Crap... maybe I should take this one off my car...
Posted on 08/25/2005 7:00:59 AM PDT by 300magnum
GREER, S.C. -- An internal investigation has cleared a reserve officer with the Greer Police Department of any wrongdoing in connection with a traffic stop that sparked a religious controversy.
Tony Stewart has been a volunteer officer with the department for 14 years.
In June, Stewart cited motorist Tony Gainey for driving with a suspended license, not having proper license plates or proof of insurance.
Gainey and his wife, D.J., said they're convinced Stewart pulled them over because of the bumper stickers on their car. One of the stickers read, "It's a druid thing."
The Gaineys said they believe in druidism -- a nature-focused religion.
Stewart said the bumper sticker was not the reason for the traffic stop.
"I didn't know what the druids were. Maybe as a Baptist deacon I should know what the druids were. I know now," Stewart said.
Stewart said D.J. Gainey gave him permission to send her a letter inviting the couple to visit his church.
"If I had not wrote the letter inviting them to the church, then God would have something to say to me. He reached out to that family. They pushed and slapped his hand away. That hurts my heart," Stewart said.
The Gaineys said the letter, which "called them to listen to the words from the Baptists," was a religious threat and a violation of their constitutional rights.
Stewart said he has sent dozens of similar letters over the years to people he's met.
"Most of the time they never responded, but I've had a few that it changed their lives," he said.
The American Civil Liberties Union is demanding that the city of Greer drop all charges and apologize to the Gaineys.
Mohammedans are cultists, and nowhere in our Constitution does it allow a religion of any sort to kill or maim another human being.
Try again.
I must have missed the part in the Bible when Jesus had armed Roman centurians detain pagans and then "invite" them to church.
"Stewart said D.J. Gainey gave him permission to send her a letter inviting the couple to visit his church."
If he had permission from her to send her an invitation to church, wouldn't it be even more inappropriate for her to seek legal action?
Wait a minute. You and I follow the Bible, they are following their bible, the Koran. What's the difference here?
Two different religions which are both protected by our government, right?
The difference is, our bible does not require us to go out and kill non-believers. Islam is not a religion based on a God, it's a cult based on a demon.
When our framers wrote the Constitution, there was never any consideration that moon god worshippers would ever become a threat to our Country. Religion was defined as those varying sects that worshipped the God of Abraham. i.e. Judaism, Catholicism, Quakers, etc..
I truly do not believe they envisioned this kind of problem or that our country would sink into the depths to which it has sunk where we would even consider for a moment that Witches were a religion.
It's too bad they didn't, but this is what I personally believe.
I agree with every word you said. Two questions, why would our current government protect a cult unless it wants to deceive us of it's true intentions? Do we have a duty to overthrow our current government because it protects a cult that wishes to exterminate Christians and Jews?
I believe our Government protects a cult like this in order to divide us. That is my belief
On your second question, I'll answer it with portions of a document written by men far more intelligent than myself.
" We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
I see you also keep a copy of the Declaration of Independence handy.
Crap... maybe I should take this one off my car...
Given the fact that he is (was?) a Law Enforcement Officer, his professional status alone makes it inappropriate to even ask for such permission and given the potential for intimidating circumstances in a traffic stop, the permission is in itself rather worthless from a legal standpoint.
"Executed Under Duress" means something, even in today's twisted world.
"I see you also keep a copy of the Declaration of Independence handy."
Live it, learn it, love it!
Semper Fi
Previous Thread:
Cop 'tries to convert' pagans during arrest (Druids think their civil rights were violated)
The fact that he does it while on duty is problematic. As a representative of the government (or company, for that matter), he has a responsibility to pursue his ministry outside the bounds of his duties.
It's much the same as if I started using my company's time to evangelize my coworkers (or customers). I'd be shown the door, post haste.
At least then the JBT contingent will recognize you as one of their own.
No wonder I couln't find it with a title like that.
A man with a gun, and the power of the state asks "By the way, may I ....?" Not surprised they said yes. I am surprised that you don't see this as a problem. Look, I have no problem at all with him proselytizing ... but combining that with the official exercise of police powers is a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY Bad Idea (tm)!
So, you're saying that anyone in law enforcement, can't or shouldn't invite anyone not in law enforcement, to church. That would be bad manners.
I'll have to respectfully disagree.
I would have to disagree with you because our Founding fathers put no such restriction in the documents or in practice.
In fact quite the opposite was true. It was not uncommon back then for 2 leaders to share a prayer before getting down to business "For the people".
We have done alot worse since that practice has been effectively abolished.
It is when he's on duty, in uniform, and performing normal job-functions. Would you have no problem with 'Officer Deacon' also doing an Amway sales-pitch on detainees?
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