How is it again that atheists are the ones who are so disrespectful and intolerant?
When Eric Hine appeared in court this morning, his attorney described him as a church-goer, hoping the judge would set a low bond.
Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge John Burlew was skeptical and asked Hine to recite the 23rd Psalm.
He did: all six verses. Some in the courtroom applauded.
Source: WTOP
Let's review just how many outrages are contained in the above. First, Hine's lawyer perceived that he could get favorable treatment for his client by describing him as a church-goer — and thus that non-Christians or non-church-goers would receive less favorable treatment in Judge John Burlew's courtroom. Second, Hine's lawyer decided to act on this perception by appealing to Burlew's apparent religious bigotry and willingness to treat church-going Christians better than everyone else.
Third, Judge John Burlew validated the lawyer's perception and blatant appeal to religious bigotry by expressing a willingness to give Hine special treatment — but only after passing a religious test. There can be no religious tests for public office, but apparently Burlew thinks it's just fine to give religious tests to accused criminals. Fourth, the religious test given to Hine was one about the Bible and the consequences were probably quite clear to Hine: demonstrate that he is a "good" Christian by passing the test and get favorable treatment; demonstrate that he's not a "good" Christian by failing the test and get worse treatment — and perhaps worse than he otherwise would have received if his lawyer hadn't appealed to Burlew's religious bigotry. I shudder to think of what would have happened to an atheist in Judge John Burlew's courtroom.
Eric Hine must have felt happy for passing the Bible test. Accused of using a stolen credit card, he was released on a $10,000 appearance bond — which means that he'll only have to pay if he doesn't show up for his next court appointment. What would have been done to someone who didn't satisfy Judge John Burlew's bigotry against non-Christians?
This example of giving Christians favorable treatment is not unusual or isolated. Compare the above to a story posted by Vjack about a Christian missionary group that will be helping the hungry in Africa — but only those who have accepted Jesus:
Earlier this year evangelist Dan Owens and the Eternity Minded Ministries ministry team traveled to Gitega Burundi, a small village in Africa, where they ministered to the people through five evening festivals, and daily visitations to local churches, orphanages, prisons, hospitals and military quarters. Over 75,000 people heard the Gospel message, and more than 5,000 people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and came forward to profess their faith.
Eternity Minded Ministries (EMM) will be returning to Gitega the first week of May with Seed for the Soul and Seeds for Humanity. Each person that stepped forward during the festival will be invited to return to a New Believers Rally to receive a brand new Bible and an Agricultural Aid Package complete with seeds and hoe to grow food for their family.
So those who became Christians, or who merely pretended to do so, will receive materials that will help them feed their families. Those who had the temerity to reject the Christian message and retain whatever beliefs they already held will not receive aid for feeding their family. Perhaps they can just starve, for all Eternity Minded Ministries cares, because they aren't Christians. What does it matter if a few non-Christians go to jail or starve when it's possible to ensure that church-going Christians can be set free and fed?
Remember, it's atheists who are arrogant, disrespectful, intolerant, and fundamentalist — and because they have the gall to challenge religion, disagree with religion, or even call religion foolish. Christians, though, can do pretty much whatever they want and keep insisting that non-Christians will go to hell. That's not arrogant, rude, disrespectful, or intolerant, though, because Christianity is True.
(I’m going to try to use html again, but strange things tend to happen when I do…)
There’s been another bit of related news:
Of course, he’s claiming that it was to test honesty, and not to endorse Christianity, but that’s a load of bull too, IMO.
I’ve been trying as hard as I can to not hate christianity. I really have. This article’s what just makes me want to load a gun and walk into my local church. These arrogant, stupid, brainwashed minons of their corrupt leader, General Pope, have gone to far already, but this is reeeeally to far. Of course, atheists are INCREDEBLY barbaric and closed minded, but the soldiers of Gen. Pope aren’t.
Truely insane.
I must confess that I love this stuff. I love the smell of idiocy in the morning. These people give me the right to look down on them and to despise them root and branch. Where else can such happiness be found.
“People do not understand the separation of church and state,” Judge Burlew said. “When a witness testifies in my courtroom, they raise their right hand and swear to God, they put their hand on a Bible, and if they pay a fine it is with currency that says in God we Trust.” (quote by Judge John Burlew)
Obviously the Judge does NOT understand the separation of church and state either!!
Austin do you think that maybe you can explain it to him? I don’t understand how we have so may incompetent judges, lawyers and polititians when it comes down to basic every day law. I know the word “separation” may be big and scary to some people, but it’s not that complicated to comprehend the meaning…or is it!?
Fundies say the darnest things.
Chuck
And what’s even more amazing is that so many of these professed Christians, in putting their hands upon those Bibles and swearing to tell the truth, totally disregard their alleged Lord and Savior’s unambiguous command, recorded in Matthew 5:34-37 (and partially repeated by the apostle James in James 5:12), NOT to swear at all, but to simply let their “ayes be aye and their nays be nay!”
I wonder how his honor Judge John Burlew squares this oath-taking practice with the dictates of, presumably, God Almighty?
Looks to me like they don’t even listen to their own Boss when it contradicts their customs and preferences!
And what’s even more amazing is that these professed Christians, in placing their hands on those Bibles and swearing to tell the truth, completely disregard and defy the explicit edict of their presumed Lord and Savior, recorded in Matthew 5:34-37 (and repeated in part by the apostle James in James 5:12) not to make any oaths at all, but to simply let their ayes mean aye, and their nays nay!
I wonder how the Honorable Judge John Burlew and like-minded jurists square this oath-taking practice in courtrooms throughout the land with the unambiguous instruction of, as faithful Christians must believe, God Almighty?
Looks to me like they don’t even heed the word of their own Boss when it contradicts their customs and preferences.
(I apologize if this comes up as a dupe…..it didn’t appear to “take” the first time ’round.)
And what’s even more amazing is that these professed Christians, in placing their hands on those Bibles and swearing to tell the truth, completely disregard and defy the explicit edict of their presumed Lord and Savior, recorded in Matthew 5:34-37 (and repeated in part by the apostle James in James 5:12) not to make any oaths at all, but to simply let their ayes mean aye, and their nays nay!
I wonder how the Honorable Judge John Burlew and like-minded jurists square this oath-taking practice in courtrooms throughout the land with the unambiguous instruction of, as faithful Christians must believe, God Almighty?
Looks to me like they don’t even heed the word of their own Boss when it contradicts their customs and preferences.
i am shocked! its not fair to allow someone off the hook because he could quote a scripture! I could quote psalms 23! Not impressive at all! that doesn’t prove he is a christain, and even if he was that doesnt mean he should be let off the hook.
This is Dan Owens from Eternity Minded Ministries. My name has appeared in this blog and I have never met these folks. They have no idea what we do around the world to help the poor. The incident that they refer to was due to an invite by church pastors who were wanting us to do something to bless their people as well. Up until that time all the work we did in their city, including building a school for the community was aimed at those who did not go to church. We normally do not give anything more than Bibles to people who have indicated they want to follow Christ. God loves all people and we give food, clothing, and medical help to atheists as well as Christian. If you would like more information contact me, love to talk.