After the group American Humanist Association threatened to sue the Air Force on behalf of an atheist Airman, the Air Force immediately removed the requirement to say ‘So Help Me God’ from their enlistment oath.
The Airman was denied re-enlistment after crossing the phrase off the oath on Aug. 25th, prompting the suit.
“We take any instance in which Airmen report concerns regarding religious freedom seriously,” said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, Air Force Times reported Wednesday. The change in policy goes into effect immediately.
“We are pleased that the U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed our client has a First Amendment right to omit the reference to a supreme being in his reenlistment oath,” Monica Miller, an attorney with the AHA’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center, said in a statement Wednesday, Air Force Times reported. “We hope the Air Force will respect the constitutional rights of Atheists in the future.”
The Army, Navy and Marine Corps all give enlistees the option to say “so help me God.”
unamerican
What’s unamerican is thinking he has to say something he don’t believe in. That’s why America was founded so he could have that freedom. People who don’t believe in God arnt unamerican or bad people they just don’t have the same faith you do.. G*****n, I have to take notifications off on this, it really just pisses me off how stupid some people can be.
What’s insane is taking that phrase out of an oath
That is awesome!!!!!
I thought the Air Force had more guts than that!
Since when does the minority rule. This is bull$#%&!@* if its true.
put it back in the Hell with the atheist he need to be put out
Yes screw the constitution the only people with religious freedom should be people who believe in the Christ myths.
What cowards !!! And their suppose to protect us ? So easy to just cave and surrender.
ATHEISTS. MULIMS AND the like all get to have their way!!!! NO PORK!! NO SO HELP ME GOD! How many Jews ask restaurants to forbid pork? NEVER! They have more respect than to do that!!!! Don’t want to say something – DON’T say it – but let the others say it. This country has become a “back-down” country and bends over backwards for the IDIOTS!!