Written by Don Byrd
The American Humanist Association reports an airman was denied re-entry to the Air Force for refusing to sign the portion of the oath reading “so help me God.” Religion News Service has more:
“The Supreme Court has held on a number of occasions that it is unconstitutional to force anyone to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being,” said Monica Miller, an attorney for AHA . . . . “Numerous federal courts have specifically held that forcing an atheist to swear to God violates the Free Exercise Clause as well as the Establishment Clause.”
But a spokeswoman for the Air Force told the Air Force Times the oath cannot be changed without an act of Congress.
“Reciting ‘So help me God’ in the re-enlistment and commissioning oaths is a statutory requirement,” Air Force spokeswoman Rose Richeson said.
The AHA sent a letter to the Air Force demanding a secular oath accommodation, and has indicated a willingness to challenge the decision in court if necessary.
Stay tuned…
