U.S. Air Force sergeants will be asked to leave the military if they refuse to take an oath with the phrase "so help me God" in it, U.S. Air Force officials said Tuesday. Although an airman was given the choice of omitting the words earlier in the past, the U.S. Air Force changed its policy in October 2013.
In the latest religious controversy to stir the Air Force, an atheist sergeant, whose name has not been released, was denied a request to enlist on Aug. 25 at Creech Air Force base in Nevada since he omitted "so help me God" when reciting the required oath in a Sept. 2 letter sent to the Air Force's Office of Inspector General, the American Humanist Association said.
Air Force Instruction, which governs the enlistment oath, used to include the rule, "Airmen may omit the words 'so help me God,' if desired for personal reason." But an amendment removed the language effective Oct. 30, 2013, the Air Force Times, an independent news outlet, reports.
Now, with the expiration deadline for re-enlisting fast approaching in November, the issue has forced the technical sergeant to sue the government and take the military to federal court, his lawyer told Agence France-Presse.
"We have not received word from the Air Force regarding our letter. It has not indicated a willingness to settle out of court," said Monica Miller, an attorney for the AMH, which has taken up the service member's case.
However, none of the other American military branches are required to do the same. Instead, they are provided with the choice of making the phrase optional.
"This is the only branch to my knowledge that's actually requiring everyone in all instances to use the religious language," Miller said, adding that the requirement violates the U.S. Constitution, which bars religious tests to hold office or other positions.
"The government cannot compel a nonbeliever to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being," she said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said the sergeant has until November to re-enlist and take the oath, according to AFP, adding that "a written legal opinion is being requested" from the Pentagon's top lawyer.
Over the years, religion and the role of Christian evangelists have played a controversial role in the U.S. Air Force.
"The US Air Force Academy in Colorado faced accusations several years ago that evangelical Christians exerted a dominating influence over the institution," AFP reported. "But attempts to counter the perceived bias in the service have sparked criticism from Christian activist groups, who allege a new rule stifles the religious expression of troops."
Since then, commanders have been ordered to avoid promoting their religious convictions to their subordinates.