The Air Force will now allow "so help me God" to be omitted from oaths. Thoughts?

2014-09-17T20:15:47-04:00

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/497535/af-to-change-instructions-for-oaths.aspx

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 17 at 2014 8:18 PM

2014-09-17T20:18:49-04:00

Good for them. Cast your down votes here!!!!!.......lol

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2014 8:34 PM

2014-09-17T20:34:09-04:00

As far as i can remember, when i enlisted into the Marine Corps in 2006, the oath of enlistement gave the option in the beginning to say whether to solemnly swear or affirm and at the very end, you have the option to say "so help me God" or not. It was clearly advised before the process to swear in that it was an option. So there really is no case nor difference.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2014 11:53 PM

2014-09-17T23:53:50-04:00

I think you could hear that pop all around the U.S. when they pulled their head out.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 1:34 AM

2014-09-18T01:34:33-04:00

I can't...do this again. Expended too many brain cells on a similar thread, Sir.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 2:25 PM

2014-09-18T14:25:11-04:00

This shouldn't have been as polarizing or inflammatory as it was during discussion on here. We are all military professionals and should treat each other that way. Having a clause to allow a person to abstain from swearing to a higher power makes sense and really, those words were (and are still if you are so inclined) the least import words of the entire oath!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 11:22 AM

2014-12-12T11:22:22-05:00

Good.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 7:42 AM

2015-04-16T07:42:35-04:00

Of course, then you get some with more rank than sense trying to assert that none of us are intelligent enough to be able to determine that requiring it is unconstitutional and we should just wait for others in 'authority' to determine that.... and then throwing a temper tantrum worthy of a five year old when called out on it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 1:21 PM

2015-04-16T13:21:04-04:00

Some service members are not religious. Some service members who are religious do not believe that swearing in the name of their God is appropriate. Freedom to exercise or not to exercise religion is a right all service members fight to protect and a freedom all should enjoy.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 3:10 PM

2021-07-20T15:10:41-04:00

It has always been a choice.

Response by Sgt Christopher Briere made Jul 30 at 2021 11:12 AM

2021-07-30T11:12:35-04:00

When there's a war people tend to call out to "A God" ; that God give a pretense to "a higher authority" so with reasoning in mind, I would NOT remove it due to the psychological implications......

Of course, I have a motto
" Every step, whether forward or back, is a step toward A God"