Legislative decisions based on religious values

[ArtSpitzer]

A propos this recent thread, there was an interesting story in Thursday's
Washington Post about the Town Council of Tangier Island, Virginia, which
rejected a request from Warner Bros. to film some scenes for an upcoming movie
on the island, apparently because Council members found the film inconsistent
with their moral/religious views.  Council member Betty Dail Parks, for
example, was quoted as saying that "there were some things in [the script],
like using the Lord's name in vain -- something our community doesn't
condone."

Warner Bros. reportedly does not plan to sue.  Presumably they'd have a good
case, not because of the explicitly articulated religious basis of the Council
members' votes, but because the council's action amounts to a content-based
denial of access to the forum.  (Live by the sword, die by the sword, Jim
Henderson!)

The complete text of the story can be accessed by double clicking the
following words if they appear in blue:
<A HREF="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
srv/WPlate/1998-03/12/176l-031298-idx.html">Tangier Island Gives Film Script A
Thumbs Down</A>

Otherwise, it can be found at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1998-03/12/176l-031298-idx.html

Art Spitzer