Yes, this is what the beginning of a theocracy looks like. A small town on Alabama is forcing individuals charged with misdemeanors to choose between serving time in Jail or time at a Christian only church. Yeah, you read that right.
Starting this week, the city judge [of Bay Minette, Alabama] will implement Operation Restore Our Community (ROC), which gives misdemeanor offenders a choice between fines and jail or a year of Sunday church services. [...]
Pastor Robert Gates told WRKG that the program was a win-win for everyone involved.
"You show me somebody who falls in love with Jesus, and I'll show you a person who won't be a problem to society," he said.
ACLU of Alabama director Olivia Turner called the policy "blatantly unconstitutional."
By the way, no Mosques or Synagogues or other religious groups are included in this program. Only Christan churches. I think these people interpret the Constitution the way they interpret the Bible. In other words, it doesn't matter what it really says, it only matters what they want it to say.
Oh and Pastor Gates, I know of a lot of people who love Jesus and still cause problems for society. I'd start with you and anyone who shares your implied but misguided belief that only Christians are good people. The church isn't a cure-all for people misbehaving. I know lot's of Bible-thumpers who justify beating women if they are married or in a relationship with a woman because God gave Adam authority over Eve, or who claim bullying gay kids is not a bad idea because God hates gays. I even know of a few murderers who justified their acts of terrorism based on their "love of Jesus." Maybe you haven't heard of Eric Rudolph or Scott Roeder.
Nah, you know who they are. But hey, they loved Jesus!
UPDATE Apparently the Restore Our Community Plan has been put on hold for the time being (h/t to Lapin):
BAY MINETTE, Alabama -- Implementation of a church-based alternative sentencing plan in Bay Minette that has drawn national attention will be delayed for several weeks while lawyers give it another once-over to make sure there are no legal issues, according to the Police Chief Michael Rowland.
What a shocker. Now how do you think they will attempt to wiggle out of the 1st amendment issue?
UPDATE 2: It was the local churches who came up with the proposal for this program:
Originally slated to begin today, the faith-based "Restore Our Community" program, the brain-child of area church leaders, offers first-time, nonviolent offenders appearing in Bay Minette Municipal Court the option of attending the house of worship of their choice each week for a year instead of receiving jail time or other punishments. [...]
[Police Chief Michael Rowland] credited area churches for ROC. "This is their idea. I just put it together and pitched it," he said.
This was a particular group of preachers who came to the Police Chief, not the other way around. The fact that not all churches are participating is telling.