Swear to God—or Leave the U.S. Air Force
In a new, unexplained shift, the Air Force is compelling its troops to use the phrase “so help me God” in their oaths—or leave the military. Dave Majundar reports on the case of an atheist airman who isn’t being allowed to reenlist because he won’t use the phrase “so help me God” in his oath.
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The association wrote a letter dated Sept. 2, 2014, on behalf of the airman demanding that he be allowed to reenlist without invoking the religious language. Further, the letter threatens legal action against the airman’s commanders at Creech Air Force Base in the Nevada desert unless they reverse course. The complaint was previously reported by the Air Force Times.
“Because the law in this area is well established, those commanders may be sued in their individual capacities and be personally liable for damages,” Monica Miller, an attorney with the American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center, wrote in the letter.
“The government cannot compel a nonbeliever to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being,” Miller added.
more:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/08/u-s-air-force-swear-to-god-or-get-out.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=cheatsheet_afternoon&cid=newsletter%3Bemail%3Bcheatsheet_afternoon&utm_term=Cheat%20Sheet
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