Sex offenders sue, cite Indiana's religious objections law

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Sex offenders sue, cite Indiana's religious objections law

By TOM DAVIES
2 hours ago

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A lawsuit filed on behalf of two registered sex offenders cites Indiana's new religious objections law in arguing they've been wrongly prohibited from worshipping at churches that have schools on the same property.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed the lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of two unnamed sex offenders, one of whom belongs to a Fort Wayne church and another who has attended an Elkhart church.

The lawsuit claims that a new state law banning many sex offenders from going onto school property at any time presents an unjustified burden on the men's religious liberties under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Ken Falk, the ACLU of Indiana's legal director, called the additional sex offender restrictions absurd.

"The Legislature passes a law which says sex offenders cannot go into schools and it is being applied to people who are going to church or other religious observances during a time that there's no school in session," Falk said. "The law prohibits them from walking on that property — it's a felony to do so."

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/sex-offenders-sue-cite-indianas-religious-objections-law-215311563.html

[AtheistCrusader]

1. The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.

They just don't understand they can't shelter their religious bigotry with legal statutes without giving cover to all sorts of shenanigans.

Because religion isn't unique, special, or important in any way that can be distinguished from an opinion.

[longship]

2. Well put, AC.

You've hit the crux of their argument. Like most things, absolute ideologies have blow back.

[cbayer]

3. Very interesting cases.

I think the ACLU has a good position here. If the school is not in session, why should they be restricted from the property?