One example of the problem with Faith Initiatives

[Andonyx]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/saturday/news_f31d95c9b14da0391001.html

[quote]
TALLAHASSEE -- Hard time will soon be hallowed time for nearly 800 Florida inmates who will be given the option of repaying their debt to society in the nation's first prison dedicated entirely to faith-based rehabilitation programs.

Gov. Jeb Bush made the surprise announcement Friday at a White House-sponsored news conference in Tampa that spotlighted President Bush's attempts to give religious organizations a greater role in solving social problems.

"I believe that when people commit violent acts, it is appropriate to enforce the laws and that people should be punished for their actions," Gov. Bush said. "But I also believe that lives can be changed./quote]


Hmm, put people in prison for various crimes, and then offer them a less harsh conditions in return for faith in god...

It doesn't say that explicitly, and oddly the article is strangely vague about what exactly is involved in the program.

But this sounds like potentially the worst abuse of theocratic proportions that I could imagine for faith based initiatives.

[corplinx]

Doesnt this go entirely against the Clinton/Charitable Choice Bush/FBI program? The Bush and Clinton measures were about choice, competition, and helping people.

I think making a faith program only prison breaks with that.

[Marc]

Yup, sounds a lot like pressuring religion onto people.

I seem to recall a court case against just such a practice. The Islamic inmates were objecting because the programs were only for christians. Wonder about inmates of smaller religions, will there be a similar program for Wiccans and Pagans? Shinto, Buddhists, how about atheist/agnostics?