Would you rather go to prison or church? (Page 3) ShawnXx: Oh yeah, reality of the law is a helluva thing. I would think forcing your beliefs on people because you believe you're above the law and using your beliefs as punishment is disgusting. It kinda takes free will away from people that are considered unworthy based on mistakes they've made.  duncan124: Churches are private in the US. But Judges did have the right to impose what sentence they thought fit and people did think that giving someone a job to do for punishment, which they could see they had done afterwards was more successful then imprisonment, and it was one of the churches that promoted that idea...  Azathoth: I wish I could recall what the judge wanted the offender to do, at his church. If I am right...it was work on the building itself. Merc, I've heard that about AA, too. The spiritual aspect shouldn't be apart of the court process. I agree with you 100%. Azathoth: That's right. My memory sucks. Still, that's for the betterment of the judge's church. Doesn't seem right. Whimsical Fairy: Ordering someone to attend church service (instead of jail/prison) is clearly different then ordering someone to build a ramp as part of their community service. (Edited by Whimsical Fairy) Azathoth: The ramp is on church ground, Tink. That's the point. There are plenty of public (municipal, county, state run) areas to exact the community service. ShawnXx: And AA is considered a General Service...hmmm....most people don't know AA is faith based and don't care because they believe it's doing "good". Azathoth: Wow, Merc. That's indeed screwed up! I honestly didn't know that AA was that religious. I did know that some judges like to send people there. It does seem very unconstitutional. Here's something I just snagged from theblaze.com: An Oklahoma teenager In Muskogee, Oklahoma, who pleaded guilty in the tragic death of another teen has been given an interesting sentence: 10 years of church attendance in exchange for not heading to prison. The defendant, Tyler Alred, 17, is not fighting a judge’s mandate, as his lawyer deems the decision both fair and appropriate. Edit: the correct site is "theblaze.com" (Edited by Azathoth) Whimsical Fairy: I do believe that is the same story that was originally posted. EDIT- yes, that is the same story Coffee posted originally...just different news links. . (Edited by Whimsical Fairy) Azathoth: Always good to read multiple versions of the same story, I suppose. Either way it's sliced, though, this story's pie just doesn't sit right with me. This thread may turn into a discussion of the separation of Church and State...moreso than it has already. lol Whimsical Fairy: I completely agree, it is good to read many versions. I generally Goggle the person's name so that all the stories from all media sources pop up. . (Edited by Whimsical Fairy) Azathoth: Right on. That's what I do, too. I love my iPod, but in these situations...it sucks. I did get to look up Merc's AA link, though, but not by cut and paste. Azathoth: I find the District Court Judge's comment here to be interesting. I offer it as food for thought...his thought anyway: "The Lord works in many ways," Norman, 69, told ABC News today. "I've done a little bit of this kind of thing before, but never on such a serious charge." Azathoth: Hehe... Yeah, I do get eye strain. I'm glad my vision is good, or I'd have migraines and would likely have a broken iPod from throwing it across the room. Whimsical Fairy: I think it will be interesting to see if the sentence gets overturned. The article does say that he has imposed sentences like this before...but, wow...I'm just not sure how it can be legal. Azathoth: Exactly. I bet it may go to the OK Supreme Court, if only to validate its constitutionality. Whimsical Fairy: Interesting article Coffee and one that I will be sure to follow. Thanks for the debates guys.  As always, I wish you all a wonderful weekend. Gotta fly. Azathoth: Thank you, Tink. Always a pleasure. I'm out also. Food and football beckon. Yes, I'm a man. lol | Off Topic Chat Room Similar Conversations |
