Humanist Celebrant and Chaplain Info Sessions!

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QgKQwSW7FvI

 

Pete Hegseth's War on Military Chaplains (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #615)

— Univ. of Oklahoma punishes instructor for failing Christian student who didn’t do the assignment. (0:55)

— Pete Hegseth is waging a pointless and damaging war on military chaplains. (19:30)

— Mayor criticized for preaching bigotry during secretly recorded speech to high school club. (45:30)

— Texas city blocks Christian pastor’s invocation after his open support for a Pride event. (1:18:40)

— Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders turned a holiday email to state employees into a Christian sermon. (1:32:20)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2025/12/23/pete-hegseths-war-on-military-chaplains/

Gun-toting Pastor Promotes "Violent Action of Faith" (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #605)

— A Christian pastor aimed an AR-15 at the congregation to “run out the unbelief.” (1:57)

— In victory for free speech, UK court overturns Qur’an-burning conviction. (16:31)

— Ohio Republicans used a life-saving Narcan bill to promote more religious indoctrination. (42:38)

— After settlement, Catholic priests in Washington can keep sex predators’ confessions secret. (56:50)

— Anti-LGBTQ Catholic schools lose bid to discriminate in Colorado’s universal preschool program. (1:13:09)

— Florida’s first public school chaplain is a Jan. 6 supporter—and a warning to everyone. (1:26:18)

— Judge shuts down California school district’s attempt to revive Christian prayers at meetings. (1:36:10)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2025/10/16/gun-toting-pastor-promotes-violent-action-of-faith/

The danger of public school chaplains - Ryan Jayne: Freethought Today

And, make no mistake, these NSCA chaplains are 100 percent Christian. The NSCA describes itself as a "Christian chaplain ministry," and its email closes with, "Thank you for helping us reach children, teachers and parents with the love of Christ." The email even quotes a New Testament verse, Matt. 25:40, that is quickly followed by Jesus promising "everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46). NSCA's Statement of Faith, too, includes a belief in "eternal punishment," along with a swipe at same-sex marriage.

So the chaplains spot struggling students and staff, then show up uninvited at their homes to connect them to their Christian church. What advice do these chaplains give to struggling staff or students who are non-Christian, LGBTQ, etc.? Even well-meaning Christian chaplains can alienate and traumatize nonadherents when they offer only a sectarian religious perspective, to say nothing of preachers who have no problem threatening children with everlasting punishment if they fail to convert to the "right" type of Christianity...

Chaplain laws also offer only the barest safeguards against abusive clergy, typically disallowing only chaplains who are on the sex offender registry or who fail a criminal background check. Meanwhile, the laws are uniformly devoid of any requirement that chaplains be certified to provide secular services to students or staff. That is, after all, not really the point of these laws. In Texas, for instance, school counselors must have a qualifying master's degree, pass a test, and have two years of classroom teaching experience. Chaplains typically have no education requirement, no test to pass, and no past experience requirements — just a desire to talk to students about religion. The dire need of students for more qualified school counselors is merely an excuse to introduce chaplains, not a problem chaplains can actually help address (despite laughably implausible claims to the contrary from NSCA).

In short, there are myriad reasons to oppose public school chaplains and no reason for anyone other than Christian nationalists to support them. This makes a recent survey, showing a majority of Americans open to the idea, even more shocking. There is plainly a void in education and awareness that needs to be filled.

https://www.freethoughttoday.com/free/ryan-jayne-the-danger-of-public-school-chaplains/ 

 

An Arizona bill to let chaplains in schools would ban atheists from participating

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFpc0XJ_AqE

Christian Nationalist Rocky Malloy claims not having chaplains in schools “creates mental disease”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHlGKyx1Pks

 

Maine Churches Demand Tax Dollars Despite Bigotry (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #548)

— A discussion about the presidential debate. (1:00)

— After Satanists and Humanists speak up, Florida district rejects school chaplains. (5:38)

— Evangelical writer faces backlash after saying public schools might be worthwhile. (22:19)

— Maine churches continue legal fight to maintain taxpayer-funding bigotry. (49:30)

— Christian school goes back to court after facing consequences for anti-trans bigotry. (58:15)

— Researchers say Christian Nationalism fuels violence against non-Christians. (1:08:55)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/09/12/maine-churches-demand-tax-dollars-despite-bigotry/

Florida Hits Satanic Snag in School Chaplain Law (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #547)

— Mark Robinson‘s hypocrisy about sex shops and abortion should be disqualifying. (2:05)

— Iowa officials tried to block a Satanic event. They hurt homeless veterans instead. (18:25)

— Evangelical broadcasters sue IRS for right to endorse candidates without penalty. (30:18)

— Florida district rejects school chaplains (for now) after Satanists pledge to participate. (47:33)

— Federal judge dismisses Christians’ lawsuit to stop teaching evolution in Indiana schools. (1:03:32)

— The American Humanist Association’s new leader has a unique history with the group. (1:11:20)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/09/05/florida-hits-satanic-snag-in-school-chaplain-law/

Florida district rejects school chaplains after Satanists pledge to participate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6kYCPQwntM

Satanists DERAIL DeSantis Plan To Put Chaplains In Schools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6zZLKBvUKY

Satanists to volunteer in Florida schools in protest at DeSantis religious bill

Greaves said the temple was prepared to take legal action if the state of Florida attempted to block its access to schools. 

"When [DeSantis] stood at the podium and told people they were going to put chaplains in schools, but satanists wouldn't be allowed to, he was straight up lying to the school districts, and opening up them up to a liability that he's not going to cover," he said.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/08/florida-satanic-temple-ron-desantis

Texas lawmaker: I want Christian chaplains in schools to "put God back in government"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bUAFMmqFDI

Rep. Talarico asks questions of Rep. Hefner on the conference committee ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEWPHVE6ww4

Texas approves bill to allow districts to replace counselors with chaplains - The Washington Post

Talarico also proposed requiring parental consent. Hefner and the majority rejected it. Another lawmaker proposed adding that chaplains must serve students of all faiths and not proselytize. Rejected. … 

On Tuesday, Hefner on the House floor responded to Talarico's complaint that people with no educational or professional requirements and training could be afforded access to students in public schools. 

"I trust our school districts to spell out any qualifications they would require," Hefner said...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/05/24/chaplain-texas-commandments-christianity/

Texas bills on school chaplains, 10 Commandments merge church and state - The Washington Post

The bill, which is scheduled Tuesday for the House floor, is one of about a half-dozen religion bills approved this session by the Texas Senate, including one that would allow uncertified chaplains to replace trained, professional counselors in K-12 schools...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2023/05/23/texas-commandments-chaplains-christianity/