Ohio Judge Frees Man After Bible Quiz.

Robert43 said:

his attorney described him as a church-goer, hoping the judge would set a low bond.

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I hope the judge didn't actually do this (I got no idea if US$10,000 is a high, low or normal bond for such offences), its highly discriminatory against non-christians and there is absolutely no statistical evidence I am aware of that would suggest church goes are less likely to commit crimes or skip bail/whatever. I doubt this would be allowed in Australia (at least I HOPE not...)

ScMay said:

I hope the judge didn't actually do this (I got no idea if US$10,000 is a high, low or normal bond for such offences), its highly discriminatory against non-christians and there is absolutely no statistical evidence I am aware of that would suggest church goes are less likely to commit crimes or skip bail/whatever. I doubt this would be allowed in Australia (at least I HOPE not...)

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For credit card fraud? 10k is pretty normal... at least it would be in my area.

Robert43 said:

CINCINNATI - A man arrested on Wednesday for allegedly trying to use a stolen credit card at a drugstore got a break from a judge after passing a sort of Bible quiz.

When Eric Hine appeared in court this morning, his attorney described him as a church-goer, hoping the judge would set a low bond.

Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge John Burlew was skeptical and asked Hine to recite the 23rd Psalm.

http://home.peoplepc.com/psp/newsst...0070425/462ed240_3421_13345200704251826954673

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And people wonder why we have so much crime in this country. We're always cutting low-lifes too much slack.

If that story is true then the Judge should be removed from office for making knowledge of the bible a reason for lenient treatment.

Come on..... If they guy had been Islamic would you complain if the judge asked him to recite part of the Koran?

This isn't about Chrisianity, it's about community involvement as evidenced by this person's profession of being a churchgoer and using that as a way to show that he is a minimum flight risk.

Give it a break!

Bob
Spearfish, SD

Robert43 said:

CINCINNATI - A man arrested on Wednesday for allegedly trying to use a stolen credit card at a drugstore got a break from a judge after passing a sort of Bible quiz.

When Eric Hine appeared in court this morning, his attorney described him as a church-goer, hoping the judge would set a low bond.

Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge John Burlew was skeptical and asked Hine to recite the 23rd Psalm.

http://home.peoplepc.com/psp/newsst...0070425/462ed240_3421_13345200704251826954673

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The question was wholly irrelevant in the first place. Churchgoing should have no influence in decisions, the judge should have ignored the attorney's inclusion. I am not familiar with the standard bail, but the fact that it was an appearance bond does smell. If it could be shown that the judge was lenient that may be grounds for being disbarred.

Again, it's about proving community involvement! It has nothing to do with Christianity, just proving that a person is involved with the community, which is an accepted standard for evaluating flight risk when it comes to bond.

Bob
Spearfish, SD

Having memorized psalm 23 is hardly a measuring stick of being a church-goer or of being a part of the community.

How utterly weird. Memorising the Bible doesn't make you a Christian.

BrBob said:

Come on..... If they guy had been Islamic would you complain if the judge asked him to recite part of the Koran?

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Yes

This isn't about Chrisianity, it's about community involvement as evidenced by this person's profession of being a churchgoer and using that as a way to show that he is a minimum flight risk.

Give it a break!

Bob
Spearfish, SD

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The judge will need to prove that to me before I let him off the hook for giving preference to someone who knows the bible.

BrBob said:

Come on..... If they guy had been Islamic would you complain if the judge asked him to recite part of the Koran?

This isn't about Chrisianity, it's about community involvement as evidenced by this person's profession of being a churchgoer and using that as a way to show that he is a minimum flight risk.

Give it a break!

Bob
Spearfish, SD

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A note from a pastor that this person does indeed attend regularly and is involved with the church would have been better proof that he would be a low flight risk.

I haven’t attended church in years and I can quote tons of bible verses. I can quote from many holy books—but that does not prove that I attend those religious services. All it proves is that I read and memorized those books/verses.

So if that was the logic behind that judge’s decision, then he needs to go back to logic 101.

BrBob said:

Come on..... If they guy had been Islamic would you complain if the judge asked him to recite part of the Koran?

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Uh... you're kidding right? Of course I'd have a problem with it, although I probably wouldn't bother complaining since most of the Islamic world is so blatantly theocratic and filled with injustice that there is little point highlighting what would be a minor incident relative to what normally happens (though it does depend on the country, Indonesia is far better than Saudi Arabia for example).

Seriously though do you really have such a blatant persecution complex? "Oh no, I'm the Christian majority stop picking on me and attack someone else, you're all just a big conspiracy out to get me" - that's the type of person you appear to me as, its not a flattering image.

This isn't about Chrisianity, it's about community involvement as evidenced by this person's profession of being a churchgoer and using that as a way to show that he is a minimum flight risk.

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Then the judge should have asked about things concerning community involvement, going to church is NOT community involvement. Being INVOLVED in the church in some way can be, I fail to see what bible verses have to do with involvement in the church community. I have been to many church visits and just showing up requires no community involvement. By your own logic the judge and lawyer were still wrong.

I highly doubt however that was the reasoning for the lawyer mentioning it, when people normally (or the media) say someone is a 'churchgoer' they normally are trying to imply they are involved with their religion (nothing to do with community) and are thus very moral (which for obvious reasons annoys me).

Maynard Keenan said:

Having memorized psalm 23 is hardly a measuring stick of being a church-goer or of being a part of the community.

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No joke. I know alot of non-Christians that know that one. Very standard at funerals. I'm wondering if it's the only pslam the judge knew down pat, so that one was chosen.

The headline is misleading. The man is not "free". He is "out on bail". There's a difference.

Considering the over-crowding in jails, and the severity of the crime, it might have been a reasonable action by the judge.

OhhJim said:

The headline is misleading. The man is not "free". He is "out on bail". There's a difference.

Considering the over-crowding in jails, and the severity of the crime, it might have been a reasonable action by the judge.

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The problem is not that he got out on bail but the implication that he may have gotten more lenient treatment due to his bible knowledge, I'm not sure whether this occurred (I'm not very knowledgeable about US law & sentencing) but the judge should never have entertained the idea in the first place.

Welcome to the United States of Hypocrisy.

Come on..... If they guy had been Islamic would you complain if the judge asked him to recite part of the Koran?

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Um, yes.

As I would be if he asked an atheist the Scriven Extension Principle.

The guy is now back in custody for trying to use a stolen credit card AGAIN.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070427/NEWS01/304270033