First of Its Kind: Tufts University Hires Humanist Chaplain for Atheist Students

Daily Signal ^ | 9/25/2014 | Gabriella Morrongiello

[markomalley]

Five years ago, a group of atheist and agnostic students launched a campaign to hire a nonreligious chaplain at Tufts University. With the recent addition of a university-funded “humanist in residence,’ it appears their prayers—or lack thereof—have finally been answered.

The new position is believed to be the first-ever university-funded campus chaplain catering to atheist, agnostic and nonreligious students, according to Religion News Service.

In early September, Walker Bristol, a former intern of Harvard’s Humanist Community, was hired as the first humanist chaplain at the private, Massachusetts-based university. Bristol previously served as a student leader of Tufts’ Freethought Society, a group of roughly 150 secular students behind the initial campaign for a nonreligious campus chaplain.

According to the American Humanist Association, “Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism and other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.”

Since its inception in 1941, the AHA has formed close relationships with a variety of progressive coalitions, such as the Center on Conscience and War and United for Marriage. Most recently, the AHA launched a national campaign encouraging people to “sit out the Pledge of Allegiance until the phrase ‘under God’ is removed from it.”

During an interview with Religion News Service, the Rev. Greg McGonigle, university chaplain, praised Tufts’ decision, saying the “importance, urgency, and complexity of religious-secular divides, discrimination, and differences” was the driving force behind his support for the humanist hire.

“[W]e believe having humanist leadership and involvement in our work is crucial to our efforts supporting students, educating the campus, and seeking to make an impact on the world,” McGonigle told Religion News Service.

Tufts University did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment on whether student fees or tuition dollars help fund the university’s nonreligious chaplain.

[maddog55]

The Church of Non-Believers, Humanist Pastor presiding.

Basically forming their on religion. I'm offended and there needs to be separation of humanist & state. Time to turn the tides.

[skr]

Humanism is a religion with self replacing God.

[txrefugee]

Another college to avoid.

[Smokin' Joe]

You’re on to something—they can no longer be the preferred religion of the State without violating the First Amendment.

[SkyPilot]

Since the mid 19th century, godless left has dragged the West from away Jude-Christianity, and plunged it into paganism, Satanism, humanism, and every other "ism" that is nothing but pure Evil.

The left wishes to take of the "chains" of society, meaning the Law of God, the constraints of decency and morality, and any condemnation of sin.

I recently watched a documentary on Alister Crowley, who many in the "humanist" community worship.

They see this man's legacy as one of attacking Christianity, and today's "Do What Thou Wilt" mantra (which Crowley received from a demon while possessed) is the sword by which they force our courts and our governments to embrace every type of evil: abortion, homosexuality, incest, rape, and murder.

Far from being some benign character that Jimmy Page, Ozzie Osborne, and others could write songs about, Crowley was the real thing: a black magician who openly raised demons through incantations, and then participated in animal sacrifice, human sacrifice, bestiality, drug addiction, homosexuality, and every other type of wickedness.

He was so bad that even Mussolini could not stomach him, and had him deported from Italy for committing sacrifices and child sex in his new "abbey" for his "religion" there.

Today, the West is going down the same path to Hell that Crowley (and Satan) espoused.

Ephesians 6:10-17

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

[samtheman]

I pledge allegiance to the flag...
...one nation, under Gore, with recycling and carbon credits* for all...

*carbon credits subject to availability, prices may vary in your area

[icwhatudo]

“the Rev. Greg McGonigle, university chaplain, praised Tufts’ decision”

Useful idiot.

[icwhatudo]

"Reverend" Greg thinks this is PHABULOUS!

Reverend Greg McGonigle

taught courses on interfaith leadership and religions, genders and sexualities

served as a minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, and the Boston Living Center—a community resource center for people with HIV/AIDS.

[ImNotLying]

An atheist doesn’t need a chaplain. They just live life on Earth to their fullest as they see fit, fulfilling their every desire because when they die there is nowhere for them to go. No heaven, no hell, just dust to dust. But I think my God may have other plans for them.

[icwhatudo]

More from “reverend” Greg:

“We wanted to think about how September 11th created a discourse about patriotism in a post-9/11 period; how does it impact issues of race, religion and gender and sexual orientation?”

[TalBlack]

Ah so it is a religion! I’d love to hear this chaplain’s condoling to a grieving or despondent student. It must be a marvel of sheer emptiness.

[fungoking]

Ah so it is a religion! I’d love to hear this chaplain’s condoling to a grieving or despondent student. It must be a marvel of sheer emptiness.
_-——————

“The Dr told me I have cancer.....”

“You’re screwed.”

[defconw]

If he looks like a tool and talks like a tool and walks like a tool he must be a tool.

[circlecity]

"According to the American Humanist Association, “Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism and other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.”

Where would an atheist ever find a objective definition of "ethical lives"?

[TalBlack]

“The Dr told me I have cancer.....”

“You’re screwed.”...”Look, man, is it cool if I ask out Karen”?

[LadyDoc]

Ethics is not the same as religion...indeed, in the ancient world religion had little to do with ethics. Ditto in China, where Confucius refused to link his ethics on religion.

Catholics insist God's law is written on your heart, and therefore often use natural law arguments and logic to argue what is right or wrong, especially when they discuss such things in the public square.

So yes, atheists can be ethical. Many are.

The main problem is that some people become atheists because they reject the church and any idea of right or wrong

[IrishBrigade]

I’d love to hear this chaplain’s condoling to a grieving or despondent student.

...he’d probably tell the student to read Emerson’s ‘Self Reliance’...all the while collecting a salary, of course...

[IronJack]

I can just hear the counseling sessions:

“So you’re all stressed about grades and your future and the futility of it all? Don’t worry. You’re really just a walking dead man anyway and nothing you do matters in the end. So yeah, go to the kegger instead of cramming for that biology final. Who cares if you lose your scholarship?”

[IrishBrigade]

So yeah, go to the kegger instead of cramming for that biology final.

...I used to tell myself that, without going to the trouble of having to seek out ‘professional’ guidance...