Belief is its own reward
At the moment convicted British prisoners can’t vote although a change in the law is under consideration for those whose sentence is less than four years. Why is a real and tangible process such as voting denied to them when something as frivolous as faith is permitted?
It seems that all religions, even the weirdest ones, are well respected in British prisons and prisoners of even minority faiths are furbished with all sorts of accessories and privileges so that they can “worship”.
Pagans can have a hood-less robe, a flexible twig for a wand, incense, jewellery and rune stones. They are also allowed to have Tarot cards as long as a “risk assessment” is made by the prison authorities and no prisoner uses their Tarot cards for fortune-telling with other prisoners. In addition to being allowed to have all this stuff, pagans can choose two holidays per year, from a list, when they are excused from work. This list of days includes Samhain, as Hallowe’en is know in paganism, the vernal equinox and the midsummer solstice.
According to figures published this month the population breakdown of faiths in British prisons is as follows:
26,000 Atheist
23,000 Anglican
14,000 Roman Catholic
9,795 Muslim
366 Pagan
340 Rastafarian
6 Nation of Islam
Ignoring the fact that Judaism seems to have been left out of the figures all together it is interesting to note that the majority of prisoners are atheists. Does this mean that there is a greater tendency towards criminality among atheists? I hope not.
I don’t know whether I am in favour of prisoners being given voting rights as it is not something I’ve really ever thought about enough to have formulated an opinion. I am very surprised however that our society affords even prisoners so much respect for their belief in the supernatural.
See:
“Privileges ease spell in prison for pagans”
(The Times 01.08.09)
Filed under: Atheism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Paganism, Religion, Special Religious Dispensation, Prison, Voting Rights
The Emperor Wears No Clothes 
While kidnapped Israeli soldier Gillad Shalit has now spent over three years without anyone having access to knowing what conditions he is imprisoned in, many Palestinians and other security prisoners in Israeli jails are studying and receiving degrees from the Open University.
Some of the prisoners who have received a diploma or are still studying are affiliated with Hamas.
Security prisoners jailed in Israel enjoy further generous benefits, including hot water all day long, ventilators, a television with all Arab channels, and the option to borrow books from the prison library. In addition, each prisoner has a walkman, a radio and a budget for the jail’s canteen.
The security prisoners are allowed the send four letters a month and receive an unlimited number of letters. They are entitled to a family visit once every two weeks, and are allowed to have their picture taken by the prison’s photographer and to send the photo to their families.
Additional benefits include a daily morning exercise and regular medical treatments, including dental care and a visit by an optician.
Isn’t it time more efffort was made by the International Red Cross to put some flesh on the bones of their press recent press release which called on Hamas to give them the access they are entitled to by the rules applying to prisoners of war?