Comment from the UK Armed Forces Humanist Association (UKAFHA)
Next time someone asks you why it’s important to belong to a humanist organisation, you might like to tell them about Michael Lyons, who was a medic in the Royal Navy until recently. Following revelations made by WikiLeaks, he developed moral objections to the Afghanistan conflict prior to deployment. After refusing rifle training he was placed on a charge, found guilty of wilful disobedience, sentenced to seven months’ detention, reduced to the rank of able seaman, and dismissed – after serving his detention – from the service.
At the time of the incident, Michael appealed on the basis that he was a conscientious objector, and objected on moral grounds. As a result, he was ordered to see a Christian chaplain – even though he was known to be an atheist. It is therefore ironic, that the chaplain at length decided that Michael’s reservation was not a moral – but a political objection … Hence the heavy punishment.
His wife has argued that if Michael’s grounds for objection were because of his Christian philosophy, he might well have been placed on non-combat duties … But it seems that similar philosophical objections from an atheist are not acceptable. Michael Lyons was not a member of UKAFHA. If he was, he might have received more support, and the outcome might have been different. If you are a service person, a service veteran, or a family member, please do look up the UKAFHA website and consider joining … It’s free to all BHA members.