Founder of the First Amendmist Church of True Science
Position:
Con to the question "Should the words "under God" be in the US Pledge of Allegiance?"
Reasoning:
"The First Amendment states 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.' As I understand it, this resulted from the Framers' awareness of the persecution and animosity that inevitably accompanies state religions. With this in mind, they made the decision to ensure religious freedom by keeping the government out of that sensitive area. Personally, I think this was a good idea. And even if I didn't, it's one of the fundamental rules of our society. Thus, when I see our Pledge of Allegiance containing the words 'under God,' I see a gross violation of one of our foremost Constitutional mandates."
Experts JD's (lawyers), US Presidents, federal appellate opinions, US Founding Fathers, Members of Congress, members of state legislative bodies with significant involvement in, or related to, the "under God" conflict and/or government and constitutional law, and those with PhD's in government, constitutional law or other relevant fields. [Note: Experts definition varies by site.]
Involvement and Affiliations:
Emergency room physician on a "locum tenens" basis, 1979-Present
Filed lawsuits challenging the Constitutionality of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, 2005-2007
Filed a challenge to the use of chaplains at presidential inaugurations, 2004
Obtained Doctor of the Universe Degree, 1998
Founded the First Amendmist Church of True Science (FACTS), 1997
Ordained minister, Universal Life Church, 1977
Holds medical licenses in California, Florida (inactive), New Jersey (inactive), Michigan, North Carolina, and Virginia
First Place recipient, Delta Omega Honorary Society of Public Health Student Essay Contest, writing on "Empowering the Disadvantaged: Social Justice in Public Health."
Education:
Fellowship, Olive View program, University of California Los Angeles, 1994-1996
JD, University of Michigan Law School, 1988
Internship, Kings County Medical Center, New York, 1978-1979
MD, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, 1978
