religion in prison

[wizard69]

Does anyone know if those convicts with alternative belief systems such as Satanism, Wicca or Scientology are allowed to practice their faith in jail?
As an ex inmate myself, I remember a rasta that was not allowed into the prison chapel because he refused to remove his hat. I also remember reading about a wiccan that was taking the prison service to court for not allowing him to follow his faith.
Christians and muslims are well catered for in prison but if minority beliefs are not allowed then why should christianity and islam be allowed?
I dont know if things have changed since I was a guest of Her Majesty (hence the question) but it stinks of religious intolerance if it hasnt.

[wizard69]

And before anyone accuses ME of been religiously intolerant, I'm not. People have a right to believe what they want as long as it is not forced on to me. And I also have a right to question those beliefs if you put them forward as truth.
If some people dont have a right to practice their beliefs while others do, then I find that unjust.

[Theland]

As I understand it, the prison chapels were supposed to be, originally, for the worship of the God of the Bible? A recognition that we were a Christian country and so people could worship wherever they were. Only recently has the multi faith society highlighted the supposed need to cater for people with diverse beliefs.
All beliefs will cause some offence to somebody, in varying degrees, so, a period of contemplation is required before I could comment on this one further. (goes away to contemplate .......)

[naomi24]

Ahhhh - but will he come back with an answer? Stay tuned for the next enthralling episode.

[wizard69]

waiting........

[Theland]

........ No, the chapels were for Christians, so I'd like to keep them that way - let the others slaughter their sheep in theis cells.

[luna-tic]

If so many denominations of the same belief system are allowed eg: Christianity:- Catholic / Protestant / Methodist/ Jehoviah W's / Mormons and so on, then why not other religions because after all a church or chapel is a place for prayer and refered to as a House of God.
This is why I think that if you must follow a particular belief then obviously different practices within the buildings may differ but whatever they call their creator is really the same theory behind it.
How about a separate chapel for atheists with a "NO GODS ALLOWED" sign at the entrance?

[luna-tic]

Obviously there are cultural differences but isn't religion one of the the main problems for the segregation caused between people on this tiny spinning ball we call home?

[Theland]

To get back to the question - "When in Rome etc ...... " So, if I break the law in Saudi, what could I expect in the way of worship facilities when rotting in their gaol?

Similarly, we are a Christian country, so why .............. ?

[Theland]

Reference the first post from Wizard - He is right to reject peoples beliefs being forced on him. I'll drink to that. But it goes both ways, and a belief in nothing should not be forced on believers in something.

Believers in nothing, believe that this universe of something, was created by nothing, from nothing, is sustained by nothing, and its purpose is nothing.

Oh yes - it's a view supported by science as well.

But as long as this view is not forced on me, then I have no trouble with it, and am content to believe that this universe of something, was created out of nothing by something, is sustained by something and has a purpose.

[Theland]

Also, given the governments leanings towards non custodial sentencing for offenders, the future for prison chapels looks rather bleak.

[Theland]

Naomi - I do hope you are suitably enthralled. And where were you this evening? Out on the town with Mr. 24? Dinner guests at your place? Wine and things on sticks? Or did you just watch the telly?

[Theland]

Wizard, Naomi, Luna - Look at the time!

<<<<<<<<

I'm off to bed! May not get back until sometime Monday, but I'll try to log on sometime Sunday, pressure of work etc

Enjoy your day.

[luna-tic]

Theland, You are right when you say that in some other countries they definitely would not cater for a foreigner's religion within their jail but if your in jail in the first place then obviously that person's God hasn't done much for them anyway and being in slight contradiction with what I said earlier, whether your Rastafarian, Wicca or Scientology, Their God has been so influencial that crime is the outcome.
Okay, quick rethink. Sod all the beliefs, they gave up that right when they did wrong.

[Theland]

St. Peter and St Paul did time in the clink. God watched over them.
God watched over Wizard, and brought him here to the R & S of AB. I wonder why?

[wizard69]

err...so that I can show you the error of your ways?

[Theland]

"God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform."

[Octavius]

I don�t see why not. I believe the Royal Navy accepted their first registered Satanist a few years back, effectively allowing the person to perform Satanic rituals on board the vessel they were assigned, so why not prisons?

[naomi24]

Theland, sorry I didn't get back straightaway. I missed this one until now.

Anyway, God looked after Peter and Paul you say? Yes, he looked after them so well they were both executed!

[Octavius]

Ah yes, but then you see they went to heaven and are happy as a pig in ��spite of all that malarky.

[naomi24]

You sure about that?