“…One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
These are words known and memorized by every American citizen, whether they like it or not. From kindergarten on, we instill two radically different ideas into children. There’s this little thing called separation of church and state, but also “in God we trust.” And that’s a problem.
Last month, an atheist sergeant in the U.S. Air Force encountered this problem when he was denied reenlistment simply because he refused to utter the phrase “so help me God” in his oath. After causing controversy, the American Humanist Association represented the anonymous airman and told the Air Force that it had until Sept. 19 to change the oath, or it would be sued.
With all other branches of the military deeming “so help me God” as an optional addition to their oaths, the Air Force was pressured to abide by those standards as well and eventually changed it.
As I grew older, I started to have more and more problems with the Pledge of Allegiance and other official oaths that required you to address God. When I was younger, I was mostly just concerned with correctly pronouncing “indivisible” and whether or not I was the loudest person pledging to the flag. Now, however, I realize what a mockery these God-pledging oaths are.
In response to the Air Force controversy, Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association posted an opinion column entitled, “No atheist should be permitted to serve in the U.S. military.” Great title, terrible opinion.
Obviously agreeing with the Air Force’s initial decision to refuse the sergeant’s reenlistment, Fischer argues that, “Serving in the military is a privilege, not a constitutional right. And it should be reserved for those who have America’s values engraved on their hearts.”
As a country founded on separating religion from government, America is and should be considered a religion-free, God-free nation. Unless there is a god of white supremacist capitalist patriarchy, America does not have a god to serve.
Not only is the notion that we are a country “under God” wrong, it is downright hypocritical.
For decades, Americans have shrieked at the thought of the countries in the Middle East declaring themselves Islamic states and using religious texts as guidelines to regulate its citizens. Meanwhile, phrases praising and implying a nationwide worship to God are emblazoned on our money and government buildings.
If we saw footage of Iranian schoolchildren reciting their own pledges to their country and Allah, everyone over at Fox News would have a collective heart attack.
What surprises me most about this story, though, is the airman could have easily just signed the oath with the “so help me God” clause, but he didn’t. Standing up for your beliefs — and constitutional rights — is honorable, and it’s what’s eventually going to make it harder for the government to sneak God into things.
If you’re a religious American, that’s totally fine. Include God in your oaths and pledges all you want — just stay out of my way in Free Speech Plaza.
But if you’re an atheist, don’t back down. Don’t allow the government to shove God in your life when you don’t want it there and constantly ask, “What’s God got to do with it?”
SidneyRose Reynen is a 19-year-old film and media arts and art history sophomore from New Orleans, Louisiana. You can reach her on Twitter @sidneyrose_TDR.