A family member I love is in jail right now and the ONLY book he is allowed to read is the Bible!! How is that constitutional. Yes I know, they committed a crime, blah, blah, blah, but how is that separation of church and state. Shouldn't they be allowed to choose their religious manuscripts? All of the sudden this family member is a "Born-Again Christian?" Not that I have any problem with my family members reaffirming their Christian faith, or converting to Christianity, but I do have a problem when it is because they are being brainswashed. Yes brainwashed. In prison people are in a highly emotional state and easily swayed. I'll bet that if the only book allowed in prisons was the Qa'ran, there would be a lot more conversions to Islam.
2007-11-07 05:16:26 · 25 answers · asked by Liesel 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Canadian Athiest: Just because something is "abolished" doesn't mean ****. Plus I'm also talking about in the past, and people on death row.
2007-11-07 05:23:46 · update #1
Enrique C: I agree completely, they should be allowed to have a variety of choices to read from, but IF the whole point is to limit them to religious books, then they shouldn't be limited to just the stupid Bible.
2007-11-07 05:25:49 · update #2
Monkey: So I take it your for Tyranny of the Majority?
2007-11-07 05:26:36 · update #3
I should add that this is a military prison. Despite what many of you say, that they have the constitutional right to not be limited to the Bible, that is being ignored. Do you think THAT is right?
2007-11-07 05:28:06 · update #4
Baby luv: But can that kind of conversion be truly from the heart? I think not. I would totally support his conversion if he were out of prison.
2007-11-07 05:29:09 · update #5
Sortega: Good observation, best answer so far.
2007-11-07 05:30:06 · update #6
People, I'm not talking about ALL prisons, just some.
2007-11-07 05:30:40 · update #7
Juicy: Excellent answer, also best answer material.
2007-11-07 05:31:26 · update #8
Christ's witch: You're right, "Constitutional rights" was a bad choice of words, but even still...
2007-11-07 05:32:48 · update #9
They let them read whatever they want. It's just the fact that Christians are the main ones ministering to those people. Islam perhaps secondmost. They are required to let them practice whatever they want, including Satanism if the inmate so chooses.
Besides, carrying around that Bible can mean safety from certain people, and time off for good behavior. I imagine that's why some of them do it.
2007-11-07 05:21:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I consider that you're grossly misinformed. If all inmates have been allowed to learn is the Bible, how in the world do convicted killers earn Master's Degrees or PhD's? Damn, I'd LOVE to be ready to get an schooling at any person else's rate. Besides, even though what you declare is right, (which it's not), they're IN PRISON. I get so ill of listening to approximately inmates being dealt with so poorly, like now not having to paintings for his or her housing, meals, apparel, or medication is the sort of terrible factor. Inmates get greater wellness care than the regular populace. Ever listen approximately the lady a couple of years in the past who made a false anthrax risk so she would move to prison and get therapy for her diabetes? For your expertise, inmates aren't being brainwashed, faith isn't being shoved down their throats considering that there are Bibles to be had. If that was once the case, each and every individual who has ever stayed in a inn could be brainwashed given that there's a Bible within the nightstand drawer of each and every unmarried one I have ever stayed at.
2016-09-05 13:00:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well personally i wasn't aware that , only the bibles are allowed because some prison have libraries that immates can borrow books, also i have a few family members and two currently in prison...they have plenty to choose from. So maybe its just the prison your family member is in or your state law. i'm not sure i am Christain and proud of it. however i dont see why only the bible is allowed i think all books should be allowed. however your family member has everyright o deny the bible... so if that's his only choice then he has to learn to deal with it. he made his bed now he has to lay in it. you could ask the prison offecials if you could buy hima book, see if its allowed. otherwise check out what the prison offers. the jails here also have televison. but the prison dont have those in their cells.
2007-11-07 05:23:39 · answer #3 · answered by Mrs.M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did not know that. I can't believe that is true. I think this person is not being truthful. I thought in prison people could get a college education. Don't they also have television?
I think alot of the reason people become born again in jail is because there's not alot to do and it's probably easier to find Jesus when you're not out on the streets commiting crimes.
2007-11-07 05:24:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the only change is change that comes from the heart. Read the bible to find that one out.
If you commit adultry in your heart then you have commited it by God.
If you hate your brother then you have commited murder.
The qaran is a very logical based belief. The Bible allows spiritual examination of the heart with the power of the Holy Spirit.
I'd look to God for the renewal of the spirit. Do you know that good feeling people get when they go to church? Well this good feeling will go away as you travel down old thought patterns that summon worldly feelings, which are contradictory to God.
Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is that of a child. Do you know the unconditional love that a child has,.. In that a child will give anyone love that shows them love. People have to learn to protect themselves from this unconditional love, for they will be taken advantage of. In jail it's a common saying that kindness is a weakness. But if you were ever lucky enough to have a child,.. And then you look into this child's eyes and all of the hope you have for that child. That's because the child inspires what you have lost.
The Holy Spirit heals the soul. It's change that starts in the heart first,.. And the mind second. But God doesn't teach us new thoughts. If God were in that business we'd already know it all. So we have to learn how to perfect Holy ways. God just inspires us to do so,.. And gave us the words of Holy Spirit inspires prophets in order to give us direction for the rewiring of our brains.
2007-11-07 05:37:06 · answer #5 · answered by itofine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, i think they should be allowed to read what ever they want... im sure it will help the guards keep the prisoners calm... (which is also the reason why the have some weights and stuff for the prisoners to work out)
2007-11-07 05:19:50 · answer #6 · answered by Bernanke 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree, but you have to look at how this came to be.
For various reasons, mostly security, prisons would like to ban -all- books. But that means that they have to ban scripture, which draws protest groups like flies. So they allow scripture. But, now they have to carefully define what is and is not scripture. Otherwise, the inmates could, and would, claim that Hustler magazine is an article of their faith.
Perhaps they have defined too narrowly, I happen to think so. But it is always important to consider the context behind a policy.
2007-11-07 05:22:13 · answer #7 · answered by juicy_wishun 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think you may have answered your own question... You see, you just said they are ALLOWED to. This means they have a choice. The main reason for placing this in prisons is because a majority of America is Christian.
2007-11-07 05:20:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are misled. Prisons have to abide by the Constitutional right of every American, free or prisoner, to practice the religion of their choice. I know of men who are Satanists in prison and they are allowed all the sacraments, vestments, books, etc. that go along with their preference.
Many men who go to prison "find" God because they are finally in a place where they can realize that they need something greater than themselves.
2007-11-07 05:20:05 · answer #9 · answered by Que bella 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I disagree with this! I can't believe that's the only book. I was always under the impression that there was a small to med sized selection. That's how people study to get thiere degree or G.E.D. in jail. What institution is he in?!?!
2007-11-07 05:22:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋