Philip K. Paulson
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Philip Kevin Paulson (1947-2006) was the lead plaintiff in a series of law suits to remove a Christian cross from a prominent summit in the city of San Diego. He spent seventeen years, starting with a pro se action against the city, then as lead plaintiff, in multiple successful federal court challenges to remove the 43 foot high cross from this government owned land, arguing that the cross violates the separation of church and state interpretation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the No Preference Clause of the California Constitution. The local community, however, made it clear through several referendums that removing the cross was overwhelmingly opposed by the public. The details of the court cases, referendums and federal actions relating to this issue are described in the article Mount Soledad cross controversy.
His detractors, lead by the only daily newspaper in the city, The San Diego Union Tribune, depicted him as a man on a mission to deny the expression of the majority's religious preference. In numerous articles and letters to the editor he was invariably referred to as "Atheist Philip Paulson”, with rarely a mention of his veteran status, having served two combat tours in Viet Nam. Mr. Paulson described his experiences as an atheist in Viet Nam in the article I Was an Atheist in a Foxhole for the American Humanist Association.
He refused interviews and public speaking, except for a single interview with the Union Tribune when he learned that he had terminal liver cancer. Upon his death at the age of 59 the newspaper that had lead the attacks against him printed a remarkable obituary, belatedly providing a full balanced picture of who he was to the public.[1] It contained this quote, which summarized his motivation:
“I fought in Vietnam and I thought I fought to maintain freedom and yet the cross savers in this city would have us believe all of the veterans' sacrifices are in vain, that the Constitution is something to be spit on,” Mr. Paulson said. “The real message is equal treatment under the law, and religious neutrality. That's the purpose of why I did it. It has nothing to do with me being an atheist. The fact is, the Constitution calls for no preference and that's why every judge ruled for me.”
When it became known that Paulson had only months to live, his friends and supporters organized a luncheon to honor him. Over a hundred people, including national leaders of the movement to preserve separation of church and state, attended. Among the many expressions of appreciation, this one speech is available, showing Paulson (hair missing due to chemotherapy) in the audience.
In October of 2006, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, at its annual convention in San Francisco, gave Paulson its first "Atheist in a Foxhole" award. He attended although he was barely able to travel, as he was dying of cancer.
