Callahan

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Plaintiff, Robert Dale Callahan, brings this action to enjoin defendants, Department of Benefit Payments (“the Department”) and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (“HEW”), from requiring that he obtain a social security number for his daughter in order to qualify for Aid to Families With Dependent Children (“AFDC”) benefits to which his family is otherwise entitled. Callahan claims that the requirement that he take a social securi ty number for his daughter interferes with the free exercise of his religion. The unique circumstances of the case called upon the Court to undertake the delicate and difficult task of determining whether or not plaintiff’s beliefs were and are sincere and religious in nature. For the reasons hereinafter stated, the Court finds that plaintiff’s views, although sincerely held, are not “rooted in religious belief,” and therefore do not possess constitutional dimension. Judgment is granted for the defendants in accordance with this Memorandum Opinion, which shall constitute findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

I.

Plaintiff is married and has two children,…