The Canadian Armed Forces has issued new rules that expand restrictions on faith-specific language and practices during official military ceremonies and public events, including references to God.
The new directive, released on July 29, applies to all Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, Department of National Defence (DND) employees, contractors, and volunteers engaged in offering “spiritual or religious services” for the CAF, expanding application of previous instructions that only specified chaplains. The new directive also offers further specific details on what the prohibition entails.
Under the latest directive, chaplains and any others taking part in official military ceremonies or commemorative events where prayers or religious observances would traditionally be offered must instead deliver a “spiritual reflection.” It defines “spiritual reflection” as reflecting on “lessons learned, beliefs, values, and experiences to inspire gratitude, remembrance, hope, and integrity.”…