We’ll Leave the Light on For ‘Ya, But

The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers claimed victory against the Air Force in its quest to free the US military of policies that it purports promote religion. This time, the atheists’ group was upset over the fact that guest rooms in Air Force lodgings have a Bible, something the group contends represents “a special privilege for Christianity.” The Gideons provide these Bibles. The atheists’ group said it successfully pressed the Air Force to remove the requirement for a Bible from its lodging accreditation checklist. Michael Dickerson, Air Force Services Agency spokesman, confirmed to the Daily Report that, upon a legal review, the agency concluded “there is no requirement” to have a Bible included in the lodging checklist. A revised checklist will take effect in Fiscal 2013, he said. However, “the Air Force has not directed the removal of Bibles from Air Force Inns’ lodging rooms at this time,” said Dickerson. “We continue to review the situation and weigh our multiple First Amendment responsibilities and obligations.” The atheists’ group responds to what it claims are “insensitive practices that illegally promote religion over non-religion within the military or unethically discriminate against minority religions or differing beliefs.” Thank God for that.