Congratulations to Mikey Weinstein and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation on their recent victory, published today at Time based on this official press release from the Air Force Academy last week. The original cadet honor code at my alma mater read as follows, “We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does.” In 1984, presumably in honor of George Orwell, the following was appended on to the code, “Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and to live honorably, so help me God.”
After some consideration, Air Force Academy officials have announced that they will be making that last part optional so as to accommodate the religious diversity of the Cadet Wing. Here is the key passage:
“Here at the Academy, we work to build a culture of dignity and respect, and that respect includes the ability of our cadets, Airmen and civilian Airmen to freely practice and exercise their religious preference — or not.” said Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson. “So in the spirit of respect, cadets may or may not choose to finish the Honor Oath with ‘So help me God.'”
“At the Air Force Academy, we produce lieutenants for our Air Force and leaders for our nation, so our focus here continues to be on developing leaders of character,” Johnson said. “This all begins by living honorably. The Honor Code and Honor Oath reinforce this fundamental value.”
There irony here is that for atheist and agnostic cadets to have to say “So help me God” aloud from 1984 until today is a sort of forced betrayal of personal integrity in and of itself, a little lie to just get by, a dishonor to one’s own sense of honor. Surely Christian cadets would realize how serious this is if only they were forced to chant about their dependence upon some god other than the God of the Bible, e.g. “So help me Ahura Mazda.” To try to really put themselves in other people’s shoes like that is a rare exercise; however, one reserved for those few who truly take the Golden Rule to heart.
ETA: Chris Rodda has some excellent background information on this issue.
