If you had a hard time relating to the Reason for the Season this week, perhaps you should spend some time in the slammer:
Gov. Jeb Bush told nearly 800 prisoners Wednesday that religion can help lead them to a better life as he dedicated the nation’s first faith-based prison � an institution officials hope will lead to fewer repeat offenders.
. . .
“You don’t have to be here, you’ve chosen to be here. It’s no different, from what I’ve been told, from the other correction facilities. You still have to work, you still have to follow the rules, but you’ve committed yourself to a higher authority,” Bush said.
. . .
While religious activities are available seven days a week, participation is voluntary. Prisoners must stay out of trouble for at least a year to transfer to Lawtey and they will transferred out if they have discipline problems.
. . .
During the dedication ceremony, many of the prisoners jumped to their feet, smiled brightly and clapped in rhythm as a gospel singer sang “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” Some shouted “Sing it!” and “Amen!”
Later, Bush told the inmates “I can’t think of a better place to reflect on the awesome love of our lord Jesus than to be here at Lawtey Correctional. God bless you.”
I support granting prisoners the same freedom to worship that I enjoy. But this appears to go a step beyond that. This article doesn’t lay out exactly how Lawtey differs from other prisons, but it appears the facility isn’t just accommodating religious belief, it’s promoting it. And that’s not a business the government should be in.
Via TalkLeft.