MattShizzle
25th September 2011, 18:27
http://gapolitico.com/2011/09/25/judge-forces-criminals-to-choose-church-or-jail/
A judge in Alabama is forcing non-violent offenders to choose between going to church or going to jail. A new program in Alabama, called “Operation Restore Our Community” allows judges to mandate a choice (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/weird/Church-or-Jail-Alabama-Judge-Gives-Criminals-Choice-130444648.html) between church and jail.
Bay Minette Police Chief Mike Rowland says the program could change the lives of people heading down the wrong path. So far, 56 churches are participating. Rowland said the program is Constitutional because offenders get to choose between jail and church.
The website does not mention if any synagogues or mosques are participating in the program or if other religions are even allowed to participate in the program. Atheists would be forced to deny their beliefs (or lack thereof) to avoid jail time.
Regardless, it seems that the involvement of religion would violate the Constitution. Despite what Rowland says, forcing someone to choose between jail and church seems to be the very thing the First Amendment set out to avoid – not encourage.
WTF????
A judge in Alabama is forcing non-violent offenders to choose between going to church or going to jail. A new program in Alabama, called “Operation Restore Our Community” allows judges to mandate a choice (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/weird/Church-or-Jail-Alabama-Judge-Gives-Criminals-Choice-130444648.html) between church and jail.
Bay Minette Police Chief Mike Rowland says the program could change the lives of people heading down the wrong path. So far, 56 churches are participating. Rowland said the program is Constitutional because offenders get to choose between jail and church.
The website does not mention if any synagogues or mosques are participating in the program or if other religions are even allowed to participate in the program. Atheists would be forced to deny their beliefs (or lack thereof) to avoid jail time.
Regardless, it seems that the involvement of religion would violate the Constitution. Despite what Rowland says, forcing someone to choose between jail and church seems to be the very thing the First Amendment set out to avoid – not encourage.
WTF????