Court rules atheism a religion

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 11:41 pm

LAW OF THE LAND

Court rules atheism a religion

Decides 1st Amendment protects prison inmate's right to start study group

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Posted: August 20, 2005

1:00 a.m. Eastern

Ã‚© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

A federal court of appeals ruled yesterday Wisconsin prison officials violated an inmate's rights because they did not treat atheism as a religion.

"Atheism is religion, and the group that he wanted to start was religious in nature even though it expressly rejects a belief in a supreme being," the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals said.

More:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/artic ... E_ID=45874

Adam Zapple · Post by **Adam Zapple** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 12:56 am

Now what are the gonna talk about in schools. Toss out evolution...it violates the separation clause.:yh_rotfl

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 1:04 am

i have worked corrections...if you only knew the ridiculous concessions depts. of corrections must make to so-called religions of inmates, whose only real religions include armed robbery and sexual battery for starters.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 12:27 pm

The logical progression then, would be the acceptance and protection of those who worship and practice evil.

IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve said for a long time that Atheism is a religion so I suppose that I would also have to say that worshiping evil is religion. That gets us back to the Establishment Clause. Did our founders mean religion in such generic terms? I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t think so. I think that when they used the word Ã¢â‚¬Å“religionÃ¢â‚¬ they meant those religions identifying themselves with the Ten Commandments to which they often referred.

Can government really be all things to all people? Can a nation survive if it doesn't have core values and beliefs other than the idea that freedom means honoring everything?

I can't help myself. I just have to say something. I'm out of control.:yh_hypno

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 12:52 pm

Clint wrote:

I can't help myself. I just have to say something. I'm out of control.:yh_hypno
Yes, Clint...you're obviously WAY out of control, you maniac! :yh_bigsmi

It really is a shame the way we have to make concessions for the criminals. In my mind, once you're in the system, (and you're there because you have been found guilty of a crime) you have renegged your rights. What's next? Someone comes along and claims witchcraft as a religion and they have to be supplied with a means to practice it? If atheism has been deemed a religion, why couldn't witchcraft? Devil worship? What if someone comes along and claims that their religion requires they worship dogs? Would the system have to begin supplying dogs to the inmates?

If it were up to me, prisoners would have the barest essentials only to survive. You've committed a crime, you reneg your rights to any luxury, no matter how small. Including concessions for worship.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 1:16 pm

When I was a junior enlisted aboard ship, the conditions were much worse than any inmate has to put up with today. I wasn't able to have my own room like many prisoners do until I was commissioned. As a senior enlisted I had the luxury of sharing a room with three other men. If I wanted to "go to church" I had my choice of Protestant or Catholic. If I was ashore and Jewish, I could go to the base synagogue if there was one.

If our soldiers can live in tents without air-conditioning, eat MREs and never see their loved ones why not people who have committed a crime? IMO they don't have a right to anything but clothing and food to sustain them while they do the time for the crime....Unless they claim to be innocent of course.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 1:25 pm

You know...I never thought of that. There is something SERIOUSLY wrong with that picture. Our soldiers have worse conditions to live in than the prisoners. How is it that's never occurred to me? THAT'S criminal. :-5

ubetta · Post by **ubetta** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:55 am

Adam Zapple wrote: Now what are the gonna talk about in schools. Toss out evolution...it violates the separation clause.:yh_rotfl

:yh_rotfl This is the stupidest ruling. WTF are these judges doing? So, this was the Court of Appeals...obviously there was a first ruling but this court will not uphold that ruling. I guess it's on to the Supreme Court now... what a friggin' waste of money.

I would have figured this to be in California

but I see it's Wisconsin.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:02 am

:rolleyes: just gets more & more ridiculous

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:02 am

The first amendment to the US Constitution states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dictionary.com defines religion as:

* Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.

* A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

* The life or condition of a person in a religious order.

* A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.

* A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By that last definition, that woman in Texas is in church.

I guess CongressÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ prohibitions from making law donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t extend to the judiciary.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:05 am

How very ironic, Acc...go check out Far's last post in the "Obstacle of an armed citizenry" thread.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:11 am

BabyRider wrote: How very ironic, Acc...go check out Far's last post in the "Obstacle of an armed citizenry" thread.
Yup. We were separated at enlistment.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:39 am

Ive always been a centrist in my political views taking each issue on its own merits but its crap like this thats getting me leaning a little more right these days.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:55 am

As long as theres a Civil Liberties Union theres going to be a wasting of taxpayers dollars.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:02 am

Nomad wrote: As long as theres a Civil Liberties Union theres going to be a wasting of taxpayers dollars.
Unions, politicians. Let's just chuck 'em all and start over.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:31 am

Accountable wrote: Unions, politicians. Let's just chuck 'em all and start over.

Sounds good. How do we start? Who gives up their favorite government program first?

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:40 am

Clint wrote: Sounds good. How do we start? Who gives up their favorite government program first?
I'll go first. Starting Federal? Education, Healthcare, TSA.

NEXT!

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:47 am

Yes, Federal. National Park System. National Public Radio...........Next

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:49 am

FBI....yes. make the feebs go away.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:49 am

Clint wrote: Yes, Federal. National Park System. National Public Radio...........Next
that damned tea tasting committee I heard about ... next

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:54 am

Far Rider wrote: I dont care which one goes first but we need roads and road repair crews... the popsicle man needs to get down my street!

Dont delay my right to the popsicle man!

We need the roads but they don't need a huge federal program to spend the money on administration before anybody gets a chance to turn it into pavement. Local communities pay the taxes, then have to beg the Feds to get some back to fix their streets.

Federal Highway Administration... Next

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:01 am

Federal education grants. Banks'll loan it to ya for next to nothing!

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:01 am

NEA....If your art wont sell, it's not good enough.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:03 am

Clint wrote: NEA....If your art wont sell, it's not good enough.
And if it's not good enough IT AIN'T ART!

ATF. Isn't it right? Alcohol Tobacco & firearms? Where's the connection?

telaquapacky · Post by **telaquapacky** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:34 am

Nomad wrote: Ive always been a centrist in my political views taking each issue on its own merits but its crap like this thats getting me leaning a little more right these days. Atheism is not a religion except when athiests start passing the offering plate and witnessing their faith to others.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:00 am

telaquapacky wrote: Atheism is not a religion except when athiests start passing the offering plate and witnessing their faith to others.
It's not religion unless they want money from you. Got it!

Whatever we can do to get rid of the UN. NEXT!

telaquapacky · Post by **telaquapacky** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:44 am

Accountable wrote: It's not religion unless they want money from you. Got it!

Whatever we can do to get rid of the UN. NEXT!
Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34)

About the UN, He also said, "Blessed be the peacemakers, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:9)

Adam Zapple · Post by **Adam Zapple** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:11 pm

Let's sweep it all out. If it's not a mandated funtion of the federal government per the constitution, abolish it. Send it back to the states where it all belongs.

telaquapacky · Post by **telaquapacky** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:21 pm

Far Rider wrote: The UN is into peace? I thought they had the market on greed!Sure, Rider. People sometimes judge us Americans on one or two bad moves by our government and lose sight of what we're about too.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:41 pm

Adam Zapple wrote: Let's sweep it all out. If it's not a mandated funtion of the federal government per the constitution, abolish it. Send it back to the states where it all belongs.
I'm ready. It needs to be done. How do we get started?

telaquapacky · Post by **telaquapacky** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:27 pm

Clint wrote: I'm ready. It needs to be done. How do we get started?Join the North American Religious Liberty Association. Here's their website:

http://capwiz.com/narla/issues/bills/?bill=2678741

Subscribe to Liberty Magazine- you can read some articles at their website.

http://www.libertymagazine.org/

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:21 pm

telaquapacky wrote: About the UN, He also said, "Blessed be the peacemakers, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:9)
Nah. He said that about peacemakers.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:22 pm

Adam Zapple wrote: Let's sweep it all out. If it's not a mandated funtion of the federal government per the constitution, abolish it. Send it back to the states where it all belongs.
NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:16 pm

I always thought that ath;eism was a form of religion. Now it is certain. LOL

Shalom

Ted:-6

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:19 pm

That must apply to agnostics too

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:31 pm

nvalleyvee:-6

What a neat idea. Perhaps someone will take that to court as well.

Shalom

Ted:-6

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:42 pm

Ted wrote: nvalleyvee:-6

What a neat idea. Perhaps someone will take that to court as well.

Shalom

Ted:-6

I am waiting for the time when a person's belief is said to reside in their soul, heart or mind. I get very upset being told I need to accept one way or another. I am a good person - I may disagree with others but I have never denigrated another's belief. Our belief is what keeps us special. That statement can apply to religion, politics, love and etc. When you lay down at night - who are you in your heart. Are you satisfied with the way you lived the day? If you are satisfied with the way you lived that day then go to bed satisfied - if not - get up the next day and change it.

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:49 pm

maybe neighborhood watch captain..........

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:51 pm

nvalleyvee:-6

I can agree with that completely.

Shalom

Ted:-6

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:53 pm

Thanks Flop and Ted - I just do not know what the BIG fight is about. I really do believe we have a place within ourselves that makes us kindred with everyone else on this planet.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:55 pm

nvalleyvee:-6

I believe that you are quite correct in that . No disagreement here.

Shalom

Ted:-6