This episode examines the religious dominance of important national commemorations, such as Anzac Day, and the need for secular reform of such events. The episode features an interview with Army veteran Sam Proctor (1:50), who separated from the Australian Army last year after 10 years of service. Proctor raised the problem as part of his submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Proctor spoke to the podcast in a personal capacity about his submission to the Royal Commission, and his views are his own. Read his submission here.

Christianity dominates Dawn Services in the Defence Force, at the Australian War Memorial, and in the wider public. The Rationalist Society of Australia is lobbying government and other bodies for secular reform on this issue. Read more here.

According to official Defence data, the majority of Australian Defence Force personnel are not religious. Former Army Colonel and Defence statistician Phillip Hoglin has written about the decline of religious affiliation in Defence. Read more here.

In an article published this month in an official Army publication, Hoglin has written on the need for junior soldiers and officers to question some of the Army’s inappropriate and non-contemporary traditions, including those dominated by Christianity. Read more here.

In late 2022, a spokesperson for veterans affairs minister Matt Keogh told the Rationalist Society of Australia that events such as Anzac Day were “welcoming to all” and recognised the diversity of the Defence Force workforce and Australian community. Read more here.

The podcast is hosted by Si Gladman, Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia. To support the work of the Rationalist Society of Australia, become a member or make a donation on our website.

The theme music of The Secular Agenda podcast is called 'Curiosity', and it's by Shimmer.

Secular Agenda

Episodes 20

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