Name: Christopher Allen Line.
Where and when I was born: Monroe, Wis., Dec. 20, 1989.
Family: Father, Thomas Line; mother, Debra Line; brother, Jeremy Line.
Education: B.S. in political science, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; starting my second year at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
My religious upbringing was: Ideal. I was never baptized or forced to go to church (except by my friend’s parents after Saturday night sleepovers). My mom is agnostic and my dad is only nominally Catholic. My grandmother, who played a huge role in my life, is Catholic but I feel like she is becoming less religious in her declining years.
I went through a rebellious phase in elementary school when I experimented with church for a few weeks, but like most things that require getting up early on Sundays, I didn’t need it in my life.
How I came to work as an FFRF legal intern: I had an interest in interning with FFRF while I was an undergrad but I foolishly chose not to. I was already determined to not make the same mistake again before I had even settled on where I would be attending law school. I had my choice of several good schools in the Midwest, but knowing that I wanted to intern with FFRF regardless of where I attended, I chose to stay in my home state of Wisconsin and enjoy the proximity to my hometown and to FFRF.
What I do here: I draft letters that involve a variety of church/state issues and I do whatever else is asked of me, which may involve anything from researching complex legal issues to moving heavy boxes.
What I like best about it: I like the positive attitude of the entire staff. We have many victories but there are also losses, backlash and laws that are not on our side, but the staff maintains a positive attitude and a dedication to upholding the separation of church and state regardless of any obstacles that stand in the way.
Something funny that’s happened: Andrew Seidel, one of the staff attorneys, was laughing loudly in his office. He played the legal staff a voice mail complaining about the good work FFRF does. The crank ended his message with an astonishing example of self deception. Taking issue with FFRF’s tactics, he said would never go around calling organizations in other states to explain his opinion — in a phone message to an organization in another state explaining his opinion!
My legal interests are: Constitutional law, civil rights and civil liberties.
My legal heroes are: Atticus Finch, for being a fictional character willing to fight for what’s right even when everyone is against him because “the one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” Clarence Darrow, for being a real person willing to fight for what’s right because “as long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and no man rebelled, those wrongs would last forever.”
These three words sum me up: Intelligent, curious and sincere.
Things I like: Ultimate frisbee, photography and acoustic guitar.
Things I smite: Bigotry, politics and willful ignorance.
I wish you’d asked me: What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?
Name: Adam Grudman.
Where and when I was born: New York, N.Y., Feb. 22, 1994.
Family: Beth, aka Ma; Mark, aka Pops; Steven, aka Lil Bro 1; Brian, aka Lil Bro 2.
My religious upbringing was: Technically, Reform Judaism, but really we studied the ways of the Force.
How I came to work as an FFRF legal intern: Ever since I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the impact religion has on society and the impact it has on the human psyche. While doing research for internships that would simultaneously allow me to travel and meet likeminded people, I happened upon this opportunity. It was honestly pretty spontaneous. Life is more fun when you make impulsive decisions.
What I do here: Whatever they ask me. Mostly writing follow-up letters, doing research or my personal favorite: filing!
What I like best about it: The funny religious videos sent around the office and the running commentary on them.
Something funny that’s happened: The irony of an office full of atheists constantly talking about God.
My legal interests are: I’m really interested in how public policy affects society from a sociological standpoint. I’m hoping to become fluent in constitutional and civil rights law after I graduate in 2016 from the University of Maryland. I’m studying abroad in Austria during the fall semester.
My legal heroes are: Vinny Gambini (“My Cousin Vinny”), George Carlin (yes, he did have a Supreme Court ruling about him [FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, 1978]) and for “realz,” Clarence Darrow.
These three words sum me up: You mad bro?
Things I like: “Star Wars” and anything else with space, pumping iron, skiing, tubing, hiking, drinking, arguing with people, stand-up comedy, strategy games, philosophizing with strangers, ’90s rock and Eminem.
Things I smite: Uninformed people with strong opinions, political correctness, unpaid internships (just kidding, LOL).
I wish you’d asked me: What policies I’m going to implement when I become dictator of my own country.
