Celebrity atheist Michael Newdow had apparently been out of the spotlight far too long so he recently filed a lawsuit to have “In God We Trust” removed from coins. He believes the phrase violates the rights of atheists and he uses logic that is so tortured it is painful. Mr. Newdow is a physician with some training as a lawyer. I am hoping his skills as a doctor are better than his logic as an attorney. If the following is a sample of his closing argument skills then God…uhh…somebody help his clients. A bit of background is in order. Newdow is a minister ordained by the Universal Life Church. The ULC offers free ordination to anyone and includes (no kidding) the Reverend Courtney Love and the Reverend Tony Danza among it’s ordainees (their church conventions must be interesting). It seems that the Rev.Newdow started a church that wishes to raise money for it’s cause by selling pens for a buck. But here comes Newdow’s agonizing dilemma.
“I’m a minister of the First Amendmist Church of True Science and I can’t raise funds or anything else because all the coins say that we believe in God, and that’s completely against our principles,” Newdow said.
Rev. Newdow takes only cash and and he must (as a matter of principle) refuse to take any currency that says “God” on it. So, the Reverend/Doctor reasons, his religious rights are being violated because all U.S. coins have the words “in God we trust” on them. Since Newdow doesn’t trust in God he can’t take the money for his church. Can’t you feel his pain?
Newdow explained how he was inspired to challenge the offending inscription.
“One day I was just looking at the coins (that) is what brought this up. I saw ‘In God We Trust’ on my coins. I said, ‘I don’t trust in God,’ what is this? And I recalled there was something in the Constitution that said you’re not allowed to do that and so I did some research. And as soon as I did the research, I realized the law seemed to be on my side and I filed the suit. It’s a cool thing to do. Everyone should try it.”
Well Mr. Newdow it often seems like everybody is trying “it” (a lawsuit) for every real and perceived offense.
Further exploring of Newdow’s website revealed he is also a song writer and singer. He has a CD of his eleven best church-separation hits available on his site (seriously). They are written and performed by Newdow himself and one of them (I am not making this up) is a rap. The idea of a 52 year old white lawyer rapping must surely violate some constitutional right of mine.
“One day I was listening to a CD and I heard this middle-aged guy rapping and I said what is this? So I did some research on noise pollution and the law seemed to be on my side and I filed the suit. It’s a cool thing to do.” Whether I have a case or not…Newdow’s hip hop lyrics are worth a look…
It’s clear that it cannot be constitutional behavior
For government to claim that Jesus Christ is some big saviour
But that’s what we were told, and you know we were told it twice
For Muslims, Jews and Atheists, you know that isn’t nice
But we all will pay the price. It is really quite concise.
A slice of vice that does suffice. An imprecise way to entice.
You know that it’s illegal from a governmental perch
If you need your religion get your booty into church
I can’t justify giving the guy any money to buy this CD but I am dying to hear this performed. I do have a couple of questions for my main man who could adopt the hip hop name “No God on my 50 Cent”.
First…where does the government claim that Jesus Christ is some big savior on a coin or pledge or building or anywhere else? The reference is always to God which would seem to not give you street cred with the Muslims and Jews.
Second…how does a man with multiple degrees think that he can use the word “booty” in a song?
A couple of serious thoughts on Michael Newdow and the this whole movement to remove all vestiges of “religion” from the public square.
As Christians we need to be very careful to not let emotion rule. I see posts calling Newdow names and saying really ugly things about him. We need to follow the example of Paul who engaged those who opposed the faith with well reasoned and thoughtful discussions.
The longer Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, the angrier he got–all those idols! The city was a junkyard of idols.
He discussed it with the Jews and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the Epicurean and Stoic intellectuals pretty well through these conversations. Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: “What an airhead!” But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: “That’s a new slant on the gods. Tell us more.” Acts 17 The Message
Research the issue. Have a point. Make your point with grace. Demonstrate the hope that lives within you.
Next, there is an inherent by product of living in a nation with free speech. That by product is that we will all be offended to some degree by others. You can’t have the right not to be offended and free speech Those two ideals are mutually exclusive.
I don’t have a huge emotional stake in this debate about “In God We Trust” on our coins. I would prefer that the inscription stay on our currency. But my real preference would be that those of us who claim to be followers of Christ would truly live a life that demonstrates trust in God. For that Michael Newdow has no legal recourse.
“Confessions of a Bad Christian” – What do I say to Michael Newdow when he sneezes?
Dave BurchettCelebrity atheist Michael Newdow had apparently been out of the spotlight far too long so he recently filed a lawsuit to have “In God We Trust” removed from coins. He believes the phrase violates the rights of atheists and he uses logic that is so tortured it is painful. Mr. Newdow is a physician with some training as a lawyer. I am hoping his skills as a doctor are better than his logic as an attorney. If the following is a sample of his closing argument skills then God…uhh…somebody help his clients. A bit of background is in order. Newdow is a minister ordained by the Universal Life Church. The ULC offers free ordination to anyone and includes (no kidding) the Reverend Courtney Love and the Reverend Tony Danza among it’s ordainees (their church conventions must be interesting). It seems that the Rev.Newdow started a church that wishes to raise money for it’s cause by selling pens for a buck. But here comes Newdow’s agonizing dilemma.
“I’m a minister of the First Amendmist Church of True Science and I can’t raise funds or anything else because all the coins say that we believe in God, and that’s completely against our principles,” Newdow said.
Rev. Newdow takes only cash and and he must (as a matter of principle) refuse to take any currency that says “God” on it. So, the Reverend/Doctor reasons, his religious rights are being violated because all U.S. coins have the words “in God we trust” on them. Since Newdow doesn’t trust in God he can’t take the money for his church. Can’t you feel his pain?
Newdow explained how he was inspired to challenge the offending inscription.
“One day I was just looking at the coins (that) is what brought this up. I saw ‘In God We Trust’ on my coins. I said, ‘I don’t trust in God,’ what is this? And I recalled there was something in the Constitution that said you’re not allowed to do that and so I did some research. And as soon as I did the research, I realized the law seemed to be on my side and I filed the suit. It’s a cool thing to do. Everyone should try it.”
Well Mr. Newdow it often seems like everybody is trying “it” (a lawsuit) for every real and perceived offense.
Further exploring of Newdow’s website revealed he is also a song writer and singer. He has a CD of his eleven best church-separation hits available on his site (seriously). They are written and performed by Newdow himself and one of them (I am not making this up) is a rap. The idea of a 52 year old white lawyer rapping must surely violate some constitutional right of mine.
“One day I was listening to a CD and I heard this middle-aged guy rapping and I said what is this? So I did some research on noise pollution and the law seemed to be on my side and I filed the suit. It’s a cool thing to do.” Whether I have a case or not…Newdow’s hip hop lyrics are worth a look…
It’s clear that it cannot be constitutional behavior
For government to claim that Jesus Christ is some big saviour
But that’s what we were told, and you know we were told it twice
For Muslims, Jews and Atheists, you know that isn’t nice
But we all will pay the price. It is really quite concise.
A slice of vice that does suffice. An imprecise way to entice.
You know that it’s illegal from a governmental perch
If you need your religion get your booty into church
I can’t justify giving the guy any money to buy this CD but I am dying to hear this performed. I do have a couple of questions for my main man who could adopt the hip hop name “No God on my 50 Cent”.
First…where does the government claim that Jesus Christ is some big savior on a coin or pledge or building or anywhere else? The reference is always to God which would seem to not give you street cred with the Muslims and Jews.
Second…how does a man with multiple degrees think that he can use the word “booty” in a song?
A couple of serious thoughts on Michael Newdow and the this whole movement to remove all vestiges of “religion” from the public square.
As Christians we need to be very careful to not let emotion rule. I see posts calling Newdow names and saying really ugly things about him. We need to follow the example of Paul who engaged those who opposed the faith with well reasoned and thoughtful discussions.
The longer Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, the angrier he got–all those idols! The city was a junkyard of idols.
He discussed it with the Jews and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the Epicurean and Stoic intellectuals pretty well through these conversations. Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: “What an airhead!” But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: “That’s a new slant on the gods. Tell us more.” Acts 17 The Message
Research the issue. Have a point. Make your point with grace. Demonstrate the hope that lives within you.
Next, there is an inherent by product of living in a nation with free speech. That by product is that we will all be offended to some degree by others. You can’t have the right not to be offended and free speech Those two ideals are mutually exclusive.
I don’t have a huge emotional stake in this debate about “In God We Trust” on our coins. I would prefer that the inscription stay on our currency. But my real preference would be that those of us who claim to be followers of Christ would truly live a life that demonstrates trust in God. For that Michael Newdow has no legal recourse.