Air Force considers dropping 'God' from oath after group claims it's unlawful

Air Force considers dropping 'God' from oath after group claims it's unlawful

(U.S. Air Force, 1st Lt. John Ross)


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COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. — The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co. is considering dropping a religious phrase from the academy's honor code oath after a religious freedom group called it 'unlawful.'

The move is being pushed forward by The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRRF), a group that strives to protect United States Armed Forces from being compelled to "conform to a particular religion or religious philosophy." The MRFF says that Christianity is given priority in the military and they don't want cadets to have to swear to the Christian God or face retribution.

"To tie the honor code to a religious test violates the no-establishment clause of the Constitution," Mikey Weinstein, founder of the foundation, told The Gazette.com.

"Let me say it again in words of one syllable: It violates — that's three syllables — the law," Weinstein said later while defending his position in a Fox News interview.

The academy has allowed the group to petition against the phrase and is now considering all options, including dropping the entire oath. The honor code currently reads, "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."


We are assessing the situation and have many mission elements, to include Prep School leadership, the Honor Review Committee and other entities on base, working to put together a way ahead that is respectful to all perspectives.

–Air Force Academy statement


The current option gaining most favor is to make the religious reference optional.

"We need to be respectful of all people of faith and all people of no faith," said academy spokesman David Cannon. "Our goal is to do the right thing for the Air Force Academy."

The honor code oath was adopted in 1984 after 19 seniors were caught cheating on tests.

"The cadets who owned the code thought developing an honor oath would help to reinforce the importance of the honor code," Cannon said.

The oath has been making the rounds on the internet after Colorado Springs Independents published a photo of the oath pictured on an Academy poster and sent Weinstein the article. Weinstein immediately contacted the school and they had the poster down within an hour.

Following this email exchange, the academy released a statement saying, "We are assessing the situation and have many mission elements, to include Prep School leadership, the Honor Review Committee and other entities on base, working to put together a way ahead that is respectful to all perspectives."

Weinstein has long been critical of the academy's religious references. Earlier this year, he purchased a billboard near the school protesting a reference to a Jewish website found in a school memo.

While he said he would prefer for the academy to abolish the oath, he said he would settle for the "so help me God" line to become optional.

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Tracie Snowder

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