Friday, September 16, 2011

SWARTZENTRUBER'S SENTENCED TO JAIL



Nine Amish were sentenced to jail in Kentucky for breaking a state law that requires them to put orange signs on their horse-drawn buggies.

The triangular signs are required as a safety warning to indiciate slow-moving vehicles. But the men refused to comply with the law because their religious beliefs forbid them from wearing bright colors, The Courier-Journal reported.

The men, from a strict Amish sect called Old Order Swartzentruber, used reflective tape as a substitute, because the triangle is a symbol restricted for the Holy Trinity, CNN said. [nice video]

Eight of the men began serving sentences in Mayfield ranging from three to 10 days after refusing on Monday to pay a fine for the misdemeanors. The ninth man's fine was paid by a self-described "concerned citizen" so the protesting Amish man could be with a sick child, TV station WPSD said.

As a courtesy, they were provided with dark uniforms instead of the usual bright orange garb worn by inmates.

The local chapter of the American Civil LIberties Union has taken up their cause by representing them since 2008, when they were first convicted, according to the station. They've appealed the conviction to the Kentucky Supreme Court, but the state's high court hasn't decided if it will hear the case, The Courier-Journal said.

h/t to Ross Bender 

Click here  for the story with the mug shots.



ht/ to Scott Bolan

5 comments:

Sloping Forehead said...

If their foreheads aren't sloping, they should be.

Bizzy Brain said...

Whatever happened to "render unto Caesar"?

DES said...

BB - I suggest that you read this essay for a careful analysis of the scripture you are quoting:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig11/barr-j1.1.1.html

In summary: "The pro-tax position of the Tribute Episode is not supportable historically, rhetorically, contextually, or within the confines of the Catholic Church’s own understanding. As Dorothy Day is reputed to have said, "If we rendered unto God all the things that belong to God, there would be nothing left for Caesar."

Bizzy Brain said...

All I know is what I read in Romans 13:1-7.
"1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also PAY TAXES, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."

DES said...

Bizzy - you identify your problem in your opening sentence! :-) Surely you know more that what Paul was trying to say 2000 years ago about how to deal with the Romans.