ACLU Demands End to Jail's Anti-Religion Censorship

By Lawrence D. Jones|Christian Post Reporter

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The American Civil Liberties Union, backed by groups including Prison Fellowship and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, is demanding that officials at a regional corrections facility in Virginia end their illegal censoring of religious materials sent to detainees.

In a letter sent Thursday to the superintendent of the Rappahannock Regional Jail in Stafford, the ACLU asked for jail officials to guarantee in writing that the jail will no longer censor biblical passages from letters written to detainees and to revise the jail's written inmate mail policy to state that letters will not be censored simply because they contain religious material.

"It is nothing short of stunning that a jail would think it okay to censor the Bible and other religious material for no reason other than its religious nature," says David Shapiro, staff attorney with the ACLU National Prison Project. "Such censorship violates both the rights of detainees to practice religion freely and the free speech rights of those wanting to communicate with detainees."

According to the ACLU, the letter was prompted by a complaint brought to the ACLU by Anna Williams, a devout Christian whose son was detained at Rappahannock beginning in June of 2008 until his transfer earlier this year.

Williams wanted to send her son religious material, including passages from the Bible, to support him spiritually during his confinement. But rather than deliver Williams' letters to her son in full, jail officials reportedly removed any and all religious material, destroying the religious messages Williams sought to convey to her son.

In one incident, jail officials reduced a three-page letter sent by Williams to her son to nothing more than the salutation, the first paragraph of the letter and the closing, "Love, Mom," after excising biblical passages.

"It is essential that jail officials abide by the law and the requirements of the U.S. Constitution," argues Daniel Mach, director of Litigation for the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. "People do not lose their right to religious worship simply because they are incarcerated."

Other signatories to the ACLU's letter – addressed to the jail’s superintendent, Joseph Higgs, Jr. – include the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the Rutherford Institute, Prison Fellowship, the Friends Committee on National Legislation and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

Copies of the letter were also sent to a handful of city and county officials.

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Alockslee »

Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:07 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

Mee Â»Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:44 am 2. Can you please post the sources that prove America was founded on "God's principles and his word"?

Check out the book " Bible Positions on Political Issues" by John Hagee It will give you all kinds of info. about the Christian founders of our Country.
YES our Country WAS founded on God's Principles. Was do our Bill of Rights Say ? have you ever read them ?
----------------------------------------------------------
In response: since the book was written by a known fundamentalist it automatically is suspect as to truth, veracity, omissions, factual accuracy, credibility and especially it's Hagee and that alone is enough to place it in the refuse pile BEFORE opening it or even reading past the title and author.

Just like other fundamentalist/evangelical authors who put this revisionist trash out it neither recites history correctly or accurately it invents stories that those who read it will blindly accept without verifying the material and then as the case here believe it to be true when it couldn't be further from it.

Read the following link and respond if you like.

http://alockslee.blogspot.com/

Is America a "christian nation"?

Read it, learn know it and then recognize the truth when you see it.

TFR
Ethan »

Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:17 pm Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

http://www.aclufightsforchristians.com/

If link is swallowed by the intertubes, Google for "ACLU defends Christians".
Mee »

Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:44 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 5

2. Can you please post the sources that prove America was founded on "God's principles and his word"?

Check out the book " Bible Positions on Political Issues" by John Hagee
It will give you all kinds of info. about the Christian founders of our Country.
YES our Country WAS founded on God's Principles. Was do our Bill of Rights Say ? have you ever read them ?
chdldry »

Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:05 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 4

Just something to think about. For all the non believers and people who don't follow Jeus Christ who come to this site. I have a question for you. Lets say that the bible is the true word of God and, God is real and Jesus is the Son of God. Also lets say that the life that we live here on earth till we die is like a grain of sand. Lets say that eternity would some what be like all the grains of sand on every beach in the world. Would you be willing to compromise your present lifestyle and choose self over Jesus Christ if it meant spending eternity in heaven or hell? Just curious !
shoreec »

Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:21 am Agree: 5 Disagree: 0

Daniel Paul - Wrong, religion is at the very heart of the ACLU's action. You need to do a littel homework here and stop buying into propaganda about the ACLU. The ACLU has long defended individuals, families, and religious communities who wish to manifest their religion in public Particularly when compared to other industrialized democracies, religion plays a prominent role in American public life. Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, cathedrals, and Gurdwaras are plainly visible in the public sphere and their right to display religious symbols and to construct religious edifices is protected by the Constitution and by statutes.
WARRIOR51 »

Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:07 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

Charles Colson and the folks at Prison Fellowship are always top of the line when it comes to prison ministry. They make me think of those like Peter and Paul who they themselves spent time in prison, and were both very constructive and very much witnesses to those both in and outside of prison. So if Chuck is for this then I have no question.
Daniel Paul »

Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:29 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 5

Keep in mind the ACLU is NOT defending religion here. They are defending freedom of speech and right to privacy. Religion is a non-issue concerning their actions.
Daniel Paul »

Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:27 am Agree: 2 Disagree: 3

"If evolution (Darwinism) is false science, why do those trained in that theory have so many successes?"

That would depend on your definition of 'successes'. Still, you have no direct corrolation between learning evolution and 'successes'. The fact that everyone taught in the public school system for the past 40 years has been taught Darwinism would actually work against your statement.
Rhi Bran »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:49 pm Agree: 2 Disagree: 1

If evolution (Darwinism) is false science, why do those trained in that theory have so many successes? What major medical or biological breakthrough has occurred in the past 50 years as a result of someone using creationism rather than current evolutionary theory? Creationism has been found by a conservative, Republican appointed judge, not to be science. It is a religious belief. You can write about it, you can teach it in church or church related schools, but it is not science any more than exorcism is a substitute for psychiatric treatment.
harvey »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:25 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 3

the a.c.l.u.is like our congress left wing they have some farleft thinking people just like pelosi- reid-schumer-boxer-durbin-kennedy and many more
Alockslee »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:21 pm Agree: 5 Disagree: 0

Flagged as inappropriate. show chdldry Â» Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:23 pm : What level playing field? In our public schools they do not teach creationism and Darwinism. Only Evolution false science. Where is the level playing field there? Why not give our kid's a opportunity to choose between the two. What is the ACLU afraid of? What is the far left afraid of? This country was established on God's principles and His word. ---------------------------------------------------------- In response: A couple of things about your comments, 1. The schools teach science and evolution is based upon scientific principles, creationism is not, and along with intelligent design was proven to be only religion which is not allowed in public schools since it would violate the 1st Amendment. It's that Amendment so many fundamentalist/evangelicals are always claiming is not being followed, so by NOT teaching creationism/id, is following the 1st Amendment and that should make you happy. 2. Can you please post the sources that prove America was founded on "God's principles and his word"? I would really like to see where you get this from since I have never seen any founding documents that make that claim and especially since the 1st Amendment and Establishment Clause specifically prevent this Country from establishing and/or promoting ANY religion, it allows a citizen to practice, but FORBIDS the government from directly involving itself in establishing, promoting one religion over another, favoring a religion and/or even having a religious test to seek or hold office. http://alockslee.blogspot.com/ Truth, Justice and the American Way - BTW The American Way is SECULAR!!! TFR hide
PhatDajuan »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:17 pm Agree: 5 Disagree: 1

There is no "catch" to the ACLU's siding with freedom of religious expression. The ACLU has always taken a very strict view of our first amendment freedoms and equal protection under the law.

Unfortunately it's that "equal protection" aspect that often makes conservative Christians angry. They think that Christianity is the be-all and end-all of religious faith, and that all other religions need to stay out of the way. They don't like being on a level legal playing field with people of other faiths, because that means they aren't superior. They don't like it when the ACLU defends forms of speech that they perceive to be indecent, irreverent, or unpatriotic. And they get ESPECIALLY angry when the ACLU support equal treatment for both Gay and Straight Americans.

Bottom line: Conservative Christians love the ACLU when they're defending the rights of conservative Christians, but they hate the ACLU when they're defending anyone else.
PhatDajuan »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:16 pm Agree: 4 Disagree: 0

"In our public schools they do not teach creationism and Darwinism. Only Evolution false science. Where is the level playing field there? Why not give our kid's a opportunity to choose between the two?"

Sure, and while we're at it, we can allow kids in public schools to choose between the Theory of Gravitation and the Theory of Invisible Rubber Bands.
chdldry »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:29 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

I am not confused I serve a all knowing all loving God! Cofusion comes to the ones who deny Him. For they will chase after there on desires.
chdldry »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:23 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 4

What level playing field? In our public schools they do not teach creationism and Darwinism. Only Evolution false science. Where is the level playing field there? Why not give our kid's a opportunity to choose between the two. What is the ACLU afraid of? What is the far left afraid of? This country was established on God's principles and His word.
shoreec »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:20 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

abishalyoung - you are only confused because you have bought into the proganda that frequently shows up in articles on this website about the ACLU. The ACLU is not anti religion, anti conservative, anti evangelical, or anti fundamentalist Christian. It is for defending the rights of all as guaranteed in the constitution. It doesn't matter if it involves the rights of the majority of population, a small segment of the population or even a single individual. Do your own homework and find out what the ACLU is about an don't rely on website like this one to tell you. You may be surprised to learn who really has an agenda that wants to put the rights of some ahead of everyone else.
PhatDajuan »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:52 am Agree: 11 Disagree: 0

Flagged as inappropriate. show There is no "catch" to the ACLU's siding with freedom of religious expression. The ACLU has always taken a very strict view of our first amendment freedoms and equal protection under the law. Unfortunately it's that "equal protection" aspect that often makes conservative Christians angry. They think that Christianity is the be-all and end-all of religious faith, and that all other religions need to stay out of the way. They don't like being on a level legal playing field with people of other faiths, because that means they aren't superior. They don't like it when the ACLU defends forms of speech that they perceive to be indecent, irreverent, or unpatriotic. And they get ESPECIALLY angry when the ACLU support equal treatment for both Gay and Straight Americans. Bottom line: Conservative Christians love the ACLU when they're defending the rights of conservative Christians, but they hate the ACLU when they're defending anyone else. hide
Rhi Bran »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:08 am Agree: 4 Disagree: 0

No, the ACLU actually acts on principle and has often sided with conservatives on issues related to free speech and freedom of religion when it does not attempt to intrude into public schools. Since those incarcerated do not have the freedom to attend the church or religious worship of their choice, they have the right to religious services and materials. I don't know what argument this jail used. Having worked in prison chaplaincy, I can say that those with trained chaplains usually have clear policies. Unfortunately, when a law was passed some years ago insuring the right of prisoners of all faiths to worship materials and services, it created many problems. Not only Muslims, but Satanist, people who participate in White Supremacist religion, Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, all native American tradtions(they are not all the same), voodoo and its many forms(some of which are practiced by drug cartels), santeria, Wicca, Rastafarianism(no ganga allowed) etc. have placed a burden on the systems. Convicts have unlimited time to explore religion and manipulate the system. Remember, if you pass a law or obtain a court ruling, it will apply to all religions under the Constitution. Some chaplains (not professionally trained) to my knowledge attempt to create roadblocks for religions they deem cults or not acceptable. Some don't like Catholicism while others may limit access to groups they consider liberal. Not all states have professional standards that are enforced. Juvenile systems, rural county jails that warehouse large populations from cities, or those awaiting space in federal or state prisons may rely on volunteers for hundreds of inmates. Often these volunteer chaplains are dedicated but have little training in the legalities of religious rights of inmates. Providing sweat lodges, the paraphenalia of a host of religions, while maintaining a safe and secure environment is no easy deal. At the institution I worked at, it was not unusual for violence, passing of contraband etc. to take place in religious services. Inmates play volunteers. In one juvenile facility, the only death of a staff in its history was a chaplain. Another chaplain at a juvenile facilty was assaulted, his keys taken and his car used in an escape attempt. Security comes first.
chdldry »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:13 am Agree: 3 Disagree: 3

I am shocked, sense when has the ACLU sided with religion unless it supported Islam or any other religion accept Christianity. There must be a catch behind this.

Oh! it's because if religion was censored then the Koran would not beable to penetrate our prisons.
abishaiyoung »

Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:05 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 3

The ACLU seriously confuses me.

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