The Air Force Academy is considering dropping the phrase “so help me God” from its oath after atheist Mikey Weinstein and his Military Religious Freedom Foundation filed a complaint.
The Academy’s oath is: “We will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God.”
In a meeting with American Family Association at the Pentagon last month, an Air Force spokesman said Weinstein has no influence and that it doesn’t even return his calls.
Ironically, this week, Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson responded to Weinstein within 68 minutes of his email to the Academy. She told Weinstein she immediately had a poster that contained the oath removed from a prep school wall removed (at his request) and that the Academy would consider removing “so help me God” from its oath.
The Academy’s Honor Review Committee met this week to review the oath at Weinstein’s demands, Public Affairs Director Maj. Brus Vidal said in an interview with The Air Force Times.
At present, the phrase “so help me God” remains as part of the oath. Vidal told the Air Force Times they could: 1) make no change 2) make the God part optional or 3) strike the entire oath.
Click here to join the American Family Association in urging Air Force Academy Commandant Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Lengyel to preserve religious liberty by defending the oath and recommending the Academy keep the current language intact.
