Date of Birth: June 24, 1953
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Biography
Michael Arthur Newdow is an American attorney, emergency medicine physician, and prominent atheist activist. Born on June 24, 1953, in New York City, New York, he gained national attention for his legal challenges against the inclusion of the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and the phrase “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University, a medical degree from UCLA School of Medicine, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Newdow’s most notable case was Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow, where he argued before the Supreme Court of the United States that the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Although the Supreme Court ruled that he did not have standing to bring the case on behalf of his daughter, the case brought significant attention to church-state separation issues. Apart from his legal career, Newdow practices emergency medicine. His dual career paths and his activism make him a unique figure in both legal and medical fields.
5 Interesting Facts about Michael Newdow
1. Michael Newdow is both a licensed attorney and a practicing emergency medicine physician.
2. He founded the First Amendmist Church of True Science (FACTS), which advocates for the separation of church and state.
3. He argued his own case before the U.S. Supreme Court in Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow.
4. Newdow is a vocal advocate for atheism and secularism in public policies.
5. He also filed lawsuits to remove “In God We Trust” from U.S. currency but was unsuccessful.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Michael Newdow
1. “The government should not be in the business of endorsing religion.”
2. “The Pledge of Allegiance should be a patriotic exercise, not a religious one.”
3. “I believe in a strict interpretation of the First Amendment.”
4. “Secularism ensures freedom for all religious beliefs and non-beliefs.”
5. “The inclusion of ‘under God’ in the Pledge is a clear violation of the separation of church and state.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Michael Newdow’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Michael Newdow has one daughter, who was central to his case in Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow.
Relevant Links
1. [Michael Newdow on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Newdow
3. [First Amendmist Church of True Science (FACTS](http://www.factschurch.org
4. [Michael Newdow’s Supreme Court Case](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/03pdf/02-1624.pdf
5. [Interview with Michael Newdow](https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1877991
