[Newspoetry] religious liberty for kids in SD

[DL Emerick]

NOTICED THIS LITTLE GEM WHILE READING CRIMINAL STATUTES OF SOUTH DAKOTA..............................................

22-19B-5.   (Section effective July 1, 2006) Compelling practice of religion--Misdemeanor. Any person who intentionally attempts, by threats or violence, to compel another person to adopt, practice, or profess any particular form of religious belief is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (SL 2005, ch 120, § 288, provides for the transfer of § 22-27-2 on July 1, 2006. It has been renumbered as this section.)

Source: SDC 1939, § 13.1703; SL 1976, ch 158, § 27-2; SDCL, § 22-27-2; SL 2005, ch 120, §§ 287, 288.
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Now, I know many a kid (and all kids are persons under the law) who has been compelled, by threats or violence, within the meaning of the law, to adopt, profess or practice [some] form of religion belief.

And, notice, the person to be charged with such crime need only "intentionally attempt" to compel the child to, say, get up on Sunday morning and go to church, by violence or threats (no allowance if you don't go to church, Susie; or Mommie dearest will be sad if you don't go (emotionalism, implying a threat to cut off love between Mother and Child)).

I think this is a great law of religious liberty for those most vulnerable to the religious monstering of their parents (or custodial guardians).  Children of the world, unite... well, at least those in South Dakota!  The law proclaims you free!  Seize the day of liberty for yourselves!  And send your criminal parents, slaves to some religious thinking, to jail, today!

Hurry now and claim this special offer before the legislature wakes and realizes what their law says!

When coupled with the power of injunctions and other protective orders, I think we can soon convict and imprison tens of thousands of parents who have engaged in religious terrorism against their children for years.  (But this statute does not become law until 6 July 2006 -- and you can't criminalize conduct retroactively (unless you happen to be Bush and his thugs).)