Atheist Loses Bid to Ban Inaugural Prayer

abc ^ | 2/23/04

[knak]

SAN FRANCISCO Feb. 23 — The atheist who persuaded a federal appeals court to strike down the Pledge of Allegiance because of the words "under God" lost a bid Monday to abolish prayer at presidential inaugurations. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Michael Newdow did not suffer "a sufficiently concrete and specific injury" to pursue his latest claim.

Newdow is both an emergency room physician and a lawyer and has represented himself in the two legal actions.

Newdow argued that the Rev. Franklin Graham's prayer at President Bush's 2001 inauguration was an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. He said the practice of clergy-led prayer at presidential inaugurations did not begin until Franklin D. Roosevelt's second inauguration in 1937.

In 2002, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit agreed with Newdow that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional when recited in public schools. The Supreme Court will hear the case next month.

Newdow challenged the pledge on behalf of his daughter, now 9, claiming she was wrongly being exposed to religion in public school.

The Sacramento man said he was unsure whether he would ask the high court to hear his challenge of inaugural prayer.

"I got other things on my mind at the moment," he said, referring to the pledge case, which Newdow himself will argue.

[demnomo]

I thought that I read somewhere that this atheist's daughter and her mother were Christians and did not support his actions. Was that just an internet myth?

[xzins]

My sense is that the only part which is the inauguration is the part with the oath.

Put about a minute or 2 on either side of it, and any number of people could move in and out of a room or from a TV set.

Newdow isn't injured at all. He's just a whinea$$.

Not only that, he's sorta stupid and/or in a fantasy world.....he likes to pretend there are no religious people in America.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Newdow is both an emergency room physician and a lawyer = nut"

A man educated beyond his intelligence.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think that is right, but I don't have a reference!

[Publius6961]

I would never let a nut like this treat me or any member of my family no matter how many degrees he has.

[little jeremiah]

In the immortal words:

Nanny Nanny Boo Boo!

Or

Nyah Nyah Nyah Nyah Nyaah Nyah!

Sometimes pronounced as:

Neener Neener Neener!

[NautiNurse]

Newdow must be a real joy to work with in the ER. I'm surprised an ER nurse hasn't clobbered him.

[little jeremiah]

There are so many appropriate comments on this thread, but I especially like this one:

A man educated beyond his intelligence.

[Howlin]

Good news bump!

[jwalsh07]

I thought that I read somewhere that this atheist's daughter and her mother were Christians and did not support his actions. Was that just an internet myth?

No, its Gods honest truth and the SCOTUS will be addressing whether or not Newdow even has standing in his POA suit.

[plain talk]

When I see some third world tribe in the middle of the jungle, worshiping a cow, a tree, the sun, etc. It don't make me mad. I'm indifferent to it. There not, why? Could it be they really believe, there just pissed off at him.

You've nailed it. There's a reaction to God in these atheists that reminds me of the clash between positive and negative, good and evil and God and the devil. They sure waste a lot of time, money and energy on something they don't believe in.

[mass55th]

This guy should be forced to see Gibson's Passion of the Christ for eternity.

[Cold Heat]

"I got other things on my mind at the moment,"

Fooled Me!

[commish]

the Ninth circuit has had a few good ruling in the past couple weeks

They read that 90% of thier decisions get overturned on review, and figured they would play the odds. They don't understand it is what they decide that causes the overturning, they figure it is a Vast Scalia Conspiracy.

[Ignatius J Reilly]

netmilsmom, you're righ it doesn't, as ravingnutter pointed out the constitution guarantees freedom of religion not freedom from religion. Sorry I should have been more careful with my words. What I was saying is that I do believe gov't has no business promoting any religion. I also think that it is absurd to try to change a traditional ceremony because some freak has his panties in a bunch over the use of the word god. I say to him - get a freakin life

[RJL]

Newdow challenged the pledge on behalf of his daughter, now 9, claiming she was wrongly being exposed to religion in public school.

The media always seems to forget to add that Newdow was only using his daughter to further his political views. His daughter is a practicing Christian and is happy to include “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.

[MeekOneGOP]

I thought that I read somewhere that this atheist's daughter and her mother were Christians and did not support his actions. Was that just an internet myth?

That is true ! Newdow even admitted that on FOX News, I believe.

[Aeronaut]

Michael Nednow

[Sender]

I also read that Newdow's wife and daughter are not at all on board with his suit. He tried to make it look like the little girl was offended by the pledge but she said no.

The guy's an ER physician, has the Porsche (probably) and the house in CA, all the perks. I guess that's not enough for him. He has to put himself in the news as well.

I can't stand it when liberals try to ruin freedom for everyone else just because they disagree with something. If the pledge offends him so, then he shouldn't recite the pledge. I guess Dr Newdow hasn't read much from the early Americans either, since they often referred specifically to God and Christianity and the blessings on this nation.

[netmilsmom]

Spot on!
We are in full agreement!