The United States Air Force cannot prohibit an atheist from reenlisting simply because he refused to say the part of the enlistment oath that includes the words “so help me God,” Americans United for Separation of Church and State says. In a letter sent today to the Pentagon, Americans United writes that denying an airman the opportunity to reenlist over his refusal to take a religious oath violates the U.S. Constitution in two ways: It goes against the First Amendment, which prohibits government establishment of religion and restrictions on the free exercise of religion, and violates Article VI, which bars religious tests. “The Constitution does not establish religious belief as a requirement for serving in the U.S. military,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “But the Air Force apparently decided that if you don’t believe in God, you can’t serve your country.”
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 19:26:17 +0000
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