So much about religious liberty

[Brian37]

Sounds like the imam was present, just not allowed into the execution chamber as the imam was not a member of the execution team (among other reasons). 

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/08/692605056...y-his-side

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/1...Vacate.pdf

Still discrimination. They claimed it would be a "security risk" because he was not an employee.

BULLSHIT.

In high security prisons, there are screenings when you go in. So if this Imam would have tried something, he would have had to have been a martial artist, and even then, even if he tried to hurt the guards or executioners there would have been a sudden and quick reaction negating it very quickly. Death row especially is highly policed by the guards. I find this argument to be nothing short of bullshit. The priest who gets a paycheck is government funded religion. And that priest isn't a trained prison guard either. 

So the next question is, if they really mean it, then why are they not hiring Muslim chaplins who would be allowed in?

Not buying it.

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The government should not be giving a holy person a paycheck, OF ANY LABEL, to do a job.

I would say that if a Christian or Muslim or Jew or anyone on death row wants a holy person of their choice, they should have it, and if that holy person wants a pay, then it should be funded by donations taken by the local holy place they lead. But to me, if religion is about altruism and not money, priest or Imam, why the fuck are you asking for a paycheck from government. If religion is about charity, even outside prison, for whatever reason, then that holy person should rely on donations from those who follow them, and not take government money.

But for this right wing court to pin in on security, that priest is not a security guard so this is just fucking bullshit.

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Now, the thing I would do, if I were that imam, is to apply for a job there as a chaplin and see what happens. Most likely in that state they'd find a reason not to hire him. But if they did, how many want to bet even if that imam were a prison employee they'd find another excuse.

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I think the simple solution is to have any last words from a holy person in a separate room, employee or not. Otherwise this is simply discrimination.

[brewer]

The obvious solution is not to allow any religious person in the execution chamber.

[Brian37]

The obvious solution is not to allow any religious person in the execution chamber.

That is what I just said, allow the holy person and the prisoner to have their moment in a separate room. Yea, don't allow anyone but the guards and executioners in the chamber.

I think the death penalty should be abolished, but that is a separate story.

This is just one more way of right wing Christians trying to ignore the concepts of government neutrality on the issue of religion.

[brewer]

The obvious solution is not to allow any religious person in the execution chamber.

That is what I just said, allow the holy person and the prisoner to have their moment in a separate room. Yea, don't allow anyone but the guards and executioners in the chamber.

I think the death penalty should be abolished, but that is a separate story.

This is just one more way of right wing Christians trying to ignore the concepts of government neutrality on the issue of religion.

I know, stop machine gun posting.

[Brian37]

The other thing is there are normally holding rooms next to, or down the hall from the chamber.

How is it not a security risk merely because of a few feet or yards when it is in the same building heavily guarded? Somehow magically going through one door into another room in a high security prison is going to cause one person, with tons of eyes on them to start shit?

This is the same bullshit logic with people thinking high traffic bathrooms have magic powers to cause more rape than other rooms in other buildings. When the truth is crime is a issue of opportunity and most criminals want isolation, not a high traffic situation. And in an execution you are going to have several dozens of people watching, not to mention even more around the entire prison complex.

The paycheck of the priest making him valid is bullshit.