Air Force to atheist Sgt.: "Recite 'So help me god' or get out" (user search)
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  Air Force to atheist Sgt.: "Recite 'So help me god' or get out" (search mode)
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Author Topic: Air Force to atheist Sgt.: "Recite 'So help me god' or get out"  (Read 2118 times)
Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck
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« on: September 10, 2014, 01:39:23 PM »

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/09/us_air_force_tells_sergeant_to_recite_so_help_me_god_or_leave_the_military.html

I hope this poor guy doesn't receive any blacklash after any court that knows anything about Const. Law declares what the Air Force is doing is unconstitutional.  

The comments on Facebook are as vicious towards this guy and atheists in general as you would expect.
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Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck
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« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2014, 08:57:01 PM »

Why doesn't he simply cross his fingers (metaphorically). I mean, he's an atheist, so its not as if he's upsetting another God by swearing on this particular God (and even then, I'm sure 'other Gods' would take finger crossings as good too). In fact, the only people whom he's upsetting (who have the power to hurt him) are his superiors, who appear to want him to recite the 'so help me God' oath. This all begs the question; why not sign? If God is a nonsense, then it does not matter one way or t'other him reciting this oath, as, if God does not exist, that part of the oath is meaningless anyway. So why not just save himself a load of hassle and recite the bloody oath!? Unless, of course, he's angling for a support fund to be set up for him...

Yea, we atheists don't care or believe in anything beyond ourselves, anyway.  What's the harm? 
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Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck
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« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2014, 07:16:39 PM »

it's certainly not "the worst of any branch of the US armed services by far".

Out of curiosity, which one would that be in your opinion?

Probably the Army and their "spiritual fitness test".

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/13/132904866/armys-spiritual-fitness-test-angers-some-soldiers

http://www.spiritfit.army.mil/
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Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck
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« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2014, 09:40:10 AM »

If you're an atheist (as am I), saying "so help me God" isn't really any different than saying "hocus-pocus, if I am false let bad juju fall on my head."

I mean, it's just words. If you're treating religious references like they have mystical power... haven't you gone full circle back to being religious again?

It's about respect for the individual and respect for individualism as an idea.  People need to be allowed to be themselves when it comes to things that are central to who they are.  How do you not get this?
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Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck
HockeyDude
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« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2014, 06:25:45 PM »

http://www.stripes.com/news/air-force-drops-so-help-me-god-requirement-will-allow-airman-to-re-enlist-1.303637

Well, the AF backed down and this great American will be allowed to continue his service without invoking any gods that he does not believe in.

Glorious news!
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