Denis Loubet wrote:

"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:3g3ga2Fa9rnhU1@individual.net...

Alternative sentencing is popular across the country - ordering vandals
to
repaint a graffiti-covered wall, for example. But legal experts said they
didn't know of any other judges who give the option of attending church.

I guess other judges aren't as much of a jerkoff as this piece of *****.

As if church is a "punishment" of some sort. Well, I've been to church on
several occasions. It is like nails across a chalkboard, so I guess I can
see that. ;-)

Caperton has offered the option about 50 times to repeat drug and alcohol
offenders. It is unclear what effect the sentence has had.

I bet it hasn't worked.

"It is unclear" is code for "it hasn't."

"The judge is saying that those willing to go to worship services can
avoid
jail in the same way that those who decline to go cannot," Friedman said.
"That strays from government neutrality towards religion."

The state saying "Prison or Church" is pretty fucking obvious.

I'd would personally be opting for rehab, thankyouverymuch :P

Indeed.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Would this constitute as "free exercise thereof"?

Denis Loubet wrote:

"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote:

Judge Gives Offenders Option of Church

A Kentucky judge has been offering some drug and alcohol offenders the
option of attending worship services instead of going to jail or
rehab - a
practice some say violates the separation of church and state.

Abso-frickin-lutely! How could it not?

District Judge Michael Caperton, 50, a devout Christian, said his goal
is
to "help people and their families."

By forcing his religion upon them. Wonderful.

"I don't think there's a church-state issue, because it's not mandatory
and I say worship services instead of church," he said.

This pathetically obvious ***** is a judge?

Gee... pagan fertility rituals or jail.
Seems like a no-brainer to me. ;-)

MarkA wrote:

On Tue, 31 May 2005 12:05:13 -0400, Robibnikoff wrote:

Judge Gives Offenders Option of Church 2 hours, 41 minutes ago

A Kentucky judge has been offering some drug and alcohol offenders the
option of attending worship services instead of going to jail or rehab -
a practice some say violates the separation of church and state.

District Judge Michael Caperton, 50, a devout Christian, said his goal is
to "help people and their families."

"I don't think there's a church-state issue, because it's not mandatory
and I say worship services instead of church," he said.

Alternative sentencing is popular across the country - ordering vandals
to repaint a graffiti-covered wall, for example. But legal experts said
they didn't know of any other judges who give the option of attending
church.

Caperton has offered the option about 50 times to repeat drug and alcohol
offenders. It is unclear what effect the sentence has had.

David Friedman, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of
Kentucky, said the option raises "serious constitutional problems."

"The judge is saying that those willing to go to worship services can
avoid jail in the same way that those who decline to go cannot," Friedman
said. "That strays from government neutrality towards religion."

I'd would personally be opting for rehab, thankyouverymuch :P

I'd SAY I was going to church, but go drinking instead. They don't take
attendance, do they?

Don't they stamp your hand or something? Y'know, a bright red "God"
stamped on the back of your hand that won't come off with soap and
water? ;-)

MarkA wrote:

On Tue, 31 May 2005 12:05:13 -0400, Robibnikoff wrote:

Judge Gives Offenders Option of Church 2 hours, 41 minutes ago

A Kentucky judge has been offering some drug and alcohol offenders the
option of attending worship services instead of going to jail or rehab - a
practice some say violates the separation of church and state.

District Judge Michael Caperton, 50, a devout Christian, said his goal is
to "help people and their families."

"I don't think there's a church-state issue, because it's not mandatory
and I say worship services instead of church," he said.

Alternative sentencing is popular across the country - ordering vandals to
repaint a graffiti-covered wall, for example. But legal experts said they
didn't know of any other judges who give the option of attending church.

Caperton has offered the option about 50 times to repeat drug and alcohol
offenders. It is unclear what effect the sentence has had.

David Friedman, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of
Kentucky, said the option raises "serious constitutional problems."

"The judge is saying that those willing to go to worship services can
avoid jail in the same way that those who decline to go cannot," Friedman
said. "That strays from government neutrality towards religion."

I'd would personally be opting for rehab, thankyouverymuch :P

I'd SAY I was going to church, but go drinking instead. They don't take
attendance, do they?

Don't they stamp your hand or something? Y'know, a bright red "God"
stamped on the back of your hand that won't come off with soap and
water? ;-)