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

I hope this gets a ton of attention.

[QUOTE=Cone;32505890]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.[/QUOTE] Same could be said for any religious persecution in history then, you don't [I]need[/I] to actually abbandon your religion, just act like you did. Even though it might work, it's still discriminatory, oppressive and wrong. A Christian can just go do what he does every Sunday, anyone who isn't is pretty much told it's either that or jail.

Again, I must apologize for my state. Bay Minette is a shit hole, however

Fuck that state, fuck those judges. I hope hell comes their way, religious people always find some way to try and force their religion down people's throats.

[QUOTE=acds;32506114]Same could be said for any religious persecution in history then, you don't [I]need[/I] to actually abbandon your religion, just act like you did. Even though it might work, it's still discriminatory, oppressive and wrong. A Christian can just go do what he does every Sunday, anyone who isn't is pretty much told it's either that or jail.[/QUOTE] How exactly is it "oppresive"? I think it's a good step forward that they're trying to rehabilitate rather than just lock up people. I can see how it seems like a special get out of jail free card fro Christians, but: [QUOTE=Cone;32503910]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] [editline]27th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Cadaver;32506242]Fuck that state, fuck those judges. I hope hell comes their way, religious people always find some way to try and force their religion down people's throats.[/QUOTE] Anti-religion bandwagon, ho! Do you not see the irony in saying a religion is wrong because they say other religions are wrong?

fuck et-

[QUOTE=Karmah;32498921]I'd choose jail, fuck that shit. Unless I can go to church and sleep[/QUOTE] Or bring your mobile device and headphones.

[QUOTE=Cone;32503910]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] Christians are regular people they're not well-behaved special flowers despite perpetuating that image.

[QUOTE=Venezuelan;32508879]Christians are regular people they're not well-behaved special flowers despite perpetuating that image.[/QUOTE] Right, and normal people don't go around shoplifting. Edit: And besides, if they wre Christian they'd still be going to the church to confess, or else they wouldn't be Christian.

[QUOTE=Cone;32508909]Right, and normal people don't go around shoplifting.[/QUOTE] You missed my point entirely. If you look at the criminals' religious affiliations, and the overall affiliations of the area, I'm willing to bet they'll be roughly equivalent.

[QUOTE=Venezuelan;32508946]You missed my point entirely. If you look at the criminals' religious affiliations, and the overall affiliations of the area, I'm willing to bet they'll be roughly equivalent.[/QUOTE] Right, but my second point still stands. And I'm fairly certain that's the same everywhere there's crime, so what's your point?

[QUOTE=Cone;32509029]Right, but my second point still stands. And I'm fairly certain that's the same everywhere there's crime, so what's your point?[/QUOTE] You said if they're christian they wouldn't be breaking the law and i said that's ridiculous, that's my point.

[QUOTE=Venezuelan;32509095]You said if they're christian they wouldn't be breaking the law and i said that's ridiculous, that's my point.[/QUOTE] Ah yes. Sorry, I just suffered a brain fart and forgot. My second point still stands, though.

The issue with this is there is no alternative to church, jail time, or a fine. If church is an option why not just community service? Why not something completely different? Church is just an excuse for the state to not pay for him in jail. Seperation of Church and State.

[QUOTE=Chernobyl426;32509148]The issue with this is there is no alternative to church, jail time, or a fine. If church is an option why not just community service? Why not something completely different? Church is just an excuse for the state to not pay for him in jail. Seperation of Church and State.[/QUOTE] I'm not sure if I'd say it's an excuse not to pay, but I do agree it should be community serivce instead. It's got all the benefits of church, just without the religious stigma. That's why I think we should stop tearing at them just because they're religious. If they weren't trying to do any good, then I could understand that, but they are trying to help and they're not forcing anything.

I'm going to play devil's advocate and say I wouldn't mind so long as the offender got to pick the type of church. IE: He can go to a Islamic mosque, a Christian church, a Jewish Temple, or any other type of church of any other faith. I guess it's still unconstitutional to promote faith, but as long as all faiths were available to pick from, I wouldn't mind personally. The reason I wouldn't mind, would be because it's not exactly promoting anyone faith, thus it's not trying to pursue a national religion. If they supplied a similar option for non religious people, then this wouldn't even be a big deal to me at all. They need to figure out creative solutions for non violent offenders. Please don't kill me facepunch.

[QUOTE=Cone;32509140]My second point still stands, though.[/QUOTE] I know christians who don't follow anything preached, but are still firm believers. [editline]27th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Cone;32509300]That's why I think we should stop tearing at them just because they're religious. If they weren't trying to do any good, then I could understand that, but they are trying to help and they're not forcing anything.[/QUOTE] We can because they aren't supposed to favour religion, it's unconstitutional and doesn't offer any benefits to society apart from maybe strengthening religious beliefs.

[QUOTE=RAG Frag;32509370]I know christians who don't follow anything preached, but are still firm believers.[/QUOTE] And I'm sure these people wouldn't want to shoplift?

[QUOTE=Cone;32509434]And I'm sure these people wouldn't want to shoplift?[/QUOTE] They prefer drug use, assault and piracy

[QUOTE=Funcoot;32509337]I'm going to play devil's advocate and say I wouldn't mind so long as the offender got to pick the type of church. IE: He can go to a Islamic mosque, a Christian church, a Jewish Temple, or any other type of church of any other faith. I guess it's still unconstitutional to promote faith, but as long as all faiths were available to pick from, I wouldn't mind personally. The reason I wouldn't mind, would be because it's not exactly promoting anyone faith, thus it's not trying to pursue a national religion. If they supplied a similar option for non religious people, then this wouldn't even be a big deal to me at all. They need to figure out creative solutions for non violent offenders. Please don't kill me facepunch.[/QUOTE] The problem is that the scope of their choices is limited by what churches are available in a small town in Alabama, because I doubt they can afford/the state would pay to drive to another town every Sunday. That and there isn't really an equivalent to a house of worship for atheists, humanists, etc. so it represents in a vague sense the state saying "Be Religious or Go To Jail." which is some pretty theocratic stuff.

[QUOTE=Cone;32509434]And I'm sure these people wouldn't want to shoplift?[/QUOTE] you act like a devout christian is literally incapable of criminal activity.

[QUOTE=SgtCr4zyGunz;32509689]you act like a devout christian is literally incapable of criminal activity.[/QUOTE] Well, I've never commited a crime worth jail time for, or even a fine. What, am I the only person here who doesn't regularly shoplift?

Using the legal system to force people to choose between church and jail? Yeah, that's about the most blatantly unconstitutional thing I've ever seen. I wonder if some smartass asked if he could go to a mosque instead.

Yup jail it is!

[QUOTE=SilentOpp;32498856]They are non-violent crimes though. I'm almost okay with this. I mean, it is an option. If they offered the same kind of option for people that don't believe in any religion, I would be absolutely fine with it.[/QUOTE] I waters down the punishment?

I live about 4 hours from this place time to get some free tv's huehuehuehuehuehue

[QUOTE=Cadaver;32506242][B]Fuck[/B] that state, fuck those judges. I hope hell comes their way, religious people always find some way to try and force their religion down people's throats.[/QUOTE] Hey can i demonstrate on you how to tie a noose?

[QUOTE=Cone;32509712]Well, I've never commited a crime worth jail time for, or even a fine. What, am I the only person here who doesn't regularly shoplift?[/QUOTE] you do know that amongst criminals in jail, more of them are religious than atheists, right? They're not all atheists you know. Religion has little to do with whether you commit crimes or not.

[QUOTE=DanRatherman;32505150]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.[/QUOTE] So I ask again If one town decided to ban guns would you get upset?

[QUOTE=Zeke129;32514665]So I ask again If one town decided to ban guns would you get upset?[/QUOTE] i would reload