, their guidance would not fall into the criteria for a military chaplain. Heaps argues in his lawsuit, however, that humanists believe in the goodness of mankind, and therefore he would be able to guide fellow soldiers using that method of theology.