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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSnyder OKs jail for disrupting religious service
The governor's office said Wednesday that the new law includes a sentence of up to 93 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for disrupting a worship service. The law increases the possible fine to $5,000 for repeat offenders.
First-time offenders could also face up to 100 hours of mandatory community service, while repeaters could get up to 200 hours.
Snyder says freedom of religion deserves government protection because it's "one of the founding principles of this country."
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Snyder-OKs-jail-for-disrupting-religious-service/-/1719418/15329194/-/la0t67/-/index.html
The text of the bill:
A PERSON SHALL NOT DO ANY OF THE
6 FOLLOWING:
7 (A) ENTER OR ATTEMPT TO ENTER ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY WHERE THE
8 PERSON KNOWS PEOPLE ARE MEETING OR ARE INTENDING TO MEET IN THE
9 PURSUIT OF THEIR FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION WITH THE INTENT TO
10 DISRUPT THAT MEETING.
11 (B) AFTER BEING INSTRUCTED TO LEAVE, REMAIN ON OR ATTEMPT TO
1 REMAIN ON ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY 1 WHERE THE PERSON KNOWS PEOPLE ARE
2 MEETING OR ARE INTENDING TO MEET IN THE PURSUIT OF THEIR FREE
3 EXERCISE OF RELIGION WITH THE INTENT TO DISRUPT THAT MEETING.
4 (C) INTENTIONALLY OBSTRUCT OR ATTEMPT TO OBSTRUCT THE ENTRANCE
5 TO OR EXIT FROM ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY WHERE THE PERSON KNOWS PEOPLE
6 ARE MEETING OR ARE INTENDING TO MEET IN THE PURSUIT OF THEIR FREE
7 EXERCISE OF RELIGION WITH THE INTENT TO DISRUPT OR PREVENT THAT
8 MEETING.
9 (2) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A
10 MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE AS FOLLOWS:
11 (A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (B), BY 1 OR MORE OF THE
12 FOLLOWING:
13 (i) IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN 93 DAYS.
14 (ii) A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $1,000.00.
15 (iii) NOT MORE THAN 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
16 (B) IF THE PERSON HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONVICTED OF VIOLATING
17 THIS SECTION, BY 1 OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:
18 (i) IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN 93 DAYS.
19 (ii) A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $5,000.00.
20 (iii) NOT MORE THAN 200 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
21 Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect September
22 1, 2012.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billconcurred/House/pdf/2012-HCB-5560.pdf
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)Here in Georgia I have never had a problem with anyone interrupting religious services at my church or when I have attended synagogue with one of my Jewish friends. I haven't attended a Muslim service.
I have a hard time imagining this was such as big problem that it required a law.
Pathwalker
(6,600 posts)we're not allowed to say the word vagina.
Denninmi
(6,581 posts)Because that rolls off my tongue a lot these days.
Pathwalker
(6,600 posts)Hey, 'm still hoping Mittens chooses him as his VP candidate.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,370 posts)I can't wait for the poutrage if that happens.
No fan of any religion here but the biggest oppressors of other people's religious beliefs are the christian fundies who embrace such a stupid law.
rfranklin
(13,200 posts)I have often encountered that disruption.
leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)cynatnite
(31,011 posts)demmiblue
(36,920 posts)"State Rep. Deb Shaughnessy, R-Charlotte, says she's reacting to an incident in 2008 at Mt. Hope Church in Delta Township, west of Lansing. Items were thrown at people, and fire alarms were activated." State Rep. Shaughnessy (R, of course) is the bill's sponsor.
Yep, a single incident.