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Texas Bars All Clergy From Execution Chambers Following Supreme Court Decision
Aleteia ^ | 4/4/19 | Zelda Caldwell

Posted on 04/05/2019 5:12:29 PM PDT by marshmallow

Only security personnel will be allowed in the execution room

In the wake of two seemingly contradictory Supreme Court decisions regarding the presence of spiritual advisers at executions, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has announced that all clergy will be banned from execution chambers.

Effective immediately, security personnel are the only people allowed to be present at such proceedings.

The move follows a Supreme Court ruling last week that stopped the execution of Patrick Henry Murphy after his request to have a Buddhist spiritual adviser present was denied by authorities in Texas. At the time, the policy stated that only state-employed clergy were allowed to be present, and no Buddhist spiritual advisers were employed by the state.

Last month justices allowed an execution in Alabama to go forward after an Alabama prison had barred a Muslim man’s imam from the execution chamber.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) applauded the latest Supreme Court order, saying, “This is good news, but we can’t forget this is the same court that denied a Muslim man the same right just last month.”

“People of all faiths are entitled to religious freedom,” said the ACLU on Twitter.

“Chaplains and Ministers/Spiritual Advisors designated by the offender may observe the execution only from the witness rooms,” read a statement released by the Texas justice department on Wednesday.

(Excerpt) Read more at aleteia.org ...


TOPICS: Current Events; General Discusssion; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: aclu; deathpenalty; patrickhenrymurphy; scotus; supremecourt; texas
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1 posted on 04/05/2019 5:12:29 PM PDT by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow

Smart move.


2 posted on 04/05/2019 5:17:57 PM PDT by House Atreides (Boycott the NFL 100% — PERMANENTLY)
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To: marshmallow

This is totally unfair and unconstitutional. They should execute the clergy (if convicted) JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!


3 posted on 04/05/2019 5:18:53 PM PDT by BipolarBob (I got dozens of friends and the fun never ends that is, as long as I'm buying)
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To: marshmallow

4 posted on 04/05/2019 5:19:48 PM PDT by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: marshmallow

I’m thinking executions take far to long. If convicted in court and especially if you plead guilty to a capital offense, you should be dead before you leave the courtroom.


5 posted on 04/05/2019 5:23:39 PM PDT by maddog55
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To: maddog55

And what if there’s a mistake, and you were wrongly/mistakenly convicted?


6 posted on 04/05/2019 5:27:40 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it")
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To: Jamestown1630

Shxt Happens


7 posted on 04/05/2019 5:31:39 PM PDT by maddog55
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To: BipolarBob

I was thinking of a priest being able to deliver last rites...I don’t know if there is such a thing in Buddhism.


8 posted on 04/05/2019 5:36:51 PM PDT by scrabblehack
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To: maddog55

I sincerely hope that it never happens to You.


9 posted on 04/05/2019 5:42:30 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it")
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To: Jamestown1630; maddog55
I sincerely hope that it never happens to You.

And it could happen to any of us. Something you seem to realize, but there are number of "just fry 'em" keyboard warriors here on FR. There are innocent people in jail. Certainly a small minority, but it happens.

10 posted on 04/05/2019 5:58:32 PM PDT by TexasKamaAina
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To: marshmallow

Who cares if he wanted a Buddist “preacher” in the chamber. That just highlights to God and Jesus that he worshiped false idols and gods, not a good send off for anyone wanting Heaven.


11 posted on 04/05/2019 6:03:26 PM PDT by Midwesterner53
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To: Fiddlstix

ACLU: Anti Christian Lawyers Union


12 posted on 04/05/2019 6:04:19 PM PDT by Midwesterner53
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To: marshmallow

Patrick Murphy is the next to last living member of the so called “Texas 7” who escaped in 2000 and murdered a police officer while on the run in Irving. He was already serving a 50 year sentence for rape when the breakout occurred.


13 posted on 04/05/2019 6:07:09 PM PDT by dainbramaged (If you want a friend, rescue a pit bull.)
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To: TexasKamaAina

Quote~ I sincerely hope that it never happens to You.

And it could happen to any of us. Something you seem to realize, but there are number of “just fry ‘em” keyboard warriors here on FR. There are innocent people in jail. Certainly a small minority, but it happens.

__________________________________________________________

I agree, in fact I think the ground work is being laid....

Rev. 13:15-18

15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.


14 posted on 04/05/2019 6:07:36 PM PDT by patriot torch
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To: marshmallow

Typical state response. Don’t like a religion ban all ministers.

Easy to control the people in the chamber. Been to 6 places with death rows in 6 states.

People here fall for a bureaucratic section too easy.

Lastly and counter point notice the judge did not stop corrections from banning, just equal. Usually in court security needs trump everything else.


15 posted on 04/05/2019 6:10:49 PM PDT by morphing libertarian ( Use Comey's Report; Indict Hillary now; build Kate's wall. --- Proud Smelly Walmart Deplorable)
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To: maddog55

“you should be dead before you leave the courtroom”

There is a huge BIOHAZARD associated with that idea. Better to transport to facility that can carry it out with proper gear available.

I agree though. If there were witnesses or if there is video or if there’s a whole bunch of other stuff available to sentence without a doubt, why are we waiting so long 2 carry out Justice? It is absolutely ridiculous.


16 posted on 04/05/2019 6:16:57 PM PDT by Clutch Martin (The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right.)
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To: TexasKamaAina

I read a book many years ago, written by a physician who had to oversee executions at Sing Sing in the early-to-mid-20th Century. I’ve never been able to find that book again, but the doctor made a very good case for his opinion that the death penalty was NOT a deterrent.

The book affected me profoundly - still trying to find it again - but I’m affected even more by my spiritual beliefs, and my belief in the possibility of salvation.

If we keep a man alive, he may still be in jail for the rest of his life, but he has time to understand, atone, reconcile, and perhaps redeem himself. If you just kill him, you’ve done nothing for him, for God, for anyone or anything except your primitive need for Revenge - and the Lord has already told us of His prerogative regarding Vengeance.

(And God help us when we accidentally kill innocent men for the sake of such a small and backward ‘need’ as revenge.)


17 posted on 04/05/2019 6:26:49 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it")
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To: Midwesterner53

You are gonna be shocked when “god” either laughs at you or slaps you for not “getting it” when you finally meet him. He will send you back so fast, you will have to endure all six AOC administrations.


18 posted on 04/05/2019 6:28:55 PM PDT by Vermont Lt (If we get Medicare for all, will we have to show IDs for service? Why?)
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To: TexasKamaAina

I support the the death penalty, but it also must be remembered that when people are on trial for capital crimes, they are trusting their life to a lawyer, who likely can’t be trusted with two dollars. I also believe the old saying that it is far better to let a guilty man go free, than to execute an innocent man.


19 posted on 04/05/2019 6:29:30 PM PDT by Quickgun (I got here kicking,screaming and covered in someone else's blood. I can go out that way if I have to)
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To: marshmallow

And that’s the way you do it.
If they haven’t made amends before they enter the chamber...oh well.


20 posted on 04/05/2019 6:34:59 PM PDT by weston (As far s I'm concerned, it's Christ or nothing)
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