ACLU of NJ Fights For Christian Inmate's Right to Preach

[Will Linden]

Thank you for this comprehensive and sophisticated rebuttal.

At 02:48 PM 12/15/08 -0500, you wrote:
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>Bloody communists out to destroy Christianity in America!
>
>
>
>Ed Brayton
>
>
>
>From: religionlaw-bounces at lists.ucla.edu 
>[mailto:religionlaw-bounces at lists.ucla.edu] On Behalf Of AAsch at aol.com
>Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 6:48 PM
>To: religionlaw at lists.ucla.edu
>Subject: ACLU of NJ Fights For Christian Inmate's Right to Preach
>
>
>
>FYI, the latest addition to my website: 
><http://aclufightsforchristians.com>ACLU Fights for Christians
>
>
>
>Allen Asch
>
>
>
>Release taken from 
><http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/acluprotectsprisonersrelig.htm>http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/acluprotectsprisonersrelig.htm
>
>
>
>ACLU Protects Prisoner's Religious Liberty
>
>For Immediate Release
>
>December 3, 2008
>
>State Prison Officials Prevent Ordained Pentecostal Minister from Preaching
>
>TRENTON, NJ - The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of New 
>Jersey today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a New Jersey prisoner, 
>an ordained Pentecostal minister, who is asking the state to respect his 
>religious freedom by restoring his right to preach.
>
>Howard Thompson Jr. had preached at weekly worship services at the New 
>Jersey State Prison (NJSP) for more than a decade when prison officials 
>last year issued, without any reason, a blanket ban on all preaching by 
>inmates, even when done under the direct supervision of prison staff.
>
>"Ours is a country where people are free to express their religious 
>viewpoints without having to fear repercussions," said Edward Barocas, 
>Legal Director of the ACLU of New Jersey. "The New Jersey State Prison may 
>not deny its prisoners their most basic constitutional rights."
>
>Since he entered NJSP in 1986, Thompson has been an active member of the 
>prison's Christian community, participating in and preaching at Sunday 
>services and other religious events, teaching Bible study classes and 
>founding the choir. His preaching has never caused any security incidents, 
>and the prison's chaplaincy staff has actively supported Thompson and 
>encouraged him to spread his deeply held message of faith.
>
>But in June 2007, prison officials banned all prisoners from engaging in 
>preaching of any kind, without any warning or justification -- which they 
>still have not given.
>
>"I have a religious calling to minister to my fellow inmates, and I've 
>done so honestly, effectively and without incident for years," Thompson 
>said. "All I want is to have my religious liberty restored and to be able 
>to continue working with men who want to renew their lives through the 
>study and practice of their faith."
>
>According to the lawsuit, which names NJSP Administrator Michelle R. Ricci 
>and New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner George W. Hayman as 
>defendants, Thompson first preached a service at NJSP over a decade ago, 
>when he relieved the former Protestant chaplain, who had been unable to 
>lead a scheduled service due to illness.
>
>During the next decade, before he was ordained as a Pentecostal minister, 
>Thompson periodically preached at Sunday services, taught Bible study 
>classes and participated in and led the prison choir he founded. During 
>these years, Thompson received his call to ordained ministry and to 
>preaching and leading others in worship, study, and prayer.
>
>"Prisoners do not forfeit their fundamental right to religious liberty at 
>the prison gate," said Daniel Mach, Director of Litigation for the ACLU 
>Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. "The prison's absolute ban on 
>inmate preaching clearly violates the law and Mr. Thompson's right to 
>practice his faith."
>
>Thompson, ordained in October 2000 during a service at NJSP overseen by 
>the prison's chaplain, sincerely believes it is his religious calling and 
>obligation to preach his Pentecostal faith and is willing to do so under 
>the full supervision of NJSP staff.
>
>This lawsuit is the latest in a long line of ACLU cases defending the 
>fundamental right to religious exercise, a complete 
><http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/www.aclu.org/defendingreligion.htm>list of 
>which is available online.
>
>In 2007, the ACLU of Rhode Island prevailed in a lawsuit challenging a 
>similar restriction on prisoner preaching, successfully overturning a 
>statewide ban and restoring the plaintiff prisoner's right to preach 
>during weekly Christian services.
>
>Read Howard Thompson's 
><http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/www.aclu.org/prison/restrict/37953lgl20081120.html.htm>complaint 
>and 
><http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/www.aclu.org/prison/restrict/37954lgl20081203.html.htm>preliminary 
>injunction brief online.
>
>Learn about the 
><http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/www.aclu.org/religion.htm>ACLU Program on the 
>Freedom of Religion and Belief and the 
><http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/www.aclu-nj.org.htm>ACLU-NJ online.
>
>
>
>
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