I shall be released (if I pray to Jesus, that is)

The New York Times reports that numerous federally-funded programs make prison privileges contingent on baa-ing the right words in a Christianist flock:



As Lambert at Correntewire puts it:



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Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

The only thing I look for in a prison program is the rate of recidivism. If latching onto a religion means that it changes a life in a way that keeps that person from committing more crime, I don't see the harm.

Your objection seems to be that this preferential treatment is only available to people in this program, but better treatment in jail needs to be earned. I agree that it you shouldn't HAVE to adhere to any specific religion and that the opportunity should be open to all prisoners who wish to earn these privileges. But, there seems to be a lack of secular outside programs that would take on this level of responsibility and monitoring for inmates.

As a daughter and sister of two women who routinely give up time to minister to prison inmates, I ask when was the last time you joined a group of people to visit a prison and spread a little hope and encouragement? If the current system is unacceptable to you, please help set-up a different one that addresses your concerns. Maybe you can use this forum as a launching pad.

I don't know what Rev. Moon has to do with Christian jail programs. I consider your use of that quotation as a red herring and fear baiting.

But isnt the issue here the longstanding divide between church operations and the US Taxpayer ? ....

There is nothing to stop churchs and/or religious groups from forming such treatment organizations on their own, un-taxed dime, provided through the graces of their deity in their cause ... But why MUST we permit that wall of separation between church and state to crumble just for the sake of a few thousand convicts ? ...

Surely, prison ministries, being compelled by the spirit which drives them, would find absolute success without the need of taxpayer revenues ... After all : What is more powerful ? ; The word of Christ?, or the filthy lucre of men ? ....

Yea Verily; We are glad that repeat offenders are 'saved' from the commission of crimes and might benefit from these programs, but considering these efforts should be just as effective WITHOUT public monies, due especially to the divine power that lies behind them, then why should the public divy up the public fund ? ... Dont the churches have the money themselves ? .... Isnt the spirit enough wealth for this cause ?

One might say that execution reduces recidivism to absolute zero, so is it not therefore the PERFECT program against repeat offenders ? .... According to your argument, reducing recidivism is all that matters, no matter what collateral effects ....

Simply asserting that these programs are good because they reduce repeat offensive is not a good enough argument for breaking the secular traditions of our great republic ....

It isnt good enough reason to break the wall of separation between church and state ....

... I consider your rationalization of destroying the wall between church and state un-American.

Since all that matters to you is reduction of recidivism, are you a big fan of the Ludovico treatment, too?

I look for other things besides reduction of recidivism, such as constitutionality. Fortunately, a few brave judges agree with me.

That said, I'm only human. If the federal government will give me millions of dollars to teach prisoners about the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I'll be right there.

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Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

Matching funds and all that, so long as it is of actual benefit to the inmates. We wouldn't want anyone to think that this is a power grab at the lowest levels.

... here's an example of the imbalance:



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Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

If you read Thich Naht Hahn's "The Path of Emancipation" you will get a good idea of how meditation along with mindfulness of the breath provides quick and startling insight into our emotions, and how to untie them, starting with the strongest items. This works, and it's a great boon to personal growth (and far more).

A Tibetan pointed out that there are two paths.. That of full identification and surrender to the deity of choice, and that of incremental self-awareness and improvement (There is deity practice adn surrender here as well, as part of the practice). The former being difficult to maintain and subject to much razzing if any measure of wobble is detected whatsoever (the number of people who don't want to do the work and want others to fail far outnumber those who take the path, so those who razz and taunt describe themselves far more clearly than those they pick at. Most people don't want to even begin looking at themselves, and as such badly want the path to be found as flawed in some way so that they can rationalize not making the effort).

Who cares if you become a saint, and if you can maintain it or not in this ludicrous world; if you are even trying, more power to you.

http://www.amazon.com/Path-Emancipation-21-Day-Mindfulness-Retreat/dp/1888375159

Nothing against actual, genuine seeking and devotion to Christ or any other positive figure, just against the organizations who are predatory under the guise of good.

That pretty much sums it up. I can't believe tax dollars are going for this tripe.

It's unconstitutional and it's wrong. There is absolutely no alternative path that is either secular or of another religious path. Therefore ALL benefits are only available to those that convert to the approved religion in that prison.

This is so wrong it constitutes a proof of the existence of evil.