Comments on: US Jails Ban Religious Books To Combat “Terror” Fears

By: Emmanuel Moyana

Emmanuel Moyana — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:18:30 +0000

I hope and pray that the US government does not. But you see Jon, Christianity might suffer through Islamophobia. What affects one affects all. Laws that can be passed to deal with Islam for example could end up affecting all religions including Christianity unless such laws specifically target Islam. The later seems unlikely. You would agree with me that there is a lot of Islamophobia in the US and in many Western countries these days. Indeed many in the Islamic community invite this on themsleves through some inflamatory statements they make. This is the excuse the US needs to come up with repressive legislation and who knows Christianity itself could get affected. I am not saying that Christainity would be the chief target in such a scenario, but the need for absolute power as demonstrated by the Bush administration so far and, who knows, maybe by worse administrations in the future could see religion and Christianity being regulated.

By: Jon Holato

Jon Holato — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:36:27 +0000

@ Emmanuel Moyana - that’s a good observation, the American public really will give up anything in exchange for a little “safety” when they’re afraid. I don’t know if the US would ever come to regulating religion, especially Christianity because the evangelical lobby in this country is massive, but I for one know that they will never be able to dictate to me how I may or may not worship.

By: Emmanuel Moyana

Emmanuel Moyana — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:10:59 +0000

Well this is exactly where the world is going - governement deciding how man worships God. The threat of terror has so far seen many Americans loosing their liberties in the name of security. Slowly and surely government is encroaching on religion. Many governments around the world especially those who are guilty of human rights violations will begin to do the same justfying represion on the basis that America is doing the same. Those who are familiar with history understand that this has happened before. As it used to be during the dark ages, so shall it be again in the near future - government shall so restrict individual freedoms such that even how people worship shall be decided by civil and judiciary authorities. Many Americans today feel safe under their constitution that gurantees the separation of “Church and State.” Experience ofcourse has already shown that in a natianal crises such as 9/11, people are willing to accept laws that resistrict personal freedom in exchange for security. Eg the Patriot Act which was passed in just 45 days!.Americans accepted the law without opposition. The law increased the ability of law enforcement agencies to search telephone and email communications and medical, financial, and other records among other provisons. I bet before 9/11 this law would never have seen the light of day. What guarantee that if another attack occurs, the consititution will not be tempered with to remove the clauses that bar the legislator from enacting laws governing the practice of religion.

By: Erika Strum

Erika Strum — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:54:27 +0000

This is an absurd waste of time and resources and it absolutely strips the prisoners of their constitutional rights.