Posted on 06/26/2005 5:25:11 PM PDT by wagglebee
A traffic stop in Greer, S.C., this month is turning into a holy war of sorts, as a practicing Druid couple claim they were targeted by a Christian police officer who tried to convert them away from their pagan belief.
Debra and Tony Gainey say they were pulled over because they had a bumper sticker reading "It's A Druid Thing."
Tony Gainey was driving at the time of the stop June 10 and was taken into custody on charges of driving with a suspended license, operating a vehicle with an improper tag and failure to have proof of insurance.
"The reason they were stopped was the tag was improper on the vehicle," Greer police Lt. Cris Varner told WHNS-TV.
But Debra Gainey, a minister at the local Emerald Sanctuary Druidic Church, believes it was the druid sticker that prompted the traffic stop, as evinced by the conversation with officer Tony Stewart.
"[Stewart said], 'Did those bumper stickers come on the car or did you put them on?' and I said I put them on," Debra said.
She says the officer asked if she knew what they meant.
"So he started talking to me about God and Jesus Christ. ... I just felt like he was really getting into it, I had never expected to actually follow-up with a letter or anything."
According to Mrs. Gainey, the officer sent a card and letter to her home address days later.
"In this letter, he promises our problems will continue unless we listen to the words of the Baptists," she told the station. "We're feeling like those are threats."
"It's just kind of flabbergasting to be told that because it says Druid that we were singled out," she continued. "I don't think it's a matter of his religion or my religion, it's a matter of violation of our Constitution and trying to take that away our freedom that we are guaranteed."
The Gaineys have filed a civil-rights complaint, and the matter is now under investigation.
"The issue is the stop," police chief Dan Reynolds told the Greenville News. "Did they stop them because of the stickers? That's what we're trying to determine in our investigation. What was the reason for the stop?"
Hell, every day for almost four years, the leftist media has been telling us that Islam is "peaceful," and the fact that they do not have one single example of their "pacifism" is irrelevant.
He's clearly a busybody nutcase. If some weird volunteer cop started harassing me with unsolicited mail to my home address after a questionable stop, I'd be PO'd too. The guy should be off the job immediately.
LOL!!!! Great, just great.
Part of letter:
But I am ordained in the Baptist church. And for whatever reason, God is calling you to listen to words from the Baptists. This is clear!
If you deny this, then you are pushing away the hand of God and that would not be wise. Too many events were manipulated by God to bring us together to be a coincidence. Actually, I only police every 2nd Friday night, so just being on duty was rare.
You must respond to the words he wants you to hear. And you must be patient and faithful. It may tales weeks or month of obedience to learn the steps that it will take to get you back on the road to prosperity.
One visit, a few prayers and an occasional opening of his Bible will not be enough. You must be prepared to make some serious changes and do so now! You may not get another intercession.
Who knows? But you must admit that you've been contacted by God! And you must respond.
His letter is harassment.
I really agree with you. Sending them a letter about his religion is WAY unprofessional and violates boundaries. I expect the police to enforce the laws, to be courteous and professional.I really do not need to hear their personal opinions about ANYTHING. and yes this could be a problem, cause the officer does not understand his role and legalities.
Yes youre right , sums it up perfectly
Surprised it took 5 posts to get there :)
There's plenty of idiodicy to go around on this one. Cop's an idiot for proselytizing, Druids are idiots for not keeping their tabs and such in order.
And honestly, what kind of moron puts anything like this in WRITING? If he would have simply done it at the stop or something like that, he might have gotten away with it.
I really do not like that he sent them a letter..if true that makes me angry. IF they got tickets for breaking the law- that is one thing- sending them a letter about their religious beliefs is out of control.
It could've been worse--the cop could've been a scientologist.
"License and registration... and those pills had better be vitamins!"
Maybe. We only have her word for it and we see how honest they are:
charges of driving with a suspended license, operating a vehicle with an improper tag and failure to have proof of insurance.
We have no idea what THEY said to him. Did they ask for info so they could pull this stunt? It's possible.
It is if you get stopped because of a bumper sticker that reflects your faith.
I think the improper tag was a good reason. Obviously these people don't.
(Obi Wan): "These aren't the Druids you are looking for, They can pass"...
No reason was given for the stop and when I asked I was told there had been none.
Sorry. I don't buy it.
We had documents in the glove box verifying insurance coverage from the time the car was purchased until the beginning of this year, but we had insurance, the papers were just at home.
Just full of "butbutbut".
Oh please! This just sounds too strange. I'm having a hard time buying their story. No. I don't think cops are always right but these people are guilty in their own words.
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