50 Years of Humanist

Chaplaincy in the Dutch Armed

Forces

Humanism is one of the three main cultural historical traditions that have built the Netherlands

Unique values in Humanism are: self-determination, equivalence

and responsibility

Humanists believe, according to the Dutch Constitution, in the

freedom of religion for our military, veterans and their

families

In the Netherlands we have a separation between

church and state.

All (non)religious

organisations are treated

equally

The ‘Humanistisch Verbond’ is fully acknowledged as the

endorsement organization by the Dutch Government as one of the six denominations that provide

pastoral care in the Armed Forces

The Statistics Administration in the Netherlands calculated that 48,4% of the Dutch population are non theistic

The Dutch Parliament think it is important to facilitate secular

irreligious chaplaincy

Humanists know that no religion has an exclusive right

to give an answer on the questions about the meaning

of life

We respect other religions and we work closely together

We are convinced in the own power of human beings and their resilience

We provide professional chaplains educated at universities, including the

University of Humanistic Studies

We maintain confidentialty and use our own code of professional standards

Humanist Chaplains took part in every deployment, from Lebanon to Afghanistan

We organize the same activities for our military, veterans and their

families as our Christian colleagues

From a humanist perspective we give our own training to military

for example: the art of living, LGBT discussion groups and

Personal Humanism

Humanists have their own traditions and ceremonies. On June 21st we

celebrate World Humanist Day and we provide weddings and funerals

We understand that military at moral dilemmas search for an answer in human conditions and

circumstances and not in a higher power

We support and comfort people with grief and loss by listening,

asking questions, showing empathy and unconditional

commitment

Why Humanist Chaplaincy? Because we care about military, veterans and

their families!

Presentation made by Humanist Chaplain

Commander Erwin A. Kamp MSc