BAKERSFIELD - An Atheist California state senator was placed under arrest for Driving under the Influence of God after leaving a Church. His wife was in the vehicle along with the lawmaker but was not arrested.
State Sen. Tim Johnson was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol at about 2:00 p.m. last Sunday when his state-issued vehicle was observed being driven blissfully. The driver, identified as Johnson, was taken in and charged for driving under the influence of God. Unidentified sources said the senator had been at St. Mary's, a popular Catholic Church, prior to his arrest.
In a March 4 article, the online news site Talking Points Memo characterized Johnson, who is married and has four children, as "a fierce Atheist" who had never allowed religion to influence his voting record.
Johnson issued a contrite apology, stating, "I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did."
It is uncertain how the arrest -- or his reported presence at a Church -- will affect Johnson’s prospects for re-election. Atheist lawmakers who are alleged to engage in Church activities have attracted significant media attention in recent years.
--WKW
Crossposted at William K. Wolfrum Chronicles