Air Force stands alone in requiring atheists to say 'so help me God'

[unhappycamper]

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140910/NEWS05/309100068/Air-Force-stands-alone-requiring-atheists-say-help-me-God-



Air Force stands alone in requiring atheists to say 'so help me God'
Sep. 10, 2014 - 09:04PM |

~snip~

The Army and Navy, which are subject to the same statute, have a different interpretation of the requirements, spokesmen for both services said Wednesday. Those services allow soldiers and sailors to choose not to say “so help me God.” The Marine Corps has not yet responded to a request for comment.

[NaturalHigh]

1. It seems to me...

that when I was in the Air Force (got out 18 years ago) people were not required to say "So Help Me God." Maybe I'm mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that was optional.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. You are correct. There was a recent change. nt

[NaturalHigh]

3. Ah, I see.

[SeattleVet]

4. The interpretation of federal law was recently re-interpreted by the Air Force...

When I served in the Air Force (1972-1984) we were given the option. Someone with a bug up their ass recently checked the actual laws that govern enlistment, and here's what the law says:

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10 U.S. Code § 502 - Enlistment oath: who may administer

(a) Enlistment Oath.— Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath:
“I, XXXXXXXXXX, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
(b) Who May Administer.— The oath may be taken before the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary of Defense, any commissioned officer, or any other person designated under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
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While there is an option to either swear or affirm, there is NO legally stated option to not put in the incantation to a deity; that part is 'hard-coded'.

Is it wrong? Absolutely! Should it be changed? Without any doubt in my mind.

However, the prescribed words are currently a part of federal law, and, unfortunately, must be adhered to until the time comes that the law is changed so as to not force people to rely on a sky-pixie to seal their oath.

It's up to Congress to make the necessary change to this section of US Code to stop discrimination against non-religious Americans serving (or attempting to serve) their country. There is no doubt in my mind that even the current SCOTUS would have a hard time justifying this given the 'no religious test' clause in the Constitution.