Atheist Seeks End to Hill Chaplaincies (Michael Newdow at it again)

Washington Post ^ | August 30, 2002 | Jim VandeHei

[Catspaw]

The California atheist who sued to remove "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance now wants to kick the House and Senate chaplains out of Congress.

Michael A. Newdow, a lawyer and emergency room doctor, this week filed suit in federal district court in Washington contending that it is unconstitutional for taxpayer-funded chaplains to pray in Congress and minister to lawmakers. He wants the court to prohibit the House and Senate from employing spiritual chaplains, who are paid by Congress to lead prayers, counsel members and perform other religious tasks. Chaplains make as much as $147,000 per year.

[Catspaw]

He's at it again.

[Bikers4Bush]

This guy is gonna wind up catching a bullet.

[camle]

"a lawyer and an emergency room doctor"


wassamaddahim? ain't good enough to make a living at either job? or is he simply a jerk?

[Thane_Banquo]

I'm sure his next move would be to remove chaplaincies from the U.S. military.

[Judith Anne]

Newdow=Loser, Liar.

[chambley1]

What about the military Chaplain Corps? Are they next? It would not surprise me. The national offices of the VFW, AMVets and other veteran groups better get ready for this nut.

[goldstategop]

The U.S Supreme Court declared chaplains constitutional in 1984. What with the times being what they are they just might have second thoughts and ban chaplains altogether. You just never know.

[dighton]

Newdow, who says he "absolutely denies the existence of any Supreme Being," claims he applied for the jobs of House and Senate chaplains, and was passed over.

[Judith Anne]

I would hate like hell to ever be treated in the ER by a doc was also a lawyer. Can you imagine the number of forms you'd have to sign, indemnifying him against a lawsuit, before he'd even order you up an aspirin?

Give me an ER doc who cares about helping people more than suing over the Pledge ANY time.

[vin-one]

Again this idiot is misinterpeting the constitution.
Instead of separation of Church and State,
He thinks it means separation from Church and State,
big difference when you look at meanings.

[goldstategop]

Uh huh. An Atheist Chaplain. I wonder what he would have us pray to? Bill Clinton???

[kjenerette]

For later reading...(this guy need to move to some other place, like Europe)

[Judith Anne]

There is nothing in the constitution about separation of church and state. Instead, the constitution says that there shall be no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

[andy_card]

Not that this is entirely relevent to the case, but what do congressional chaplains do exactly that merits $147,000 / year?

[andy_card]

Instead, the constitution says that there shall be no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

If I recall correctly, there's also an establishment clause in there somewhere.

[Tench_Coxe]

Like many miguided folks, typically in the liberal camp, the guy has a martyr complex.

he sorta reminds me of those street preachers that would come onto college campuses and attempt to convert students by claim they were all going to hell.

[Bikers4Bush]

I'd hate to be treated by an ER doc that was an atheist. If you don't beleive in anything the patient would just be a slab of meat waiting to be harvested for organs.

[Khepera]

Jealous? If they provide guidance and comfort then thats enough.

[jjm2111]

He probably bought "certifications" from unsolicited emails.