Crusade to take gospel into state prisons begins (Florida)

[Judi Lynn]

Crusade to take gospel into state prisons begins

By Megan O'Matz
Staff Writer
Posted April 17 2004

Over the course of decades, reformers have sought to steer juvenile delinquents down the right path by scaring them straight, employing "behavior modification" techniques, or prompting them to consider the impact on victims through "restorative justice.' Now, Florida is embracing yet another approach, referred to by its promoters as "the Jesus method."

Beginning today for the next week, 10 of the state's lockups for young offenders will open their doors to a group of evangelical Christians, who intend to spread God's message of love and hope to budding criminals by, basically, putting on a show. Among the entertainers: a hip-hop artist named "Test," a Globetrotter-like basketball handler, and a karate expert who will rest a potato on the back of a volunteer's neck and cut it in half with a sword, like a samurai warrior, while blindfolded.

"Every performer will say I committed my heart to Jesus Christ and that's what means everything to me," said Don Smarto, president of Youth Direct, a Texas-based nonprofit that is organizing the tour, which includes stops at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center; the Florida Institute for Girls in West Palm Beach; and Thompson Academy and the South Pines Juvenile Residential Facility, both located in Pembroke Pines.

At the same time, a national network of 24 Christian faith-based groups called Operation Starting Line will pour into Florida's adult prisons, reaching 21,000 inmates with a similar show featuring comedians, ex-offenders, musicians and athletes, such as boxer Marvis Frazier, the eldest son of former heavyweight champ "Smokin'" Joe Frazier. Backers of the event include the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Campus Crusade for Christ, Promise Keepers and Prison Fellowship, a national prison outreach program started by former Watergate felon Chuck Colson.
(snip/...)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cjesus17apr17,0,1115623.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

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Will convicts who "convert" get their voting rights reinstated after completing their sentences?

[kalian]

1. OK then... Other religions should have the same access rights....

I think its fair. Allow those behind walls to choose which religion
fits their life.

[Gildor Inglorion]

2. What a GREAT idea!

I feel the urge to form the Church of St. Priapus and go forth spreading the "good news" to our felonius brethren. Prisons should be good recruiting centers. On the downside, I fear they'd have little to contribute in the way of financial help. Oh, well...can't have everything.

[AspenRose]

5. They do....

as it appears there is an increase in the number of incarcerated black men converting to Islam.

As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this "tactic" was being seen by quite a few righties as a means of trying to curb "terra" by re-converting said Islamic converts to Christianity.

Personally, as a Christian (who has been involved in the Kairos Prison Ministry program), if that is indeed their motivation (and I can't judge because I don't know their heart), they're going about this all wrong.

[madrchsod]

3. what a joke

little show for the kiddies..see children,what JESUS can do for you!!!!

[short bus president]

4. What a waste.

Boxers, comedians, martial arts experts, and musicians, sure, but WHERE ARE THE FREAKIN' BUNNY WHIPPERS?!?

[cliss]

6. I wonder if these motivated evangelicals will say,

"There but for the grace of God, go I".

Ho Hum. Yawn. This has been tried before. Many downtown missions have shelters for the homeless. They feed them, provide them with a room, warmth and temporary security. But -- it comes with a price. These Prodigal Sons have to show solidarity to the mission. They sing songs at dinner, they pray and make a commitment to turning their lives over.

Many of them are just acting because that's the price of admission for a "free" dinner.

[Chicago Democrat]

7. Jesus would say "FuckYOU"

He doesn't like brainwashing or "crusades".

[joefree1]

8. So much for separation of Church and State

"History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes." "In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. It is error alone that needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself."
-Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) The third President of the United States (1801-1809)

[swinney]

9. Shades of Karla Faye Tucker

Exactly what she requested of Bushgod who laughed "I don't want to die".

This is a godly Man? This is a good man?

This is a sick Recovering Alcoholic

[Toucano]

10. Jesus?! Why hasn't someone tried this before now?

Oh, wait.

They've been trying it for 2,000 years and it hasn't worked yet.

So much for trying something new, I guess. :)

[saskatoon]

11. Participation?

Is everybody welcome? How about us Deists and Unitarians etc. Bet they wouldn't get very far. Wonder what excuse would be given to not let them participate.

[no_hypocrisy]

12. Christ, can these people get a break?! They're already being punished.

[GoldenOldie]

13. Evangelical Delinquents

These fundies just can't get it right. Their reasoning for health care for the fetus.....canceled upon birth. No funding for any form of child care be it for health or education yet extremely important to convert these same individuals who have fallen through the cracks and are now residing in the prison system. They are a day late and a few screws loose.