The Center for Atheist Research is apparently conducting a study on spirituality in the military in response to the US Army’s (criticized) Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program.

The study is being used to research “the validity” of the CSF “spiritual fitness” attributes, and it appears to do so in some part by using the same questions that appeared in the military’s asssessment.

The design of the test is interesting.  For example, some atheists complained about the military’s agree/disagree question about “My life has lasting meaning,” and the survey repeats that question.  Later, it asks a variety of related questions which seem to be trying to determine (in a less direct way) if the person really does feel their life has “lasting meaning,” seemingly trying to determine if they have a bias against the wording of the question influencing their (truthful) answer.

While some military atheists have decried the military’s use of the term “spiritual,” the survey itself acknowledges the varying use of the word.

Some people use the terms “spirituality” and “spiritual” in a broad, NON-supernatural sense. They see those terms as just having to do with: a special or intense experience, an appreciation for existence, meaning in life, peacefulness, harmony, the quest for well-being, or emotional connection with people, humanity, nature, or the universe. In this way, an atheist could technically describe her or himself as being “spiritual” or as having had a “spiritual experience.”

While it is open to anyone who is a “member or veteran of the US military,” it appears to have been announced only in atheist venues.

Want to participate?  Link here:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/militaryspiritualfitness