Atrios is unhappy with faith-based prisons.
I don't see a problem here. Prisons and religions are a natural marriage.
The [recently filed law]suits also say the privileges given to InnerChange participants amount to incentives to convert to fundamentalist Christianity.
Like you think the compliant inmates actually believe? They want the benefits.
Most inmates at Iowa's Newton Correctional Facility live three to a cell and have no privacy, even when they use the toilet. But if they agree to immerse themselves in Bible study and "the transforming love of Jesus Christ," according to two lawsuits filed yesterday, they are given keys to their cell doors, private bathrooms, free phone calls -- even access to big-screen TVs.
...about 200 Iowa prisoners pray and memorize Bible verses under the guidance of Christian staff in prison rooms lined with displays of scripture passages. In return, they live in an "honor" unit where they are housed two to a cell, permitted to leave their cells at night and granted many other privileges.
This simply shines a very focused light on the strong-arm tactics and whoring of religion.
And just what fundamental religions need - more criminals. There's a study out there somewhere that the most heinous crimes are committed by people with the strictest fundamental backgrounds. As a matter of fact, I think a recent link I posted, that was a bit over the top, nevertheless had a list of some of the worst criminals on record all claiming to be "born again Christians".
Besides, the coercion practiced here is a whole lot better than the Catholics who converted natives by chopping off body parts and reformed "witches" by drowning them.
Maybe the BushCo idealogues, turning to their faith-based backers, are training their new recruits - an army to rival the Islamic fundamentalists.
Say, that brings to mind the Baptist army chaplain in charge of our Iraqi troops' water supply who traded soldiers a nice bath for a sermon, food and water for a baptism.
Okay. Okay. Half of this post may be sarcasm.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
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