For the past two years I have presented a didactic on this question to Clinical Pastoral Education residents at one of the ACPE accredited centers in Dallas, Texas. As a chaplain endorsed by The Humanist Society, I am a provider of spiritual and existential care to people regardless of their ideological, religious, or philosophical perspectives.
What follows are my current answers to the five survey questions posed in the article: C. M. Schuhmann, J. Wojtkowiak, R. van Lierop & F. Pitstra (2020) Humanist chaplaincy according to Northwestern European humanist chaplains: towards a framework for understanding chaplaincy in secular societies, Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, DOI: 10.1080/08854726.2020.1723190, in which the authors observe, “we need a broader understanding of chaplaincy that is not (necessarily) characterized by religion.” (Id., p. 2.)
- How would you describe the mission of humanist chaplains?
The mission of humanist chaplains is to provide human-centered spiritual and existential care (according to established standards for professional competence); meeting people where they are; and holding space for them to explore meaning and purpose in relation to their own sense of the transcendent. Simply being accepted and loved as one is, with all that is happening, can produce profound healing effects within a person. Such sacred encounters between human beings allow new discoveries to be made, affirming care seekers in all their beautiful and mysterious humanity. Humanist chaplaincy results in greater “existential resilience” for care seekers in the face of life’s changes and difficulties. (Id., p. 4 citing Van Praag.)
- What does ‘humanist’ in humanist chaplaincy mean to you?
“Humanist” means human-centered with the goal of enhancing human flourishing in relationship with oneself, other people, and the universe. The humanist chaplain’s attention is on whatever is happening in and with the human being in front of them in the present moment. Many forces are at play in the care seeker (e.g., religious, ideological, cultural, medical, familial, economic, psychological, and social). The humanist chaplain uses deep listening and naming skills to bear witness to the experiences and story of this particular complex human being; to companion them in the present moment; and to facilitate the care seeker’s own life-affirming sense-making in relationship with all these forces.
- What kind of challenges do you meet with as a humanist chaplain or in promoting humanist chaplaincy?
Misunderstanding. Human beings are far more complex than the labels we attach to ourselves and to each other. Many people tend to think “humanist = atheist” and may subscribe to the myth that “atheist = bad person”. Many humanists are atheists. I am a humanist, and am not atheist. I am more interested in what is possible in the space of unknowing as I practice living with uncertainty around ultimate questions and companioning others in the same process. Humanists have faith in the goodness of humanity and in our interpersonal potential as an interconnected species. (Id., p. 12.) More advocacy is needed for positive humanist philosophy and values, especially in the southern US. (A great starting point for education is The Ten Commitments: Living Humanist Values.)
- What motivates you to work as a humanist chaplain or to promote humanist chaplaincy?
I love people. We are endlessly fascinating, frustrating, and fabulous beings. We are remarkably similar in how we experience wounds and what we do with them as a result. Across all imaginable diversities, every person wants to experience happiness and avoid suffering for themselves and their loved ones. Simultaneously, we each have our own one-millionth part* in our unique expressions of life and of love. The tension between our beautiful similarity and mysterious uniqueness has captivated my attention and motivates my work every day as a humanist chaplain supporting people in hospice care as well as their grieving loved ones.
- What do you consider to be sources of inspiration in your work as a humanist chaplain/as a promoter of humanist chaplaincy?
My greatest sources of inspiration as a humanist chaplain are people–diverse human beings and their life stories, their courageous expressions of love, and their endurance of suffering to which I bear witness with compassion.
(* The phrase, “one-millionth part” is from The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera.)
Love One Person