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Atheist campaigner takes discrimination case over refusal to consider him for army chaplain
Summary
John Hamill, an atheist campaigner, filed a complaint under the Employment Equality Act alleging that the Department of Defence discriminated against him by refusing to consider him for a military chaplaincy role. He argued that the policy allowing bishops to select chaplains favours Christians and excludes non‑religious candidates. Hamill presented evidence of repeated correspondence with the Minister for Defence, noting a lack of substantive response until July 2020. He highlighted that the Defence Forces' chaplaincy is described as "working on religious foundations" yet claims to respect all faiths. During the remote adjudication hearing, the Department's counsel presented data showing a high proportion of Catholic personnel and challenged Hamill's comparison to prison chaplaincy. Hamill maintained that the role's requirement for a monotheistic belief is unfounded and that the policy constitutes discrimination. The hearing concluded with the adjudicator to decide on the matter.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Atheist campaigner takes discrimination case over refusal to consider him for army chaplain. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 16 November 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2020 Other
- 2022-03-09 Publication
Why: " "This would discriminate against me because I have no religious beliefs," he said. CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
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