Has your religion ever been used against you in court?

Question

Have you ever had the experience of having your relgious beliefs and practices brought up and used against you in court? I've seen this happen, with Pagan divorces, one half of the couple "finds Jesus," and Witch Hunts the other half. I knew a Wiccan guy who lost coustody and visitation rights with his kid this way. I've heard of it happening with other religions as well, usually when children are involved.

Have you ever experienced it first hand? On the other side, have you ever done it?-- used someone's beliefs as evidence against them in court? Would you?

Tawaen, that's exactly why I think Pagans should stick with Pagans. Also, isn't it more fun to have a hubby you can celebrate a Sabbat with?

Sgt. Casey, just because it's been done, doesn't make it right. Besides, with all the work we Pagans have been doing PR wise with dispelling misconceptions and getting the truth out there about who we really are, that might not work anymore. Pagans are a lot more organized than we used to be, and there's a lot more factual information available about us. And, there are groups like this;

http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcr2.htm

So, the Pagan community is together enough now to defend ourselves against something like this.

Actually, if you want me to be honest, you were the inspiration for this question. Am I right about what I think you're trying to do?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AucCjF6ADZUKt_E5fo9C_crsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071107060131AAIGlqc
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmO51KA92Bg0m9YdHocyyJ3sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071105055720AAbNswa
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An8XHITTYFq0z.c1ref3imrsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071107044501AAzu4QX

Answer 1

My ex-husband did exactly that. I attend a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and, at the time of his 2nd filing for custody, he tried to use my lack of Christian faith against me. I fought back, and vehemently argued my right to follow my own spiritual path, whatever that might turn out to be. The way my attorney put it was that "lack of religion does not imply lack of parental abilities". It hurt me deeply that my spirituality was being attacked by someone I had once loved so much.
My children, who still reside solely with me, and who are welcome to study any religion or path they desire, were the only ones who could have been harmed by this. They are currently exposed to Christianity, Paganism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the Hermetic Arts by what's on the bookshelf alone. They know they can ask questions freely. They would not have had this opportunity had he won custody.
Three trips to court, and he still hasn't proven to a judge that I'm unfit. He calls my Sunday ritual a "bastardiziation of a church", and won't come to the kids RE functions, but that's his loss. Besides, he quit going to church regularly when he realized nobody was going to give him brownie points for it.
And NO, I would never use someone's religion against them in court - unless they had harmed me in some way as a result of some perceived god's command. Even then I'd have to think about it long and hard.

Answer 2

No, I've never been in court.

And if I ever get married and my husband tries to use my Paganism against me, I'll sue for religious discrimination so fast the court won't know what hit them.

Answer 3

No, but I didn't get hired as an advocate for rape victims because of my religion. I'm Christian, and because the woman interviewing me has had bad experiences with other people who call themselves Christian, she thought that I would be judgmental and not be able to help people. I told her that to judge someone or to refuse to help them would actually be against my beliefs, but she was to prejudiced to see that. This happens a lot in victims' services.

Answer 4

Some ones employment and religion are improper impeachment in most courts.

Answer 5

I had a trial declared a mistrial before because of a religious statement a juror made.
Thats about it for me.

Answer 6

Nope, being a Christian has never been used against me in court. People can believe what they wanna believe, but when they use their practices to get their way at my expense- well now that's a different story, and I'd use that against anyone in a heartbeat.

Interesting that your Wiccan friend lost cutody of his kid - I guess the court must see a problem with that, hmmm

Answer 7

I had a judge tell me one time I was nothing but a heathen. Does that count?

Answer 8

Yes. I was excused from a jury in a drunk driver case for being a Mormon.

Answer 9

No, everywhere but court.

Answer 10

I have no experience with court.