Sunday, December 21, 2008

Freedom of Religion Not an Issue If Christianity Isn't Involved?

In an earlier post I discussed the Massachusetts Bay Colony, separation of church and state and freedom of religion. At the time of that post a story that concerns the latter topic was unfolding in Georgia. In my home state court policies apparently prohibit the wearing of headgear in the courtroom, supposedly for security reasons. A young Muslim woman was refused entrance to a courtroom because of her hijab.

She apparently never tried to forcibly enter the courtroom, but spoke an expletive, when told she had to remove her headgear. She was handcuffed and taken in front of the judge, who sentenced her to ten days in jail for contempt. Although she was strip searched and jailed, she was released before the day was over. Exactly, why she was arrested and held in contempt is unclear. If I had to guess, it would be because she was black and a Muslim.

This isn't the first time this type of incident has happened in Georgia and it hasn't happened only to Muslims, but also to Jews. The ACLU is looking at it. Bob Barr the Republican, turned Libertarian has also spoken out. It is a freedom of religion issue, but I haven't heard a single outcry from the "War on Christmas" folks.

If the judge had told a Christian that crosses weren't allowed to be worn, because they could be used as a weapon, the cry of foul would have echoed across the land like thunder. Comedians O'Reilly, Hannity, and Limbaugh would have been incensed. Christian groups would be protesting at the Capitol. Every fundamentalist pulpit would be ranting this morning. The "secular progressive" devils (liberals) would be behind it all, and the world would be coming to an end any day now.

Not a peep. All is quiet and all is well, except of course, for the all important and continuing "war" on Christmas. I suppose that freedom of religion isn't really an issue in this country after all, unless, of course, it involves Christians.

4 comments:

Doug B said...

I saw that. Seems these stories just don't merit much attention in this Christian nation of ours.

Lou said...

Hey GMM,
Have a wonderful holiday!

That Baptist Ain't Right said...

The attorney general has referred the judge from Douglas County to the "ethics board" & that judge, along with the police in Douglas County, are taking "sensitivity" classes. Perhaps classes on the 1st Amendment would have been better suited for their deficiencies, but that's just me.

BTW, "cialis" is not the verification word or me --- I think maybe blogspot is trying to tell you sumpin'.

foxofbama said...

Want to wish you a Happy New Year, and Baptist Aint Right as well.
BAR; you must read Nussbaum's Book on Liberty in New Year with the tribute to Roger Williams.
And on the religion question Gus Niebuhr's Beyond Tolerance is a Must Read for the Both of you.
GMM; Looking to see a blog from you as you go through Serena. Have had two conversations with Rash recently. He's becoming more and more a force.
Honestly, you should get the folks in Hayesville to have him do a reading there in the Playhouse behind Truett Memorial.
Keep me posted if you act on that.
Your gonna love McIntyre in the Novel.

We'll be chattin in 09

Sfox