Jesus or jail? Alabama town offers options for serving time - Polidicks

I honestly do not see the big deal in this. It's not like you'd be a brainwashed zombie upon exiting the church, nor is the religion really forced on you - you've got a choice, and it's not like you even have to listen. Just go there, what's the big deal? Go there, sit down, tune out and daydream for a few hours, and bam, you're out and you're still an Atheist/Agnostic. How is that forcing the religion on you? They won't mind. Granted, I can see a lot of criminals getting out this way. I guess that anyone who commits the crime will come from the town anyway, won't they? Perhaps that's what they're going for.

[QUOTE=TheTalon;32501508]Well so is a court ordering you to go to Alcoholics Anonymous (since a step to pass requires you to accept God and shit) but that doesn't stop them either It's so stupid[/QUOTE] I know someone who took a similar program You have to accept a power higher than yourself, which can count the court that put you there, the laws of physics, whatever you want to pick The reasoning being if you were your own universe's ultimate power you wouldn't have to be there in the first place

[QUOTE=Zeke129;32502599]I know someone who took a similar program You have to accept a power higher than yourself, which can count the court that put you there, the laws of physics, whatever you want to pick The reasoning being if you were your own universe's ultimate power you wouldn't have to be there in the first place[/QUOTE] Never said you have to believe - only that you attend.

Freedom with a slight chance of brainwash, or limited freedom but still keep your right of mind?

[QUOTE=Gekkosan;32502550]So even after 18 years you are still a nasty criminal who doesn't change?[/QUOTE]Yes :v:

[QUOTE=dass;32503228]Yes :v:[/QUOTE] Then you "need Jesus" per se. [QUOTE=DaBigManZM;32502824]Freedom with a slight chance of brainwash, or limited freedom but still keep your right of mind?[/QUOTE] Pretty sure they try to encourage prisoners to some more or less religious rehab sessions while in prison anyway. It's really beneficial to some people..

What if the convict is jewish or a moslim? Shouldn't they be treathed equally?

[QUOTE=DaBigManZM;32502824]Freedom with a slight chance of brainwash, or limited freedom but still keep your right of mind?[/QUOTE] If you're so secure in your beliefs that you'd call it brainwashing, I doubt you'd even listen. Just pull up a seat in the back, hum a song, and think about what you're going to do with the rest of the evening. You're there entirely of your own choice, and you can still choose whether or not to listen, convert yourself, or take in the information you are being given. Why is this so difficult to understand? [editline]27th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=MisterSjeiks;32503695]What if the convict is jewish or a moslim? Shouldn't they be treathed equally?[/QUOTE] I'm sure there's alternatives available. And, again, it's not like you need to listen. If you're so strong in your beliefs that everyone else is wrong, don't go.

What if the criminal is a devote christian and already goes to church every weekend? Brilliant, it'd be just like walking free for them.

[QUOTE=jimhowl33t;32503841]What if the criminal is a devote christian and already goes to church every weekend? Brilliant, it'd be just like walking free for them.[/QUOTE] If they were a devout Christian, they would either not commit the crime in the first place or see going to church to confess as paying for their sins. Either way, a Christian won't just walk free.

[QUOTE=Gekkosan;32503234] Pretty sure they try to encourage prisoners to some more or less religious rehab sessions while in prison anyway. It's really beneficial to some people..[/QUOTE] Mhmm just like religious programs can cure homosexuality.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;32502599]You have to accept a power higher than yourself, which can count the court that put you there, the laws of physics, whatever you want to pick[/QUOTE] In that case I pick [url=http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Disco_Jesus]Disco Jesus[/url]. [img]http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060411210039/uncyclopedia/images/5/50/Discojesusandthedisciples.jpg[/img] I mean look at his followers, they look like they've got everything figured out.

[QUOTE=Gekkosan;32503234]Then you "need Jesus" per se.[/QUOTE] He sure didn't help me through every sunday till I was 18.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;32498692]Pretty sure this is unconstitutional[/QUOTE]Isn't it? What was that about "separation of church and state?"

[QUOTE=Glitch360;32498887]Half an hour? Church sessions are usually 1-2 1/2 hours long[/QUOTE] Not if you're my mom. She goes ALL DAY.

[QUOTE=Solo Wing;32504461]Isn't it? What was that about "separation of church and state?"[/QUOTE] According to this thread, the state having church programs doesn't break that at all.

Wouldn't it be far better to offer job training or community service?

[QUOTE=Venezuelan;32503919]Mhmm just like religious programs can cure homosexuality.[/QUOTE] Church could help petty criminals. And I don't meant by turning them into religious people themselves. It would give the person people to talk to who will listen and care about the problems they face, and be willing to forgive them for what they did wrong.

[QUOTE=dogmachines;32505090]Church could help petty criminals. And I don't meant by turning them into religious people themselves. It would give the person people to talk to who will listen and care about the problems they face, and be willing to forgive them for what they did wrong.[/QUOTE] All of these helpful things are available in nonreligious ways.

[QUOTE=Venezuelan;32505101]All of these helpful things are available in nonreligious ways.[/QUOTE] This is true, but why reject it simply because it is religion if it can be just as helpful?(constitutional issues aside)

[QUOTE=Zeke129;32498934]Something tells me you wouldn't be so willing to play fast and loose with the constitution if it was the 2nd amendment being messed with[/QUOTE] I hardly understand the connotation, are you implying I'm a gun-nut, or that I'm somehow derisive of the First Amendment? I remind you I am a strong believer in separation of church and state, I just happen to think that in the case of this one bum-fuck-nowhere Alabama town it's not so much an issue if they pawn off volunteer services to the local Jesus & Co. If this was some universally adopted law I'd be against it with immense fervor, but as far as I'm concerned it's just one town's slightly misguided attempt at rehabilitation.

Surely some sort of community service would be the better option if there are concerns of it being unconstitutional? It keeps them out of jail, thus saving the town/county money from housing and feeding them. tbh, i dont even understand why jail is even an option for a misdemeanor. atleast for most of them anyway

I'd resist arrest.

[QUOTE=Glitch360;32498887]Half an hour? Church sessions are usually 1-2 1/2 hours long[/QUOTE] Where are you getting that. They are more like 30-45 mins

[QUOTE=Bad)-(and;32505154]Surely some sort of community service would be the better option if there are concerns of it being unconstitutional? It keeps them out of jail, thus saving the town/county money from housing and feeding them. tbh, i dont even understand why jail is even an option for a misdemeanor. atleast for most of them anyway[/QUOTE] This is just as helpful, though. I think putting the idea past them wouldn't be too bad a plan, just that we shouldn't really be tearing into them for a misguided attempt at rehabilitation.

What a load of shit. What if someone is not Christian? You [B]are[/B] forcing people to be Christian ("Either be Christian or go to jail" isn't giving a fair choice). Also notice that it's not community service, it's strictly Christian prayer and religious work, I thought we stopped mixing religion with justice a long time ago for good reasons. I can bet my ass if there was a Mosque they wouldn't allow you to go there instead, in one way or another.

[QUOTE=Cone;32505772]This is just as helpful, though. I think putting the idea past them wouldn't be too bad a plan, just that we shouldn't really be tearing into them for a misguided attempt at rehabilitation.[/QUOTE] Don't get me wrong. I'm for it if it helps. [I]If[/I]. I just don't see religion being very rehabilitory. I think a community order would have a better effect. I still don't understand why jail time is a considered option though.

[QUOTE=acds;32505832]What a load of shit. What if someone is not Christian? You [B]are[/B] forcing people to be Christian ("Either be Christian or go to jail" isn't giving a fair choice). Also notice that it's not community service, it's strictly Christian prayer and religious work, I thought we stopped mixing religion with justice a long time ago for good reasons. I can bet my ass if there was a Mosque they wouldn't allow you to go there instead, in one way or another.[/QUOTE] Again, you don't [I]need[/I] to listen. Just show up, sit in the back, and tune out for an hour or so. The point isn't that they make you Christian, but that they instill the base aspects of it in you - be kind, compassionate, and seek to forgive rather than to be forgiven. Until Christians act stupid or intolerant, I see no problem with it if it teaches people these things. If they aren't doing harm, just leave 'em be.

I would choose church. After all, I've been doing it for about 16 years anyway.

What if someone were to start their own church? Or what about Satanist churches? Seems pretty easy to get around it, unless they force you to be a Christian, which is probably unconstitutional.