Abstract:

Over recent years, the UK's military and Christianity have witnessed a dramatic decline in some town’s the only military presence via affiliated cadet units. The shared challenge of recruiting participants in both realms prompts an exploration of the benefits derived from promoting muscular Christian values that reinforce militarism, nationalism and depict service as the masculine ideal.

This conceptual paper employs Bourdieu's 'theory of habitus’ and Lukes' 'third dimension of power theory' to delve into the strategies employed by Christian influencers and the military in shaping the disposition and habitus of military personnel and adolescents, the latter within military-sponsored civilian youth organizations. The subtle use of preference-shaping influences by Church of England (CofE) chaplains is examined, highlighting their role in legitimizing and promoting Christian religiosity as an ingrained, and taken for granted, enculturation process. This, in turn, advances a Christian Missiological agenda of cultural assimilationism that favours British nationalism over multiculturalism and secularism.

We explore the historic significance of habitus and disposition within Christian doctrine, tracing a medieval path through Aristotelian and Augustinian traditions, the theological triad and the trinity. The paper unveils how habitus is employed in current chaplaincy practices that facilitate the proselytization of faith, often disguised as altruistic endeavours. Importantly, these activities extend beyond the military, entering public spaces unnoticed within conventional organizations, allowing unchecked Christian privilege. This calls for increased critical awareness among HRM/HRD academics and practitioners regarding the roles and agendas chaplains drive within organizations.

Please choose your submission type: Full Paper

Primary Track: Critical Management Studies

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Prof Jeff Gold