WTF? Religious discrimination in the courts

[Ghoulish Delight]

How the hell did this drop out of the news? An offhand comment in an editorial piece lead me to do a google search, which brought up this story.

An Indianapolis father is appealing a Marion County judge's unusual order that prohibits him and his ex-wife from exposing their child to "non-mainstream religious beliefs and rituals."

Both parents are Wiccan.

My first question: What the hell is wrong with this judge? That's so absurdly wrong it's disgusting.

My second question (which has an answer): Why has there been not a peep about this since the end of May? Where are the reports of appeals (which most certainly happened)? Where's the story about the sane judge who overturns this stupidity? The answer, of course, is that it's Wicca so no one cares. Sad, but true.

[Prudence]

I agree with the quoted law professor: blatantly unconstitutional.

The obvious argument to make, should either parent ever be charged with violation, is that Wicca is mainstream. The little side note says 50,000 Americans are Wiccan, but I can't imagine the number is that low. Heck, the Army recognizes it. I'd love some reliable numbers comparing numbers of Wiccans to, say, Free Methodist, Missouri synod Lutherans, Chuch of the Brethren, or other smaller groups. I'm sure they'd love to hear that they're potentially objectionable.

[SacTown Chronic]

The parents practice Wicca, a contemporary pagan religion that emphasizes a balance in nature and reverence for the earth.

Well no wonder the judge went SuperFreak on those heathens. There's no place in America for people with a "reverence for the earth". We could kick the earth's ass in like a week, ten days tops.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Prudence

The little side note says 50,000 Americans are Wiccan, but I can't imagine the number is that low.

It's MUCH higher than that, mainly known within our community. Most Wiccans/Pagans can't come out of the "broom closet" (we seriously call it that), out of fear of discrimination, which DOES happen all the time.

People persecute our religion quite often, and sometimes very dramatically. Just two years ago, a group decided to "invade" and protest at an Ostara (Spring Equinox) ritual in Lancaster, CA. They drove their trucks up to the worship site and started blaring Christian music and reading loudly from the bible and harassing attendees.

The best was when a lone man decided to carry a very large banner with a bible verse and parade through our Los Angeles Pagan Pride Day event in the fall. About 1,200 people attended, and he was walking through in quiet protest, bible tucked under his arm. We didn't yell or scream at him, nor ask him to leave. Instead, about 100 of us gathered for a group photo with him and then gave him hugs.

Sadly, some people feel it's appropriate to barge in on another faith's worship services and activities, and let 'em know that "Jebus doesn't think it's right."

I have yet to see a Wiccan group storm a church in such fashion.

[Nephythys]

I swear to god.....that is not even worth the effort to roll ones eyes.

Odd- I would think you would need evidence that the child is beng harmed before you could court order them in such a way. I heard of someone who was court ordered to not teach their child that being gay was prohibited in the Bible- flip side of this same coin. Though I doubt any of you would fight that one-

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I heard of someone who was court ordered to not teach their child that being gay was prohibited in the Bible- flip side of this same coin.

Do you have a link? I've heard this from another but he was unable to provide me with proof. I can't figure out if that's true or not. I've searched every way I know how on google, but as you may know, if you use bible and court and gay in the same search, you're gonna be there a while. If it's true, it's just as wrong as what's happening here.

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Though I doubt any of you would fight that one-

Well... Surprise!

I won't even attempt to give this the once over Prudence could deliver on this issue, so I'll just say this. I was taught the same thing as a child. And it has served me well. Knowledge is power.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

Do you have a link? I've heard this from another but he was unable to provide me with proof. I can't figure out if that's true or not. I've searched every way I know how on google, but as you may know, if you use bible and court and gay in the same search, you're gonna be there a while. If it's true, it's just as wrong as what's happening here.

I will look this weekend.

Well... Surprise!

Cheers for being grown up enough to admit it

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Cheers for being grown up enough to admit it

He ain't the only one. As a matter of fact, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone here that would say otherwise, and I'm not ashamed to say that I'm a little insulted by your implication otherwise. No one here has ever shown any anti-christian sentiment, only anti-christian rule. There's huge difference.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

He ain't the only one. As a matter of fact, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone here that would say otherwise, and I'm not ashamed to say that I'm a little insulted by your implication otherwise. No one here has ever shown any anti-christian sentiment, only anti-christian rule. There's huge difference.

You choose to preceive insult where none exists- and no, I don't doubt that he is the only one, but he admits his bias.

You seem outraged that this is not in the news- and all I pointed out was that I doubted there would be outrage from many here for the flip side- the Christian who was court-ordered to not teach an anti-Gay message. To deny that seems truly disingenuous- sorry, but it does.

I personally do not think any court should dictate morality teaching of any kind- period.

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I will look this weekend.

Any luck on finding a link to that story?