Posts by Dutchie

12

Your'e All In Your Own Right - Stars

by invisible in

jw
friends

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* * * * * * * * * * ** ** * ** ** ** *.

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How about some embarrassing 80's pics?

by LyinEyes in

jw
friends

let's post some of our 80's pic, or even further back if you want to.

it would really be fun to see some of you in your finest witness attire, bookbag and all.

baptism pics would be a blast to see.. wild turkey had this idea ,but he already started two threads.

Dutchie

Heaven you're simply gorgeous, big hair and all!

45

We Disassociated Ourselves Tonite!!!

by LyinEyes in

jw
friends

local elder called tonite, with a witness on the phone to ask if it is true we were smoking ?

we said yes, and we know who told on us.

it was a ms who was at the club just last week with another woman, not his wife of course, while she was at the meeting.

Dutchie

Dede and Denny, you two are my heros! What courage of conviction. My hat is off to the two of you and I wish you and your family peace!

6

U.S. Supreme Court supports Religous Sacrifice

by DevonMcBride in

jw
friends

i heard about a horrible case of animal abuse in philadelphia.

the police found decapitated goats, chickens and birds in a trash dumpster near a gas station.

some of these goats were babies and their mouths were tied shut prior to their death.

Certain religions with significant numbers of adherents in the United States practice animal sacrifice. Much controversy and confusion has arisen concerning the state's ability to prohibit the sacrifice of animals in religious ceremonies.

Litigation of this issue has centered on the use of animals in the Santeria religion. Santeria is based on an ancient African religion that metamorphosed into Santeria in the New World. When hundreds of thousands of members of the Yoruba people were brought as slaves from Eastern Africa (mostly modern Nigeria) to Cuba, they were prohibited from practicing their religion openly. In the process of syncretion, Yoruba people mixed their faith with the Catholicism of their captors and owners, and began to practice "Santeria," -- "the way of the saints." Yoruba spirits, "orishas," are given devotion through the iconography of Catholicism. Many Santeria gods have a dual identity with a Catholic saint. Some of the religious rites of Santeria involve the sacrifice of animals.

Sacrifices are performed to mark significant events such as birth, marriage and death, or when new members or priests are initiated. Chickens, goats, doves, pigeons and turtles are among the animals sacrificed. The animals are killed in a ritual manner by cutting the carotid artery. The sacrificed animal may be cooked and eaten, except when used in healing and death rituals.

Cases have recently considered whether, and by what means, a state can prohibit such practices. In 1983, Gary Francione litigated the first case that raised the question whether Santeria animal sacrifice was protected by the free exercise of religion clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The New York courts, in the case entitled First Church of Chango v. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; 134 A.D.2d 971, 521 N.Y.S.2d 356 (Ist Dep't 1987), affirmed, 70 N.Y.2d 616, 521 N.E.2d 443 (1988), ruled that animal sacrifices were not so protected, and could be prohibited under the New York State anti-cruelty law, that is a neutral, generally applicable statute.

The Supreme Court struck down the ordinances by which Hialeah had sought to prohibit animal sacrifice, on the grounds that the ordinances specifically targeted religion in a constitutionally impermissible manner. The Court did not state, however, that a municipality would have to give an exemption from a neutral, generally applicable statute such as the anti-cruelty statute at issue in First Church of Chango, if a municipality wished to use the anti-cruelty statute to stop cruelty to animals in sacrifices.

Gary Francione led the effort to correct the misinterpretation of the opinion that caused prominent humane societies to conclude that Santeria sacrifice was beyond state regulation after the Lukumi Babalu Aye decision. We faxed materials to humane societies across the country after the Supreme Court decision was announced, and Gary Francione published articles, letters and editorials emphasizing that animal sacrifice could still be prevented under state anti-cruelty laws.

We append the amicus curiae brief filed in the United States Supreme Court in the Lukumi Babalu Aye case.

28

Salty Streaks

by joannadandy in

jw
friends

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so what do you do when someone makes you cry?do you let them see?do you pretend you have something in your eye?do you change the subject/blow it off?do you have it out right then and there?do you never speak to them again?do you try and make them cry?

Dutchie

No discreet crying here. I just stand there and cry, blubbering and all.

59

My mommy doesn't want me. . I need a hug

by StinkyPantz in

i sent my mom a letter not too long ago telling her that i wanted my family back.

well, i got a very unexpected response.

she basically said "no".

Dutchie

(((((STINKYPANTZ)))))))

Don't give up hope. Mommy may come to her senses one day.

18

Ahem...Can I ask a question?

by pomegranate in

jw
friends

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well, are ya?

Dutchie

Define "Freak"!

36

I spoke to Joe Anderson...

by Littlebit in

jw
friends

joe anderson thought you'd like to know what caused him to be invited to attend a judicial hearing held in his honor.

fyi, joe sent a copy of his resignation letter to two governing body members, dan sydlik and jack barr, men who joe and barbara were quite friendly with.

he thought that since so much time had passed since barbara's appeal letter was given to the local elders and nothing was happening to bill bowen or barbara, that maybe these gb members were holding things up because of receiving his letter and giving more thought to the whole issue.

Dutchie

This is indeed sad news.

After giving so many years of your life to an organization and now to find out that it was all unappreciated and that you can be dismissed simply for acting nobly on behalf of the most vulnerable in our midst is reprehensible.

However, try as they might, the governing body will not be able to silent all those who will rise up against it. Bill, the Andersons, the Pandelos and others of their ilk will soon have their vindication. I believe it will come from a most unexpecfted source.

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