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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/26/jesus-or-jail-alabama-town-offers-options-for-serving-time/?iref=obnetwork
If you're charged with a nonviolent crime in one Alabama town, you might just have the chance to pray it all away.
Starting this week, under a new program called Operation ROC (Restore Our Community), local judges in Bay Minette, Alabama, will give those found guilty of misdemeanors the choice of serving out their time in jail, paying a fine or attending church each Sunday for a year.
The goal of the program is to help steer those who are not yet hardened criminals the chance to turn their lives around. Those who choose to go to church (there are no mosques or synagogues in the area) will have to check in with a pastor and the police department each week, CNN affiliate WKRG reported. Once you attend church every week for a year the case would be dismissed.
Police Chief Mike Rowland said the measure is one that would help save money and help direct people down the right path. Rowland told WKRG it costs $75 a day to house each inmate.
"Longevity is the key," he told WKRG.
He said he believes 30-day drug programs don't have the long-term capabilities to heal someone in the ways the ROC program might.
Police in the town said they think it is a simple choice, but others think it's a choice that shouldn't even be offered.
The ACLU in Alabama said the idea is "blatantly unconstitutional," according to the Alabama Press-Register.
"It violates one basic tenet of the Constitution, namely that government can’t force participation in religious activity," Olivia Turner, executive director for the ACLU of Alabama told the paper.
Rowland acknowledged there were concerns about separation of church and state complaints but said he didn't see it as too big of a problem because offenders weren't being forced to attend church, they are just being given the option.
The offenders who voluntarily choose church over jail get to pick the churches they attend. If they complete a year’s attendance, Rowland said, their criminal case would be dismissed.
Wow.... 
"Rowland acknowledged there were concerns about separation of church and state complaints but said he didn't see it as too big of a problem because offenders weren't being forced to attend church, they are just being given the option."
Your options are to go to jail and have a criminal record, or go to church and have no criminal record... yeah, real choice there.....
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Posted 9/27/11 8:09 AM  |
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MamaLeen
:)
Member since 10/09 4594 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
This is very disturbing to me. 
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| Posted 9/27/11 8:21 AM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
 That's ridiculous.
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| Posted 9/27/11 8:23 AM |
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jam11308
Member since 11/07 7273 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
That is completely insane. I have no words...
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| Posted 9/27/11 8:49 AM |
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evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
eh they have three choices
1. jail
2. pay a fine
3. go to church
they get to choose their church
there's no other religious institutions in the area
it is a choice, and prison's also offer a religious component to them-how is that any different? they're not being forced to go, they're having the option
AND
think of how much money that will save their gvt..
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| Posted 9/27/11 8:52 AM |
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evnme
My little lamb
Member since 8/05 12633 total posts
Name:
aka momma2b
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Sounds like what happened during the Spanish inquisition to me.... Not as bad as convert or be killed, but still....
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| Posted 9/27/11 8:55 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Fabulous idea to offer the OPTION.
Think of how beneficial it would be for them to be part of a CARING community! (Even putting the religious aspects aside)
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| Posted 9/27/11 8:56 AM |
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emilylives
biking
Member since 12/09 2163 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
That is extremely scary and gives me major doubts about the ability of the current citizenry to understand the constitution. Even if they had ten options, if one of them was church and there wasn't a parallel option for someone who doesn't believe, that is totally inappropriate.
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| Posted 9/27/11 8:58 AM |
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emilylives
biking
Member since 12/09 2163 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by GioiaMia
Fabulous idea to offer the OPTION.
Think of how beneficial it would be for them to be part of a CARING community! (Even putting the religious aspects aside)
community?? if i'm an atheist, how is going to church helping me build a community? it's making me feel alienated and strange, and trying to force me to believe in something that i don't. and it's not a real option if the only others are jail or paying a fine (which many can't do). it goes against everything that we stand for as a country.
sorry if this sounds overly heated or harsh, but this for some reason has really struck a chord with me.
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| Posted 9/27/11 8:59 AM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by emilylives
Posted by GioiaMia
Fabulous idea to offer the OPTION.
Think of how beneficial it would be for them to be part of a CARING community! (Even putting the religious aspects aside)
community?? if i'm an atheist, how is going to church helping me build a community? it's making me feel alienated and strange, and trying to force me to believe in something that i don't. and it's not a real option if the only others are jail or paying a fine (which many can't do). it goes against everything that we stand for as a country.
sorry if this sounds overly heated or harsh, but this for some reason has really struck a chord with me.
ITA. Even if I thought it was a good idea, which I don't, it's unconsitutional.
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:02 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by emilylives
Posted by GioiaMia
Fabulous idea to offer the OPTION.
Think of how beneficial it would be for them to be part of a CARING community! (Even putting the religious aspects aside)
community?? if i'm an atheist, how is going to church helping me build a community? it's making me feel alienated and strange, and trying to force me to believe in something that i don't. and it's not a real option if the only others are jail or paying a fine (which many can't do). it goes against everything that we stand for as a country.
sorry if this sounds overly heated or harsh, but this for some reason has really struck a chord with me.
you are an atheist - you don't choose the church option
i don't understand how this can offend you now?
this goes against everything we stand for as a country? well, our prison system isnt working - maybe its time to try something new.
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:05 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
I know this is not going to be received well on LIF, where GOD and CHURCH are dirty dirty words. Luckily, they are trying this in Alabama - I am sure it is different there. . . and maybe won't meet as much resistance!
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:08 AM |
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evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
btw i forgot..there IS a 4th option, would make this all a moot point
DON'T COMMIT THE CRIME!
problem solved 
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:08 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by evrythng4areason
btw i forgot..there IS a 4th option, would make this all a moot point
DON'T COMMIT THE CRIME!
problem solved
Nooooo, Silly! Committing the crime is OK, its the going to church part that will cause the uproar! Don't you know ANYTHING?! sheesh!!!
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:11 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by GioiaMia
Posted by emilylives
Posted by GioiaMia
Fabulous idea to offer the OPTION.
Think of how beneficial it would be for them to be part of a CARING community! (Even putting the religious aspects aside)
community?? if i'm an atheist, how is going to church helping me build a community? it's making me feel alienated and strange, and trying to force me to believe in something that i don't. and it's not a real option if the only others are jail or paying a fine (which many can't do). it goes against everything that we stand for as a country.
sorry if this sounds overly heated or harsh, but this for some reason has really struck a chord with me.
you are an atheist - you don't choose the church option
i don't understand how this can offend you now?
this goes against everything we stand for as a country? well, our prison system isnt working - maybe its time to try something new.
The options are completely different. If you chose jail or the fine, you have a criminal record. If you chose the church route, you don't get a criminal record. Completely different "choices", and definitely not equal choices by a long shot.
Also, if you already go to church every week anyway, you get off completely scott-free, since your "punishment" is to continue doing your normal routine.....
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:16 AM |
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emilylives
biking
Member since 12/09 2163 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by GioiaMia
I know this is not going to be received well on LIF, where GOD and CHURCH are dirty dirty words. Luckily, they are trying this in Alabama - I am sure it is different there. . . and maybe won't meet as much resistance!
god and church aren't dirty words to me, but i don't feel that i should have fewer rights because i don't believe in god. this is giving preference to someone is religious over someone who is not religious. that is not religious equality. that is not separation of church and state. i believe in learning and science. if i'm caught with an open bottle of liquor, i would like to go to a literary club once a week, not a church. how about make it an option to join a community group, and leave out the religious part?
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:18 AM |
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LadyGIGI
LIF Toddler
Member since 2/11 444 total posts
Name:
DG
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
i wouldnt want to be in church on a sunday with a bunch of criminals.
why subject the rest of the public to that?
Message edited 9/27/2011 9:18:37 AM.
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:18 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by emilylives
Posted by GioiaMia
I know this is not going to be received well on LIF, where GOD and CHURCH are dirty dirty words. Luckily, they are trying this in Alabama - I am sure it is different there. . . and maybe won't meet as much resistance!
god and church aren't dirty words to me, but i don't feel that i should have fewer rights because i don't believe in god. this is giving preference to someone is religious over someone who is not religious. that is not religious equality. that is not separation of church and state. i believe in learning and science. if i'm caught with an open bottle of liquor, i would like to go to a literary club once a week, not a church. how about make it an option to join a community group, and leave out the religious part?
How about a community group, which CAN be a church - as ONE option. I think the community aspect is really the part I find CAN be the most beneficial. I am not even thinking about the faith/religious part. . . b/c let's be honest. . . the place where most people FIND GOD is jail 
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:20 AM |
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emilylives
biking
Member since 12/09 2163 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by LadyGIGI
i wouldnt want to be in church on a sunday with a bunch of criminals.
why subject the rest of the public to that?
we're somehow on the same side here because we're both rejecting the idea, but i just wanted to point out that these are misdemeanors. these are people who didn't check all the safety valves on their boat before they left the marina, threw a banana peel out their window, or got caught with an open bottle of alcohol. they're not talking about murderers.
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:20 AM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by GioiaMia
Posted by emilylives
Posted by GioiaMia
Fabulous idea to offer the OPTION.
Think of how beneficial it would be for them to be part of a CARING community! (Even putting the religious aspects aside)
community?? if i'm an atheist, how is going to church helping me build a community? it's making me feel alienated and strange, and trying to force me to believe in something that i don't. and it's not a real option if the only others are jail or paying a fine (which many can't do). it goes against everything that we stand for as a country.
sorry if this sounds overly heated or harsh, but this for some reason has really struck a chord with me.
you are an atheist - you don't choose the church option
i don't understand how this can offend you now?
this goes against everything we stand for as a country? well, our prison system isnt working - maybe its time to try something new.
The options are completely different. If you chose jail or the fine, you have a criminal record. If you chose the church route, you don't get a criminal record. Completely different "choices", and definitely not equal choices by a long shot.
Also, if you already go to church every week anyway, you get off completely scott-free, since your "punishment" is to continue doing your normal routine.....
I was wondering about that as well, when they say dismissed they don't mean "time served" do they? So there's no record of it happening at all? That's scary, very scary. And the whole point of jail is to be taken OUT OF SOCIETY and rehabilitated (not that they do much rehabilitation, but that's the idea!). If you're walking around free, that's not even remotely equal to serving a jail sentence. I could see maybe, MAYBE going to church in lieu of a fine, but even still it's unconsitutional.
Also, there's no need to be snarky. Emily made her point in a reasonable manner and apologized if she even seemed heated as it was a subject that hit home with her. There's no need for sarcasm.
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:21 AM |
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emilylives
biking
Member since 12/09 2163 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by GioiaMia
Posted by emilylives
Posted by GioiaMia
I know this is not going to be received well on LIF, where GOD and CHURCH are dirty dirty words. Luckily, they are trying this in Alabama - I am sure it is different there. . . and maybe won't meet as much resistance!
god and church aren't dirty words to me, but i don't feel that i should have fewer rights because i don't believe in god. this is giving preference to someone is religious over someone who is not religious. that is not religious equality. that is not separation of church and state. i believe in learning and science. if i'm caught with an open bottle of liquor, i would like to go to a literary club once a week, not a church. how about make it an option to join a community group, and leave out the religious part?
How about a community group, which CAN be a church - as ONE option. I think the community aspect is really the part I find CAN be the most beneficial. I am not even thinking about the faith/religious part. . . b/c let's be honest. . . the place where most people FIND GOD is jail
of course a church would be one option. it's favoring it over non-religious options that crosses the boundary to me. (not that i necessarily think this would help stop crime, but at least it's not unconstitutional.)
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:22 AM |
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LadyGIGI
LIF Toddler
Member since 2/11 444 total posts
Name:
DG
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by emilylives
Posted by LadyGIGI
i wouldnt want to be in church on a sunday with a bunch of criminals.
why subject the rest of the public to that?
we're somehow on the same side here because we're both rejecting the idea, but i just wanted to point out that these are misdemeanors. these are people who didn't check all the safety valves on their boat before they left the marina, threw a banana peel out their window, or got caught with an open bottle of alcohol. they're not talking about murderers.
true.. church is probably filled with that on any given day anyway.
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:22 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by jilliibabii
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by GioiaMia
Posted by emilylives
Posted by GioiaMia
Fabulous idea to offer the OPTION.
Think of how beneficial it would be for them to be part of a CARING community! (Even putting the religious aspects aside)
community?? if i'm an atheist, how is going to church helping me build a community? it's making me feel alienated and strange, and trying to force me to believe in something that i don't. and it's not a real option if the only others are jail or paying a fine (which many can't do). it goes against everything that we stand for as a country.
sorry if this sounds overly heated or harsh, but this for some reason has really struck a chord with me.
you are an atheist - you don't choose the church option
i don't understand how this can offend you now?
this goes against everything we stand for as a country? well, our prison system isnt working - maybe its time to try something new.
The options are completely different. If you chose jail or the fine, you have a criminal record. If you chose the church route, you don't get a criminal record. Completely different "choices", and definitely not equal choices by a long shot.
Also, if you already go to church every week anyway, you get off completely scott-free, since your "punishment" is to continue doing your normal routine.....
I was wondering about that as well, when they say dismissed they don't mean "time served" do they? So there's no record of it happening at all? That's scary, very scary. And the whole point of jail is to be taken OUT OF SOCIETY and rehabilitated (not that they do much rehabilitation, but that's the idea!). If you're walking around free, that's not even remotely equal to serving a jail sentence. I could see maybe, MAYBE going to church in lieu of a fine, but even still it's unconsitutional.
Also, there's no need to be snarky. Emily made her point in a reasonable manner and apologized if she even seemed heated as it was a subject that hit home with her. There's no need for sarcasm.
While I was sarcastic in another post, I was not sarcastic in my reply to her 
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:25 AM |
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LeShellem
A new beginning
Member since 2/07 3600 total posts
Name:
LeShelle
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Minority hear, but I think its a great idea. Funny how people are in an uproar over "making" someone go to church and not that they committed a crime in the first place. Our priorities are really screwed. I mean didn't Jesus himself surround himself with tax collectors, prostitutes and thieves, yet people are worried about someone who didn't pay their parking tickets going to the same church as them? Really? This is what bothers you. So much for love thy neighbor.
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:31 AM |
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emilylives
biking
Member since 12/09 2163 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time
Posted by LeShellem
Minority hear, but I think its a great idea. Funny how people are in an uproar over "making" someone go to church and not that they committed a crime in the first place. Our priorities are really screwed. I mean didn't Jesus himself surround himself with tax collectors, prostitutes and thieves, yet people are worried about someone who didn't pay their parking tickets going to the same church as them? Really? This is what bothers you. So much for love thy neighbor.
I think for most people, the issue is favoring the religious over the non-religious by giving an option that fits with some people's beliefs and not with others. In terms of being in an "uproar," I certainly think that it makes more sense to be upset about and questioning whether our government is abiding by the constitution than about a citizen who isn't paying his/her parking tickets.
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| Posted 9/27/11 9:36 AM |
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