As quick as I am to point out the apostasy in the Christian world, and I am also quick to point the errors that are sometimes made in our courts.
The Story via The Blaze:
An Oklahoma teenager In Muskogee, Oklahoma, who pleaded guilty in the tragic death of another teen has been given an interesting sentence: 10 years of church attendance in exchange for not heading to prison. The defendant, Tyler Alred, 17, is not fighting a judge’s mandate, as his lawyer deems the decision both fair and appropriate.
“My client goes to church every Sunday,” attorney Donn Baker told Tulsa World. “That isn’t going to be a problem for him. We certainly want the probation for him.”
The problem?
This:
Some experts have contended that mandating church attendance creates a separation of church and state issue. In addition to going to church, Alred will need to wear an ankle bracelet to monitor his alcohol intake, speak at events about the negative results of drinking and driving, finish high school and go for counseling. Additionally, he will undergo drug tests.
…and you know what? The experts here are absolutely correct. This is nothing more than an imposition of theocratic law. Which is why the Puritans fled England, because theocratic law was being imposed upon them. This kid should be sentenced to a juvenile detention facility, and when he is 18 years old, he should be transferred to a prison to serve out the remainder of his term. Obviously, this kid comes from a well-to-do family and was able to get good legal representation. Because if this were any other person, they would be going to juvenile, and then to prison.
To those who would try to argue that the separation of Church and State does not exist. I am well aware that it does not exist in the Constitution; but merely the Constitution, under the first amendment protects us from Government established religion. However, Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists was clear:
Gentlemen
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.
Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.
In this case, the wall was breeched and the First Amendment was totally violated. Because of this; as a Conservative Christian and as a Constitutional Conservative do not support this one iota. We are a Constitutional Republic, and not a Christian theocracy. I wonder what Mr. Brayton would think about me writing this? Me? A “Wingnut?” It depends on the definition of the term. If being one of those, is someone who believes that this punishment was justly fit, I am not one of those. Nor will I ever be.
Also too, could you imagine the outrage, if this kid had been sentenced to attend a Mosque for killing a Muslim or for defacing a Mosque? The usual suspects would be screaming from the rafters! …and rightly so too. You simply cannot use religion as a sentence for the commission of a crime and maintain that wall that Thomas Jefferson spoke of, it cannot be done.