Yes, this is what the beginning of a theocracy looks like. A small town in Alabama is forcing individuals charged with misdemeanors to choose between serving time in Jail or time at a Christian only church. Yeah, you read that right.
Starting this week, the city judge [of Bay Minette, Alabama] will implement Operation Restore Our Community (ROC), which gives misdemeanor offenders a choice between fines and jail or a year of Sunday church services. […]
Pastor Robert Gates told WRKG that the program was a win-win for everyone involved.
“You show me somebody who falls in love with Jesus, and I’ll show you a person who won’t be a problem to society,” he said.
ACLU of Alabama director Olivia Turner called the policy “blatantly unconstitutional.”
By the way, no Mosques or Synagogues or other religious groups are included in this program. Only Christan churches. I think these people interpret the Constitution the way they interpret the Bible. In other words, it doesn’t matter what it really says, it only matters what they want it to say.
Oh and Pastor Gates, I know of a lot of people who love Jesus and still cause problems for society. I’d start with you and anyone who shares your implied but misguided belief that only Christians are good people. The church isn’t a cure-all for people misbehaving. I know lot’s of Bible-thumpers who justify beating women if they are married or in a relationship with a woman because God gave Adam authority over Eve, or who claim bullying gay kids is not a bad idea because God hates gays. I even know of a few murderers who justified their acts of terrorism base on their “love of Jesus.” Maybe you haven’t heard of Eric Rudolph or Scott Roeder.
Nah, you know who they are. But hey, they loved Jesus!
