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Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing...
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Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2021) | Viewed by 17554

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Gaby Jacobs

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Humanist Chaplaincy Studies for a Plural Society, University of Humanistic Studies, 3512 Utrecht, The Netherlands
Interests: meaning in life; spiritual care; healthcare; participation and empowerment; diversity; values and professionalization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will focus on humanist and other forms of secular spiritual care, the key concepts that underlie the work and the way these emerge in practice. Authors are invited to submit research papers, discussion papers, and review papers concerning humanist/secular spiritual care across any setting (e.g., the army, healthcare, police force) and population (e.g., older persons, refugees, detained people) but related to the question of what “humanist” or “secular” means and what “spiritual care” might be in an increasingly secular and plural society. This Special Issue aims to raise awareness and increase the knowledge of humanist/secular spiritual care practices in contemporary society, both in traditional and emerging contexts.

Spiritual care is traditionally rooted in a religious or worldview framework that enhances personal processes of giving meaning to life experiences and provides a frame of reference for the spiritual carer as well. In recent decades, spiritual care has changed due to two paradoxical processes in society: secularization and pluralization. This has resulted in an increase in unaffiliated or generic spiritual care and in training in interfaith spiritual care.

Questions have been raised, such as: What are the leading concepts for humanist, secular or generic spiritual care in this age? What are the—changing—spiritual needs in contemporary society and for specific groups? How do humanist or secular spiritual carers cater to these needs? What are the main characteristics of humanist spiritual care and how are these distinctive from other kinds of secular spiritual care, if so? Or should we abandon those distinctions, aiming at one large and generic profession of spiritual care?

This Special Issue entitled “Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts” invites papers from both academics and spiritual carers, working in different settings, that discuss the main concepts of humanist/secular spiritual care and give insight into its practices in all their diversity. It may include the following topics:

  • Concepts related to humanist/secular spiritual care, e.g., autonomy, resilience, horizontal transcendence, connectedness, dignity, recognition, and resonance;
  • Changing settings and populations;
  • The development of new humanist/secular spiritual care practices or approaches in traditional settings;
  • The implementation of existing humanist/secular interventions or approaches in new settings or with new groups;
  • The design of effective models of humanist/secular spiritual care;
  • Educational programs addressing humanist/secular spiritual care;
  • Professional ethics and/or ethical dilemmas in humanist/secular spiritual care;
  • The political aim of humanist spiritual care to promote humanization in organizations and society, and its relationship with the spiritual focus.

Prof. Dr. Gaby Jacobs
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • humanism
  • spiritual care
  • secularization
  • methods
  • societal changes

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
Natality and Relational Transcendence in Humanist Chaplaincy
by Joanna Wojtkowiak and Carmen Schuhmann
Religions 2022, 13(4), 271; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13040271 - 22 Mar 2022
Viewed by 2273
Abstract
Every life has a beginning and an end. Natality and mortality are both profound existential fundaments of life that may lead us to question meaning in life as well as to find meaning. In spiritual care, the focus is often on mortality as [...] Read more.
Every life has a beginning and an end. Natality and mortality are both profound existential fundaments of life that may lead us to question meaning in life as well as to find meaning. In spiritual care, the focus is often on mortality as a source of existential suffering, and on ways to deal with such suffering according to worldview traditions. In humanist traditions, mortality is not only seen as an existential threat but also as an existential given that people need to embrace to find meaning in life. Natality has received much less attention, both in spiritual care and in humanist thought. In this article, we build on philosophical ideas of Arendt and Butler to explore the significance of natality for a humanist perspective on meaning in life and spiritual care. We argue that taking natality into account results in a relational understanding of humanist spiritual care in which the notion of “relational transcendence” is a central element. Natality also means that we can initiate, create, and act in the world, which highlights the political dimension of humanist spiritual care. We reflect on the implications of natality and relational transcendence for humanist spirituality and chaplaincy and formulate some concrete building blocks for working from this perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts)
12 pages, 259 KiB  
Article
Mea Culpa: A Qualitative Interview Study on the Role of Guilt and Forgiveness with Non-Religious and Multireligious Inmates
by Mickey van Herpen and Renske Kruizinga
Religions 2022, 13(2), 145; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13020145 - 05 Feb 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2520
Abstract
Within monotheistic religions, guilt and forgiveness have long been important themes. In The Netherlands, however, the influence of traditional religions is declining. This qualitative interview study explored how non-religious and multireligious inmates experience guilt and forgiveness, and how the humanistic chaplain could address [...] Read more.
Within monotheistic religions, guilt and forgiveness have long been important themes. In The Netherlands, however, the influence of traditional religions is declining. This qualitative interview study explored how non-religious and multireligious inmates experience guilt and forgiveness, and how the humanistic chaplain could address these issues within counselling. Guilt and forgiveness are complex constructs that are individually and subjectively experienced. Most inmates experience personal guilt and regret for what they have done. Some inmates cope with these feelings in a repressive way, where others have an active coping style. Both multireligious and non-religious inmates have a need for interpersonal forgiveness, especially from close relatives. In addition, multireligious inmates also have a transcendent need for forgiveness from a personal god. The humanistic chaplain may help inmates with an active reflection on guilt and forgiveness, which can contribute to a development on an existential level. Guilt and forgiveness ought to be approached from a counselling perspective and attention should be paid to the multiple meanings of personal responsibility. An active and critical reflection on guilt and forgiveness may lead to new meanings of the (criminal) past and create a positive change in the behaviour of detainees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts)
14 pages, 249 KiB  
Article
Meaningful Conversations: Reciprocity in Power Dynamics between Humanist Chaplains and Patients in Dutch Hospitals
by Karin Anneke de Lange and Gaby Jacobs
Religions 2022, 13(2), 109; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13020109 - 23 Jan 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1910
Abstract
There is a reluctance within humanist chaplaincy to critically reflect on power dynamics during conversations. This reluctance stems from the idea that every person is capable of finding meaning in equal contacts and that chaplains do not have aims or direct the conversation. [...] Read more.
There is a reluctance within humanist chaplaincy to critically reflect on power dynamics during conversations. This reluctance stems from the idea that every person is capable of finding meaning in equal contacts and that chaplains do not have aims or direct the conversation. A study was conducted to gain insight into power dynamics in conversations between chaplains and patients, and how these power dynamics influence the co-creation of meaning. Power in a conversation is dynamic because of changing positions of power between conversation partners and depends on their initiative and response in a conversation. Based on feminist relational theories, power is conceptualized as both dominating and transformative, and within transformative power a distinction is made between agential and receptive forms of power. A secondary analysis was performed on qualitative interview data of six humanist chaplains. Dominating strategies taken from the Initiative-Response theory and verbal responses from chaplaincy literature have been used to map the power dynamics between chaplain and client. The results showed that both chaplain and patient use dominating strategies, and that transformative power is necessary to foster the co-creation of meaning. This transformative power can take both agential forms, such as direct leading by questions and focusing, and receptive forms, e.g., listening and affirming. The receptive forms were still the dominant strategies used by chaplains, but the results made clear that agential forms have taken ground within humanist chaplaincy, although some strategies may need to be developed further in training, such as focusing and self-disclosure by the chaplain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts)
13 pages, 623 KiB  
Article
An Empirical Study on the Nature of the Verbal Responses of Humanist Chaplains
by Jeroen de Vos and Arjan W. Braam
Religions 2021, 12(12), 1080; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel12121080 - 07 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2106
Abstract
There has been a limited amount of empirical research conducted in the past on how chaplains, and humanist chaplains in particular, actually interact with their clients during conversations as a part of spiritual care and counselling. The aim of the current study was [...] Read more.
There has been a limited amount of empirical research conducted in the past on how chaplains, and humanist chaplains in particular, actually interact with their clients during conversations as a part of spiritual care and counselling. The aim of the current study was to gain insight into the extent to which the verbal responses of humanist chaplains corresponded to Rogers’ nondirective approach during conversations with clients. Rogers’ approach has been commonly embraced since the beginning of the professionalization of humanist chaplains in the Netherlands. The study focused on humanist chaplains working at a general hospital in the Netherlands. Ten humanist chaplains took part in the study by audio recording their conversations with clients. The audio recordings were transcribed and analysed, and the verbal responses of humanist chaplains were compared to Rogers’ approach. Subsequently, the verbal responses were analysed via conversation analysis, which also provided insight into how the humanist chaplains actually conversed with clients. Most of the verbal responses (73%) were consistent with Rogers’ nondirective approach, though the ways in which some of the verbal responses were expressed were different; they were more compassionate and comforting. The remaining 27% of the verbal responses were directive and did not correspond to Rogers’ approach. The study shows that, compared to Rogers’ nondirective approach, the approach of the humanist chaplains was more direct and comforting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts)
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11 pages, 1235 KiB  
Article
The Development of Non-Religious Pastoral Support in the UK
by David Savage
Religions 2021, 12(10), 812; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel12100812 - 27 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2466
Abstract
In UK society today, over half of the adult population identify as ‘non-religious’. Of those, about three quarters describe themselves as very or extremely non-religious. The ‘non-religious’ can be seen not merely as those without religion but as people with seriously and sincerely [...] Read more.
In UK society today, over half of the adult population identify as ‘non-religious’. Of those, about three quarters describe themselves as very or extremely non-religious. The ‘non-religious’ can be seen not merely as those without religion but as people with seriously and sincerely held non-religious beliefs. Responding to this situation, Humanists UK set up the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network to meet the need for non-religious pastoral care. In healthcare and prisons, they have trained hundreds of volunteers to offer an active listening service based on a humanistic Carl Rogers approach, conduct ceremonies, improve education, and provide advocacy, all grounded in non-religious worldviews. Those completing an appropriate Master’s degree have been successfully recruited by the National Health Service into paid professional roles. However, the Prison Service and Armed Forces still restrict such recruitment to people with religious beliefs. Further progress will be enhanced by using more respectful and inclusive language (rather than ‘nones’ and ‘chaplaincy’), promoting equality in recruitment, and adopting a person-centred approach where service users determine their pastoral and spiritual care priorities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts)
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12 pages, 241 KiB  
Article
Humanist Chaplains Entering Traditionally Faith-Based NHS Chaplaincy Teams
by Lindsay Jane van Dijk
Religions 2021, 12(9), 744; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel12090744 - 10 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2290
Abstract
Healthcare chaplaincy in the National Health Service (NHS) has rapidly changed in the last few years. Research shows a decline of people belonging to traditional faith frameworks, and the non-religious patient demographic in the NHS has increased swiftly. This requires a different approach [...] Read more.
Healthcare chaplaincy in the National Health Service (NHS) has rapidly changed in the last few years. Research shows a decline of people belonging to traditional faith frameworks, and the non-religious patient demographic in the NHS has increased swiftly. This requires a different approach to healthcare chaplaincy. Where chaplaincy has originally been a Christian profession, this has expanded to a multi-faith context. Over the last five years, humanists with non-religious beliefs have entered the profession for the first time, creating multi-faith and belief teams. As this is a very new development, this article will focus on literature about humanists entering traditionally faith-based NHS chaplaincy teams within the last five years in England. This article addresses the question “what are the developments resulting from the inclusion of humanist chaplains in healthcare chaplaincy?” Topics arising from the literature are an acknowledgement of a changing healthcare chaplaincy field, worries about changing current practices and chaplaincy funding, the use of (Christian) language excluding non-religious people and challenging assumptions about those who identify as non-religious. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts)
9 pages, 223 KiB  
Article
“If Only I Could Start All over…” A Case Study of Spiritual Care Provision to a Patient with a Psychiatric Disorder Requesting Physician-Assisted Dying in The Netherlands
by Carmen Schuhmann, Marianne C. Snijdewind, Lisa van Duijvenbooden and Geert E. Smid
Religions 2021, 12(9), 672; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel12090672 - 24 Aug 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2516
Abstract
In a growing number of countries, legislation permits physicians—under strict conditions—to grant a request for physician-assisted dying (PAD). Legally allowing for the possibility of granting such a request is in accordance with central humanistic values such as respect for autonomy and self-determination. The [...] Read more.
In a growing number of countries, legislation permits physicians—under strict conditions—to grant a request for physician-assisted dying (PAD). Legally allowing for the possibility of granting such a request is in accordance with central humanistic values such as respect for autonomy and self-determination. The Netherlands is one of few countries where severe suffering from a psychiatric illness qualifies as a ground for a request for PAD. Central in this article is a case description of spiritual care provision in the Netherlands by a humanist healthcare chaplain to a patient requesting PAD because of psychiatric suffering. We discuss what we may learn from the case description about how spiritual caregivers may support patients who express a wish to die, and about their contribution to the care for patients with a psychiatric disorder who request PAD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Humanist and Secular Spiritual Care: Concepts and Practices in Changing Contexts)
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