ATHEISTS HAIL DECISION — NONBELIEVERS CANNOT BE
SENTENCED TO FAITH-BASED REHAB PROGRAMS AS PAROLE CONDITION
An Atheist public policy group praised a U.S. District Court Judge in California for defending the constitutional rights of a prison inmate who was compelled to attend religion-based drug and alcohol rehab sessions in order to qualify for parole.
Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. ruled that California officials erred when they forced 41-year-old Barry A. Hazel Jr. to enroll in Alcoholics Anonymous after serving a one-year sentence for drug possession. Hazel, a computer programmer, demanded that he be given access to an alternative secular program instead, and was mistakenly informed that one was not available. After refusing to participate in the faith-based 12-step regimen, Mr. Hazel was re-arrested and had to serve another three months in jail.
Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists, praised the court for its finding in this case. “It is outrageous that any citizen be coerced into attending religious services or programs that ‘push’ religion in any form.”
Buckner noted that just weeks after Mr. Hazel protested the violation of his rights, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation issued an order to all parole agents pointing out that they “cannot compel” a parolee to participate in any religion-themed program.
Dave Silverman, Vice President and Communications Director for American Atheists said that while Atheists and other non-believers make up a very small percentage of prison populations — by some studies far less than one percent
(see: http://freethoughtp edia.com/ wiki/Percentage_ of_atheists# Atheists_ In_Prison) — “violating someone’s religious liberty and freedom from religion is not some kind of a numbers game.
“There are secular programs for drug and alcohol rehabilitation that are available, and the government has an obligation to respect the rights of any incarcerated individual to refuse religious ‘treatment’. ”
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists, Freethinkers and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy
#1 by |Gordon| |Freeman| on April 26, 2010 - 11:16 pm
No person should be forded into rehab of any kind.
#2 by Josh on April 26, 2010 - 11:36 pm
No.
#3 by Southern Baptist on April 27, 2010 - 12:26 am
Actually, to answer the question in the title, I would say no. B/c people have their reasons to not trust or speak to God. And as much as I would love for everyone to worship God, but we’re not robots.
#4 by magpieix A.L.M.N. on April 27, 2010 - 1:16 am
About time this got resolved.
#5 by Jeff M on April 27, 2010 - 1:21 am
If it’s proven to work, why not?
#6 by gutbucket on April 27, 2010 - 1:30 am
They probably do, and if this were a christian theocracy, we’d all be dead or in “re-education camps”.
#7 by Muddy9069 on April 27, 2010 - 1:32 am
Thats awesome!! :)
#8 by Barry on April 27, 2010 - 1:38 am
HA HA hahaha!! That would be awesome, PLEASE Force me an atheist to go to Religious Rehab!! HAHA I would have so much fun, Ohh Man it would be a blast when i come in painted red with horns and a tail and pitchfork.. WooHoo!
#9 by Everard G on April 27, 2010 - 2:30 am
Love it…
~
#10 by dixiegirl on April 27, 2010 - 2:40 am
Everyone has the free will to choose how to live their life. If they don’t want to go to heaven. Then thats them. For Jesus is the only way to heaven
#11 by laslo.kovacs on April 27, 2010 - 3:11 am
Seems like a completely sane decision to me.
Besides, these rehab programs are notorious for admitting fakers who pretend repentence in order to get a Get Out of Jail Card.
#12 by rabdomness on April 27, 2010 - 4:02 am
What do we get to force Christians to do?
#13 by Dr. Jazz ♥♥ Fun Aтнєιѕтs ♥♥ on April 27, 2010 - 4:23 am
Great decision! I love it.
And thumbs up to all the christians who said no.
#14 by s D on April 27, 2010 - 4:54 am
If there are secular programs available then I agree they should not be forced.
#15 by Eeyore on April 27, 2010 - 5:11 am
i believe that we should let everyone believe what they want to believe, as long as they keep the faith to themselves, and they are not violent to the society, in any way.
#16 by jethom33545 on April 27, 2010 - 5:15 am
Rehab is for quitters.
#17 by ME on April 27, 2010 - 6:04 am
NO ONE CAN FORCE TO WORSHIP GOD. GIVE RESPECT TO THEIR BELIEFS
#18 by Amanda the Religulous on April 27, 2010 - 6:35 am
Rehab programs have around a 6% success rate….with that sort of performance, NOBODY should be forced into such a program (what if you were only 6% effective at your job? Should you be allowed to keep it? What if the guys fixing your car were only succesful 6% of the time? Should you be happy about taking your auto to them?)
#19 by charles d on April 27, 2010 - 7:27 am
depends on witch christian religion or other religion your talking about.
#20 by Nightshade on April 27, 2010 - 7:54 am
No, but I love the concept. I would be the Pagan looking on, but I would love to be a mouse in the corner, what high entertainment that would be. Both Christians and atheists are always so sure of their beliefs, I would just love to watch it all. Better than a Firday night lurking and laughting on the YA Religion and Spirituality Board.
#21 by batgirl2good on April 27, 2010 - 8:18 am
No, I do not think that.
Use common sense and stop generalizing.
You called me an idiot because I asked you why you targeted Christians in one question. You are a hate-filled bigot.
#22 by JustForKicksonRt66 on April 27, 2010 - 8:30 am
No, I don’t.
But, in my belief, that is the only way to Truly stop it once and for all is through and by the LORD and Jesus Christ (Yahushua).
But, if someone doesn’t want to do that, then he / she is also disturbing the faith of those who are there for that reasons too. So it goes both ways.
I say no, he / she should not be forced to go to a faith based recovery program, they have to want to go, not forced to go. If they think a counselor would help them better, then they should do that, or something else.
They have to want to go to where-ever they decide though, however if they are a danger to the public, as far as driving and such go and they do not want to help themselves then they should not be able to do that either then.
It’s a little something called ‘free will’.
#23 by dancingdog777 on April 27, 2010 - 9:11 am
You cannot force anyone to accept God against their will. God only accepts those who seek Him by their own free will.
#24 by Wolfeblayde on April 27, 2010 - 9:50 am
I don’t think anyone should be forced into a rehab program that goes against their basic beliefs. That’s the same as forcing a Christian to attend a rehab program based on the principles of Islam.
It’s a violation of that person’s civil rights. . .and yes, we Christians do believe in such things, BTW.
#25 by jacki lynn on April 27, 2010 - 10:48 am
I am a Christian, but I do not think that Atheists should be forced to attend faith based rehab programs. The government does not have the right to violate a person’s religious freedom.
#26 by SaintlyMic on April 27, 2010 - 10:48 am
The answer is …
NO!
Why?
Because Jesus is a gentleman, and He never forces His way on ANYONE!
If a person wants to distance themselves from Christ Jesus by taking hold of an antichristian mindset, then Jesus will peacefully let them.
Jesus will let anyone send themselves to hell if that is what they want.
Jesus NEVER imposes Himself onto ANYONE!
As far as your stupid little antichristian story …
It is OBVIOUS that the state had no idea that their drug rehabilitation program was “faith based”.
It is obvious that the state corrected the mistake once it was discovered.
It is also obvious that you only posted this stupid question to make a STATEMENT, rather than to ask a question.
How do I know?
Because you answered your own ignorant question with a story that answered your question.
I’m praying for you NOW!
I hope that helps you my friend!
MTLJBYR!
May The LORD JESUS Bless You Richly!
#27 by Helen W. on April 27, 2010 - 11:22 am
Actually, I don’t think anyone should be forced into AA, whether or not they are an atheist. I am not an atheist, and voluntarily went to AA for several years, and I would not wish the experience on my worst enemy. It is really little more than a cult dressed up as a recovery program.
That said, the Bazle decision is excellent–it follows the already settled law from the 2007 case Inouye v. Kemna so it is not “new” law but the reasoning is straight on and the decision is well written.