Link: Air Force changes policy regarding enlistment oath

[Catfish]

Air Force members once again have the option of omitting the phrase “so help me God” from their enlistment and appointment oaths. The service joins the other three military branches in making the phrase optional for its service members, a practice it had followed until last year when a legal review determined there could be no omissions of the phrase....

The issue had arisen in August when an unidentified airman at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada was denied re-enlistment after he refused to take a re-enlistment oath that ends with the phrase “so help me God.” The airman, who is an atheist, was told by superiors that, according to Air Force regulations, he must include the phrase so his re-enlistment could be processed.

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/0...ow-airmen-to-omit-so-help-me-god--107271.html

Talk amongst yourselves.

 

[PacadermaTideUs]

Re: Air Force changes policy reguarding enlistment oath

One's acceptance to government service should not be contingent upon his or her religious convictions, or lack thereof.

 

[CoachJeff]

Re: Air Force changes policy reguarding enlistment oath

Atheists make good cannon fodder too.

 

[dvldog]

Re: Air Force changes policy reguarding enlistment oath

What is this air force you speak of?

 

[Bama Reb]

Re: Air Force changes policy reguarding enlistment oath

What is this air force you speak of?

It's like the navy. They're helpers for the Army and Marines.

One's acceptance to government service should not be contingent upon his or her religious convictions, or lack thereof.

Exactly. The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion. That applies also to someone who doesn't have one.
Now if those who don't believe had the common courtesy to allow those of us who do believe to worship as we please, things would be just fine.

 

[Tidewater]

Re: Air Force changes policy reguarding enlistment oath

Washington added the words to his own oath voluntarily.
But Washington was a god, so, now, they must be added.

The USAF now has gotten this right, again (finally). If you want to add the words, fine. If not, fine.

SEC. 16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

That good ole slippery slope! Why didn't he have a problem
saying it the first time? And why such a big fuss now?

 

[Catfish]

That good ole slippery slope! Why didn't he have a problem
saying it the first time? And why such a big fuss now?

Maybe he didn't say it the first time either. The article says:

The service joins the other three military branches in making the phrase optional for its service members, a practice it had followed until last year when a legal review determined there could be no omissions of the phrase.

It sounds like it wasn't required when he first took the oath. Or, maybe his beliefs changed between the two oaths.

 

[chanson78]

My question is that since he didn't swear to God, how do we know that he isn't part of ISIS?

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

Maybe he didn't say it the first time either. The article says:



It sounds like it wasn't required when he first took the oath. Or, maybe his beliefs changed between the two oaths.

Got ya!