In the News

Ernie Chambers Sues God

Nebraska's longest-serving state senator, Ernie Chambers, filed a lawsuit, Chambers v. God, in mid-September, seeking a permanent injunction against God's threats.

Chambers, who self-identifies as nonreligious, is both raising consciousness about violence in the name of religion, and protesting what he considers a frivolous lawsuit filed against the Nebraska legislature.

His lawsuit was filed in Douglas County, Neb., "since the Defendant is omnipresent."

Sen. Chambers challenged paid prayers before the Nebraska Legislature in the Supreme Court case, Marsh v. Chambers (1983). The activist purposely will be term-limited out of office in 2008.

Chambers' legal complaint accuses the Defendant of making terroristic threats against him and his constituents, of inspiring fear and causing "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants." He also notes the Defendant does nothing to check the threats and violence in his name by his earthly representatives.

Can he make that a class-action suit, please?

To hear an entertaining interview with Chambers on Freethought Radio (Sept. 22), visit:

http://ffrf.org/radio/podcast/

Christian Nationists in Majority?

In a poll released on Sept. 11 to mark the 220th anniversary of the adoption the secular U.S. Constitution (Sept. 17, 1787), an astonishing 55% of Americans said they believe the Constitution "establishes a Christian nation."

The U.S. Constitution, of course, is a godless document, which bars a religious test for public office and makes no mention of a deity, Christianity or the Ten Commandments.

The poll taken for the First Amendment Center also found:

65% believe the nation's founders intended the United States to be a Christian nation.

98% said the right to speak freely about whatever you want is essential or important. But 39% would muzzle public statements that might offend some religionists.

56% believe the freedom to worship extends to all religious grounds (down from 72% in 2000).

Soldier, Weinstein Sue Pentagon

A federal lawsuit was filed on Sept. 17 in Kansas City, Kan., challenging a pattern of discriminatory practices against nonChristians in the military. That date marked the 220th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

Spec. Jeremy Hall, who is in Iraq, is suing with the help of Mikey Weinstein's Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Attempting to counter ubiquitous religious flyers distributed at his base, Hall received permission to convene a meeting for atheists and nonChristians. Maj. Freddy J. Welborn then threatened to file military charges against Hall and block his reenlistment.

Listen to Freethought Radio's interview with Mikey Weinstein (Sept. 8) at:

http://ffrf.org/radio/podcast/