Contrary to popular belief, the oath of office in the Federal Government does not include the phrase "so help me God" at the end. However, George Washington said it anyway after taking the oath, even though he was not required to, and today most who take the oath voluntarily add it. In my opinion this is fine, so long as it is not required. The Constitution would agree with me:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." --First Amendment.
Also, as I have pointed out many times before, contrary to popular belief we were not founded a Christian nation. Our government is forbidden from endorsing any religion, christian or otherwise.
So when I see shit like this on Fox news it really gets under my skin:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,576436,00.htmlRequiring police officers to say "so help me God" is unconstitutional not only on first amendment grounds, but it is also explicitly forbidden in Article VI:
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
Is there any way to justify such a law as being in line with the constitution?