13 Oct 2004
Supreme Court to Decide Inmates' Religious Rights Law

Included in the mix are a couple of heathens who've been harassed rather mercilessly by prison authorities. They're joined by a Wiccan, a Satanist (!) and a Christian Identity fellow. I have no idea what Wicca could do for a prisoner, but Satanism and the racist tripe called "Christian Identity" I would think might be a bit counter-productive in such an enviroment. And that may be an understatement ...

But Heathenry can be a very positive force behind bars. I spent a year going out to the Indiana State Prison in Greencastle once a month and serving blot and sumbel to heathen inmates. It was enlightening, to say the least. I never cease to be amazed and amused by prison management's negative attitudes towards heathenry, which as a religion teaches total personal responsibility. We don't have a "savior", and getting rid of your bad deeds takes a lot more than a prayer and a dunking in a converted bathtub.

There were a few who were just trying to get some time off, sure, but there were several who took it seriously enough to stay heathen after release. One of the inmates dropped his appeals after his "conversion" in order to do the time he thought he owed society. Another made a successful effort at restitution after his release - without being so ordered by a court.

Reuters - The U.S. Supreme Court said on Tuesday it would decide the constitutionality of a 2000 federal law protecting the religious rights of prisoners.

(link) [Yahoo! News]

00:00 /Asatru | 2 comments | permanent link