Today, I’ll tell a tale of two men, two men who came across one another in an unusual way with unusual results.
The first is Dr. Michael Newdow, a Sacramento emergency room doctor, lawyer, and militant atheist. In 1997, he formed an organization called FACTS (First Atheist Church of True Science) to advocate his version of the separation of church and state.
Some years ago, Newdow brought a lawsuit to force the removal of the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. He claimed his 10-year-old daughter was being brainwashed by reciting the Pledge in violation of the First Amendment, which, he believed, guarantees the separation of church and state.
The Supreme Court in Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow (2004) dismissed Newdow’s lawsuit, holding that he did not have standing to bring this case on behalf of his daughter because he was in a legal battle over her custody.
Newdow brought other lawsuits to eliminate practices which he considered an establishment of religion, including one unsuccessful lawsuit to remove “In God We Trust” from coins and currency and other lawsuits to prohibit religious invocations at presidential inaugurations. The Foundation for Moral Law, for which I serve as senior counsel, filed amicus briefs in several of these cases opposing Newdow’s position. Most of these were unsuccessful, but the Freedom From Religion Foundation named him Freethinker of the Year in 2002 and a Freethought Hero in 2004.
Enter the second man, George Turnipseed, a military veteran and active member of my local American Legion Post, as well as a devout Christian. He leads Turnipseed Properties, which he regards as a public service: “The goal is to match the right individuals with the right land.”
Turnipseed was teaching a men’s Sunday school class at Boones Chapel near Prattville when Newdow and his lawsuits came up in the discussion. One man said he’d like to cane Newdow, and others agreed. But Turnipseed said, “I’m not sure that’s what Jesus would do.” After further discussion, Turnipseed suggested they invite Newdow to their church and Sunday school. The men agreed, so Turnipseed sent the invitation.
Shortly thereafter, Turnipseed’s phone rang. The voice on the other end said, “This is Mike Newdow. I understand you’re concerned about my soul.”
“I am,” Turnipseed answered. “It appears to me you’re on the road to hell, and I don’t think you’ll like it very much.” As they continued to talk, Turnipseed invited Newdow to attend his Sunday school class. To the amazement of some, Newdow accepted! Turnipseed sent him a round-trip ticket and also invited former Chief Justice Roy Moore to the class. They attended, and the three of them had several good conversations.
I wish I could say Newdow became a Christian, but I can’t say that – at least, not yet. He remains an atheist, but the two gentlemen communicate frequently and consider themselves friends. The final chapter in this story has yet to be written.
But so far as I can tell, Newdow has not filed any lawsuits challenging religious practices lately. Has Turnipseed touched his heart in some way? Is there a lesson here? Could it be that, by interacting with people on the other side and treating them as human beings, we help them see that we are human as well?
Jude 3 tells us that we “should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Yes, we need to contend for the faith, whether on a military battleground, in a courtroom, an academic classroom, a debate forum, or in a barbershop discussion.
Turnipseed’s way of contending for the faith – treating his opponent with kindness and personal concern – is just as effective as my legal brief. We need both.
But here’s an afterthought, and it may be the most important part of the story. “You’re a national figure, and you’re so busy with so many things,” a reporter asked Newdow. “Why would you come to a Sunday school class in a little church in rural Alabama?”
“Because they asked me,” Newdow answered simply.
With attendance declining in so many churches, is there a lesson here?
Of course there is. But if you can’t figure it out, it’s pointless for me to tell you.
Colonel Eidsmoe serves as Professor of Constitutional Law for the Oak Brook College of Law & Government Policy (obcl.edu), as Senior Counsel for the Foundation for Moral Law (morallaw.org), and as Pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church of Notasulga, AL (woodlandpca.org). He may be contacted for speaking engagements at [email protected]. George Turnipseed may be reached at turnipseed.properties.com.
