Texas inmates enroll in prison-based seminary

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Texas inmates enroll in prison-based seminary
MICHAEL GRACZYK, Associated Press
Updated 07:24 p.m., Monday, August 29, 2011

ROSHARON, Texas (AP) — Thirty-nine men in identical white uniforms bowed their heads, sang, laughed, clapped, cheered and prayed as they were formally installed Monday as the state's first class of seminarians studying to become ministers under a new program operating totally behind prison walls.

"Most of us in here haven't done anything good in our lives," Bible student Javier Sanchez, 33, of Houston, said. "It's life changing. It's like there's still hope."

Like his fellow seminarians assembled for a convocation at the chapel of the Darrington Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Sanchez wears the white suit of a Texas prison inmate. He has at least 10 years left on a lengthy prison term before he becomes eligible for parole, hasn't been involved in serious trouble since his imprisonment, has a high school diploma or equivalent and has shown an aptitude that he can succeed in completing the four-year program that leads to a bachelor's degree in Biblical studies.

~snip~
Armed with his degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, he'll be assigned to a Texas prison to minister to the spiritual needs of fellow inmates.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/article/Texas-inmates-enroll-in-prison-based-seminary-2145495.php

[sofa king]

1. I'm trying to decide which Oz joke to make.

I guess when one is in doubt, the safe bet is Luke Perry, right?

[LuvNewcastle]

2. Some of the most religious people

you'll ever meet are in the jails and prisons. They aren't very tolerant of non-believers, either, which makes them excellent fundies.

[DBoon]

5. so they are perhaps another prison gang?

complete with christian tattoos?

[LuvNewcastle]

8. A lot of them have crosses tattooed on themselves

before they get arrested for murder, or whatever, and they aren't a gang unto themselves, but make up a majority of each of the various gangs. They're religious people who constantly engage in anti-social behavior.

[jbeing]

3. Hallelujah! Praise Be!

Swear to God I didn't do the crime, but still I'm saved - just in case I might have!

"I'd never seen so many people serving life sentences with smiles on their face," Whitmire said.

Woo-Hoo! Now, I can pray away the stay. Be a penitent in a penitentiary and push my religious conviction down the throat of convicts with impunity. Praise the lord and pass the parole!

"This is like draft day in the NFL and y'all are first-round draft picks," Patrick told the prisoners, who cheered.

That's the power of a bachelor's degree in creationism.

"We're all in it together, studying to allow the word of God to produce fruits of spirit."

To say this is backward and a scam doesn't do it justice. Changing a life and a soul isn't that easy. Fundamentalists would like to think so. They think it's an amen (aha) moment of spiritual clarity. It's not. It's hard work and admitting you did something wrong. It's accepting responsibility, feeling shame and remorse, and trying to make amends with those you have hurt. The first step is humility. Only then can you start the path back. Religion is not the path. It's pathological. A non-reality show that allows criminals to NOT feel remorse, which should include a private "oh no, what have I done?" moment. Now, this god and pony show will enrich preachers' pockets and politicians' poll numbers, while pretending to do good. Good God, ya'll!

Stayed tuned for "Prisoner Preachers." I once was lost, but now am found...who knows, maybe we'll discover the next Situation in a privately-run prison. Don't do the crime, if you can't do the prime time.

"God blessed me by pushing my application through," said Authement, locked up since August 2005 for a murder in Austin. "I'm hoping this will have a positive effect on society."

Guess false hope is better than no hope at all.

[asjr]

4. Just when I think I have heard everything. . .

[MineralMan]

6. "I'd testify, but I'll have to stand on my 5th Amendment rights."

Seriously, I can see some of these "ministers" coming out of prison and "testifying" in little churches all over the country. Some people will even believe them.

[blkmusclmachine]

7. RW Religion poisons a working mind (IMO).

n/t

[SoapBox]

12. Ditto. nt

[Bill McBlueState]

9. and of course it's a conservative seminary

If it were a mainline Protestant seminary, we could expect the inmates to get a well-rounded education out of the experience and maybe improve their character while they're at it. Instead, they're just being indoctrinated into fundamentalism.

[jbeing]

10. Totally Agree

But why does it always have to be about religion?

Does becoming a better person require dogma?

[duhneece]

11. That's what I was hoping when I read the headline

I thought, "If a Presbyterian/Lutheran/Methodist/Episcopalian seminary could provide spiritual education, that would be a good thing. Learning opens minds. But I hate to see a condemning, non-inclusive hateful religion taught.

[Angry Dragon]

13. What struck me in the article

'with a 45-year sentence for aggravated robbery'

seems like a long time for the crime
bankers get a lite slap on the wrist if anything

[jwirr]

14. Is tax money being used for this?

[No Elephants]

15. You betcha!

[jwirr]

16. Great I hope it is only Texas tax payers who are getting soaked.

Someone ought to sue because this is just another way to convert people into the rethug party.

[Odin2005]

17. GRRRRRR!!!

:grr: