Jesus or Jail?

[DepricatedZero]

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/national/jesus-or-jail-alabama-town-offers-options-for-serving-time

Just found this article, thought I'd bring it to everyone's attention, for those not aware.

Basically, a town in Alabama is giving the option to go to church instead of jail time, for non-violent crimes. This blows my mind. It's depraved, unconstitutional, and obscenely discriminatory. What alternative is offered to an atheist, a jew, a muslim, a buddhist, or any other non-Christian who happens to be caught jay walking?

Jesus or Jail...wow...and this is where it begins.

 

[Thomas Doubting]

Maybe only my opinion.. but I think for an atheist to be forced to go to church is worse than spending the same amount of time in jail.. just like i would prefere jail over a mental house (church is even worse for me, there is nobody controlling the crazies and providing medication)

 

[DepricatedZero]

It seems like being Christian becomes a "get out of jail free" card in this town - almost literally. This is government incentive to convert to Christianity, and a blind eye for Christians, essentially.

 

[Thomas Doubting]

It seems like being Christian becomes a "get out of jail free" card in this town - almost literally. This is government incentive to convert to Christianity, and a blind eye for Christians, essentially.

aka Justicia's one open eye

 

[Demojen]

Three words
Class Action Lawsuit.

 

[ArthurWilborn]

I don't actually think this is too bad.

It gives non-violent criminals a chance to connect with the community, which is one of the major roles of churches after all. I'm guessing 99%+ of the residents are Christians, so it fits with the tone of the local community. Noone is getting extra punishment, or being compelled against their wishes; I know I'd probably take ten days in lockup rather then 52 sermons. Also, as noted, it saves the taxpayers some money, which sounds good to me.

 

[UrbanMasque]

While you're not forcing someone to do something against their wishes, you're granting a certain group of individuals a right that you might not give to others based on religion. I can only guess that people are "selected" for eligibility based on their community status. If a majority of the community is christian ( I'm also assuming it would have to be to allow something like this to come about), and being a christian didn't deter them from committing the crime in the first place - why would the offender now have some major epiphany after they've been convicted? I see this as a sign of how far right the US has shifted in some places.

Does this exist for any other religious groups?
Does it have to be a church - can I attend a mosque/synagogue instead?
If I commit a misdemeanor and I'm nor from this area, am I still eligible even though I'm not a member of this community?
Do I have to attend a church in Alabama or the local county? Can I serve my sentence at my local church in New York?

 

[Aught3]

So wait, if you are a regular church-goer you now have carte-blanche to commit misdemeanor offenses in this town? Sweet deal.

 

[ArthurWilborn]

While you're not forcing someone to do something against their wishes, you're granting a certain group of individuals a right that you might not give to others based on religion. I can only guess that people are "selected" for eligibility based on their community status. If a majority of the community is christian ( I'm also assuming it would have to be to allow something like this to come about), and being a christian didn't deter them from committing the crime in the first place - why would the offender now have some major epiphany after they've been convicted? I see this as a sign of how far right the US has shifted in some places.

How would they have an epiphany going to jail? Jail is highly ineffective as a deterrent. At best, it's a place to isolate people from the community; which is probably not what you want to do with first time non-violent offenders.

Generally out-of-towners who commit minor misdemeanors get a fine; it saves everyone some headaches.

Does this exist for any other religious groups?
Does it have to be a church - can I attend a mosque/synagogue instead?

There are no mosques or synagogues in the area, which is why I can assume the place is fairly monocultural. It certainly wouldn't work on a larger scale, or a more cosmopolitan place. For one small town, it could work.

 

[)O( Hytegia )O(]

I'm waiting for that ONE Satanist/Pagan/Buddhist/Atheist/Muslim in the area to get boxed for a misdemeanor, and be required to go to church.
There's always that one.

 

[Squawk]

Give me the option of going to church or to jail and I'm off to church. Easy choice, you'd seriously rather go to jail?

That said, what a load of shite, no way this is going to be enforceable. Ignoring all other concerns, it's discriminatory against anyone of another faith. The only people who can use this are Christians and atheists (or other religious who don't actually give a shit about religion and have no compunction about sitting in mass, pseudo atheists if you will).

 

[)O( Hytegia )O(]

Give me the option of going to church or to jail and I'm off to church. Easy choice, you'd seriously rather go to jail?

That said, what a load of shite, no way this is going to be enforceable. Ignoring all other concerns, it's discriminatory against anyone of another faith. The only people who can use this are Christians and atheists (or other religious who don't actually give a shit about religion and have no compunction about sitting in mass, pseudo atheists if you will).

*cough*
It's Southern Baptist. Any Atheist or any other person from any other religion would have a harsh time sitting in a Southern Baptist sermon. The south has little-to-none Catholic influence.
Nothing like being screamed at about being condemned for 2 hours to make a grown man ill.
Besides, what's keeping someone from just doing what I did for the longest? - Going to the head, and then not returning until a little after the closing prayer. Yeah, especially when my parent's ULTRA RELIGIOSITY kicked in just after the DEMON WORSHIP CHILD spat. Damn, I loved the empty back room I would just kick my legs up and chill in.

Que sura. Sura.

 

[Squawk]

You can preach at me for 5 hours per day if you want, it's preferable than being locked up.

 

[Thomas Doubting]

You can preach at me for 5 hours per day if you want, it's preferable than being locked up.

If the difference is that if you choose jail you stay there for the entire sentence at once and if you choose church you can go there like.. few times per week for few hours.. then i'd pick church myself, but then it definitely isn't just.
If not, in my book a few hours locked up in a cell beats being exposed to delusional blather for the same time, anytime.
Its not like you can leave the church whenever you want.. so the difference is pretty much only that you have to put up with some guy talking crap.

 

[PatrickTheScienceGuy]

to be honest i'd rather go to the church. gives an opportunity to scrutinize them. also YOU DON'T HAVE TO SERVE TIME!!! i mean you can live normally, and only have to give up sunday morning, or whatever, basically you get away with the crime. (Y)