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Christian privilege and the “desecration” of a Jesus statue [View all]
Christian privilege is an insidious cancer prevalent in this country. This time the victim is a 14-year-old prankster with an irreverent sense of humor. The unidentified teen posted pictures of himself and a Jesus statue in which it appears the Lord is fellating the teen.
Sure, the photo is tasteless. But poor taste is not a crime (and Christians should be thankful for that). Neither is desecration of a venerated object. Yet the boy has been charged in juvenile court with that crime.
First, there was no damage done, the kid took some photos. Second, desecration is not a crime. FFRF's litigation attorney, Bob Tiernan, won a nearly identical criminal case in Colorado in 2000. Rodney Scott was charged with "desecrat[ing] an object venerated by the public" for removing illegal and unlicensed roadside memorial crosses. The court found that the roadside crosses were "litter" so they could not be venerated.
But so what if they were? "Desecration" and "venerated" are clearly terms meant to protect religious sensibilitiesand religious objectsfrom harm. But we already have laws in place that do just thatlaws that prohibit vandalism, property destruction, and theft. Why do we need a separate law for religious property?
(more at link)
http://ffrf.org/news/blog/item/21351-christian-privilege-and-the-desecration-of-a-jesus-statue?
Sure, the photo is tasteless. But poor taste is not a crime (and Christians should be thankful for that). Neither is desecration of a venerated object. Yet the boy has been charged in juvenile court with that crime.
First, there was no damage done, the kid took some photos. Second, desecration is not a crime. FFRF's litigation attorney, Bob Tiernan, won a nearly identical criminal case in Colorado in 2000. Rodney Scott was charged with "desecrat[ing] an object venerated by the public" for removing illegal and unlicensed roadside memorial crosses. The court found that the roadside crosses were "litter" so they could not be venerated.
But so what if they were? "Desecration" and "venerated" are clearly terms meant to protect religious sensibilitiesand religious objectsfrom harm. But we already have laws in place that do just thatlaws that prohibit vandalism, property destruction, and theft. Why do we need a separate law for religious property?
(more at link)
http://ffrf.org/news/blog/item/21351-christian-privilege-and-the-desecration-of-a-jesus-statue?
Yes, there is another OP on the subject. This is a different take on the subject.
Does anyone here really believe that what this kid did should be a crime?
122 replies
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Peeing on property is vandalism or causing damage. This "venerated object" is BS.
cleanhippie
Sep 2014
#9
What is this "the two of you SEEM TO BE..." stuff? Why are you so rudely characterizing me
MADem
Sep 2014
#65
Because you and treasonousbastard seem to be desperately searching for some other crime.
Warren Stupidity
Sep 2014
#67
Now I "seem to be" desperate? Come off it. Stop talking about ME. Talk about the issues.
MADem
Sep 2014
#68
I don't think that holds up if this lawn isn't fenced off or clearly delineated to not be...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#69
I find it more interesting how so many supposed progressives are willing to excuse hate crimes
rug
Sep 2014
#75
Here's a HINT, this is NOT a hate crime, hell you wouldn't even know what the fuck...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#77
I'm sure you know a LOT more about hate crime than you would care to admit. n/t
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#80
More "seems" from people who are blinded by the religious element. That "seems" to be the
MADem
Sep 2014
#117
The statute is. My objection is that the actions of the accused do not match the criteria
AtheistCrusader
Sep 2014
#24
How the ever loving fuck is this a "hate crime", or, perhaps more importantly...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#21
I did, that law sounds like a bad law that should be overturned on constitutional grounds...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#27
Of course words can cause sigificant harm, for example, I would say the Catechism...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#29
You have yet to demonstrate any harm that would come about from this "hate speech"...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#31
Those are attacking groups of people, not an idea and not necessarily a sacred icon...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#35
That's vandalism, not knowing the backstory, yes it could be because they didn't like angels.
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#44
Can you imagine had he done this to a statue of Mohammad? Good lord it would be louder then this.
yeoman6987
Sep 2014
#32
There was an atheist that dressed as Mohammed for a parade in Pennsylvania or a place like that...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#34
I just don't understand the mentality, apparently the sensibilities of the religious is more...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#37
That's actually a myth, students are allowed to pray at public school, carry around Bibles...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#41
Does that mean that anyone who attempts to depict Muhammad for the purpose of sacrilege...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#78
The necessary lesson that religion has a special place in society and people take second place?
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#71
I'm the type of humanist who advocates for equal rights without reservation...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#95
And do you alse deign to judge which humans are bereft of humanity and which are not.
rug
Sep 2014
#97
It seems to me that a lot of people here want to criminalize irreverence and atheism itself...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#70
Oh, brother. If that's what you get out of this, recalibrate your persecution meter.
rug
Sep 2014
#84
Right back at ya when you complain about your church being criticized!
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#89
I'm pointing out hypocrisy, its rather simple, you claim this teen committed a hate crime...
Humanist_Activist
Sep 2014
#98
Careful, bunch of people got all bent out of shape last time I copied/pasted references to joyful
AtheistCrusader
Sep 2014
#120