Supreme Court asked to hear witch case

Richmond Times-Dispatch ^ | 8/9/05

[Crackingham]

The American Civil Liberties Union has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision that allows the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors to exclude a local witch from leading the prayer at open meetings.

The ACLU of Virginia yesterday filed its petition with the court seeking to reverse a Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision, said ACLU attorney Rebecca K. Glenberg.

"Our position is that the 4th Circuit did something really extreme in its decision," she said. "It held that it was acceptable for a government body to treat people differently because of religion."

Cynthia Simpson, a witch who lives in Chesterfield, requested in 2002 to be placed on a list of religious leaders invited to deliver the invocation at meetings of the Board of Supervisors. So far, her request has been denied.

[Huck]

Which case?

[coconutt2000]

If it was up to the ACLU, Osama bin Laden would be allowed to give the opening prayers for the dedication of the building that will replace the World Trade Center.

Of course, it would be in the interest of diversity.

Before long, atheists will be given full access to church pulpits, and religious freedom will become a memory. All in the name of diversity.

[Republican Wildcat]

Good grief.

[Mulch]

Another perfect example illustrating how the ACLU is not against religion. There against Christianity. Hmm...

[WKUHilltopper]

Look, it's really easy to judge this. Throw her in a pond. If she sinks and drowns, she's innocent. If she floats, she's a witch and just burn her at the stake. Saves lots of tax dollars for more important trials.

[Republican Wildcat]

[Jeff Blogworthy]

If one accepts the bastardization of the Constitution that "no single religion can be given preference over another," then this is the logical, inevitable outcome. This is the kind of case that proves the lie.

[Brilliant]

A very shrewd move by the ACLU. They are hoping that the Supremes will rule that you can't have prayer at these meetings at all. And the whole purpose of choosing a witch case was to give the Supremes "cover" when they say "no."

[Brilliant]

Once again, the ACLU is representing the Devil.

[Old Student]

From what I can see here, someone goes in and claims to be a religious leader, the board doesn't buy it, so doesn't call her, and gets sued, right? Only in America...

[eeriegeno]

When is this country going to wake up and realize that this group, the ACLU, is taking this country down the tubes one decision at a time????

[antiRepublicrat]

If one accepts the bastardization of the Constitution that "no single religion can be given preference over another,"

It's not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but that was the thinking among the Fathers around that time:

"Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination." -- -Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, in reference to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom

[Ma3lst0rm]

I'm familiar with this case. I live in Chesterfield, I love living in the south, a horse is a horse and a witch is a witch.;-) I don't care whether or not she says her witchy prayer but its fun watching people tell her no. What will happen is they'll just not have any prayer at all if the court rules in her favor. She will probably lose because there is no Constitutional guarantee for this kind of thing but who knows it certainly doesn't stop the Supreme Court.  

[calex59]

Our position is that the 4th Circuit did something really extreme in its decision," she said. "It held that it was acceptable for a government body to treat people differently because of religion."

The ACLU asks courts to do this all the time, except the religion they want to be treated differently are Christians(Including Catholics, who after all are the original Christians).

[nwrep]

The Supreme Court should rule that only Congress is prohibited from passing a law favoring one religion over others, or forbidding practise thereof. The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors is not part of Congress, and so they will have more sway.

[Ma3lst0rm]

Hey you actually read the constitution. A novel concept.lol

[Enchante]

Next headline we will see:

ACLU SUES BOY SCOUTS, DEMANDS THEY ALLOW "WARLOCK PEDOPHILES" TO BE SCOUTMASTERS AND LEAD SCOUT TROOPS IN SEXUAL INITIATIONS OF SECRET COVENS"

I'm not laughing, that's what we will see next.

This thing called the ACLU is total depravity....

[IronJack]

I suppose to be fair, they have to let her open the meetings. Fine. Let her. But there's nothing that says anyone has to be in the room when she does. Gavel the meeting to order, call her to the podium, then exit until she's done. She'll get scant satisfaction gabbling to an empty room. And the ACLU will get the message that they can't control people who won't let themselves be controlled.

[Lord_Baltar]

Frankly, they should do that with all of them...

This is a Board of Supervisor's meeting, not a friggin Sunday School...