WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jason D. Heap, M.Div, Ed.D, an Oxford University-educated instructor in history and theology, and The Humanist Society, a religious non-profit organization, have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the United States Navy's rejection of Dr. Heap's application to serve as the first-ever Humanist chaplain in the United States military. Mr. Heap and The Humanist Society are represented by Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC.
The lawsuit, filed on Nov. 5 in United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, also seeks to require the Navy and U.S. Department of Defense to recognize The Humanist Society as a religious organization qualified to endorse military chaplains. Both plaintiffs allege that the Navy and Department of Defense rejected their applications because, as Humanists, they do not believe in a god or gods.
"The plaintiffs in this lawsuit adhere to a system of moral and ethical views with the strength and sincerity of traditionally recognized religious beliefs. The Complaint alleges that Humanism to them is legally equivalent to belief in a god or gods in other religious traditions, and that federal law and the Constitution prohibit the Navy from excluding Humanists from the chaplaincy," said plaintiff's counsel Matthew A. Smith, of Cohen Milstein. He is joined by co-counsel Joshua Devore, R. Joseph Barton, and Times Wang, all of Cohen Milstein.
Dr. Heap practiced in ministry and charitable work for more than 20 years before applying to become a chaplain in the United States Navy. His career began with service as a licensed minister at Baptist churches in central Texas and spanned work at international schools where he counseled and taught students from widely varied religious traditions. As Dr. Heap gained exposure to different traditions and pursued graduate studies at Texas Christian University and University of Oxford, he identified with Humanism's emphasis on the goodness of human nature and human welfare as a moral imperative. Desiring to continue his work in ministry as a Humanist, Dr. Heap sought and received the endorsement of The Humanist Society as a Humanist Celebrant.
Dr. Heap consulted with recruiters for the Navy chaplaincy in early 2013 about becoming a chaplain. Navy recruiters initially encouraged him to apply and offered to expedite his application. However, all encouragement abruptly ceased after the Navy learned that Dr. Heap is a Humanist after receiving The Humanist Society's endorsement. The Navy denied Dr. Heap's application in May 2014. The Complaint alleges that the Navy accepted other applicants who were not Humanists and who were less qualified for the position according to the Navy's recruitment criteria.
Navy policy requires the Navy Chaplain Corps to give special consideration to candidates endorsed by religious organizations that are not currently represented in the Chaplains Corps but that are represented among service members.
"Although more than three percent of the U.S. military identifies as Humanist according to a survey conducted by the Department of Defense, as a result of the Navy's decision to deny Dr. Heap's application, there continue to be no Humanist chaplains in the Navy or in any branch of the military," said Smith. "These men and women in uniform deserve a chaplain who shares their beliefs just as much as members of any other religious group who wish to serve our country."
For more information about the lawsuit, Heap and The Humanist Society v. Hagel et al, or for a copy of the complaint visit, http://www.cohenmilstein.com/cases/364/heap-and-the-humanist-society-v-hagel-et-al.
Founded in 1969, Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC is a national leader in plaintiff class action lawsuits and litigation. As one of the premier firms in the country handling major complex cases, Cohen Milstein, with 80 attorneys, has offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Denver, Colo. For more information, visit http://www.cohenmilstein.com or call (202) 408-4600.