Would you rather go to prison or church? (Page 4)  Aura: Lol, I'm not used to my topics getting more than a few replies. Nah i didn't say not to mention AA, just that it's not about AA. I know judges like to make alcoholics go to AA, but this one really wants him to do church every sunday. I do understand the military doesn't want convicts. But this kid, even though he admitted he was drinking, his alcohol level was below the limit. He seems not so much a criminal as a general screw up. That's why I said in this case, enlisting would be a good option. I get that they don't want to be a get out of jail free card. I just think one should decide on case to case bases and try to generalize as little as possible.  ohnonotthatguy: Ok let me see this again. Church??? Prison??? Church??? Prison??? Church??? Prison??? Church??? Prison??? Is this a multiply choose question ? Geoff: I'd still prefer prison to church - I would consider myself surrounded by a better class of people for a start. ~LoisLane~: For the OP, I would say church. Im not sure the people who are saying "prison" know what actually goes on in there....No thanks. Not like church would be some great option but if those are my only 2 then....church it is. I also think Bootcamp is a terrible idea for some kids (Esp in Utah and places like that) but I dont think its bad for all kids. The places who "do it right" and are not there to harm the kids but to maybe teach them some discipline isnt a bad idea. Sometimes, parents need some help. Good topic.!!  Art0fliving: ok...I think Perspective here is needed...If the Teen is forced to go to Church...he will HATE it...it wont have any desired effect...and If he is going to Jail, what kind of jail?...if you are choosing, that is one thing, but if someone is forcing you, that is different... ~LoisLane~: If we are talking regular church, singing kneeling stand up sit down and all that....Ya I will be going there and not jail/prison. Doesnt matter what kind of jail it is....no one wants to pee infront of someone else. I dont care who you are. Geoff: I would have to assume that the judge felt the teenager was of the sort who would be affected by attending a church (unless the judge was actually a total fool). If a sensible judge recognised the teen as someone who had come to the realisation that the existence of god was an impossibility, then giving them the choice to sit through some mindless twaddle in a house of worship would be totally pointless. Geoff: And I must say that there are a fair number of young troublemakers for whom bootcamp really does maketh the man. My brother was one such case. He wasn't bad (per se), but he did get into trouble. He's now a decorated platoon sergeant, training new recruits. Azathoth: Well, he was under the legal limit, when the accident occurred. This Oklahoma District Judge said that he'd done it before. Azathoth: Correction: the judge had done it before,...as in sentencing church instead of orthodox punishment. ~LoisLane~: I agree with that Geoff....Bootcamp can help (I have also seen it) but yes it would be pointless to have the kid go to the church if they dont think its a bg deal and get nothing out of it. (I still think its better then going to jail tho, if I personally had the choice.) Azathoth: From the ABC news site: "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." So, it is something that's gone on for a bit. I think this case will go to the OK Supreme Court, before final judgement on the full sentencing is exacted. Whimsical Fairy: Personally, I don't think jail will do him any good. I don't think church will either. I don't think boot camp will either, or even enlisting. The boy made a very poor decision and 2 ppl lost their lives...that is something he will have to live with for the rest of his life. No punishment meted out will ever equal what his own guilt will do to him. Geoff: IMO, the best solution (if gaol wasn't an option) would be to confiscate his car and crush it. Personally, I'd have thrown the book at him. In the general scheme of things, I don't think that giving the choice of church attendance would, could or should replace proper judicial punishment. Azathoth: If jail, military, AA, or church aren't good punishments/deterrents, then what's the logical choice? A half-way house. Maybe as Geoff suggested-taking his car-I would add taking his license altogether-could work. Also attending the funeral with the victims' parents. There has to be SOME reprecussions brought against him. This truly is a tough subject to right.  duncan124: "The boy made a very poor decision and 2 ppl lost their lives" What does that mean? His parents are dead or he had an accident in his car? You smelly old gets are starting to suck. Churches are private, everyone and anyone can have an accident this whole thing sounds like abuse. Whimsical Fairy: The victims parents agreed to the punishment meted out by the judge. The judge also acknowledges that his ruling is unconstitutional but he stands on the ground that nobody will challenge it because the victims parents agree with the ruling. I honestly don't know what I would do or want to do if I was the judge. The boy (16 at the time) made a really bad decision... BUT, should his life be over because of it? Azathoth: All I say is: do the crime...do the time. He was guilty of some things. Even involuntary manslaughter is prosecutable. Geoff: 16 is old enough to know that what you are doing is wrong. If you insist on doing it, then you need to face the consequences. | Off Topic Chat Room Similar Conversations |