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AlterNet reports
In a classic case of "unintended consequences", the recently signed Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in Indiana may have opened the door for the establishment of the First Church of Cannabis in the Hoosier State.
While Governor Mike Pence (R) was holding a signing ceremony for the bill allowing businesses and individuals to deny services to gays on religious grounds or values, paperwork for the First Church of Cannabis Inc. was being filed with the Secretary of State's office, reports RTV6.
Church founder Bill Levin announced on his Facebook page that the church's registration has been approved, writing, "Status: Approved by Secretary of State of Indiana - "Congratulations your registration has been approved!" Now we begin to accomplish our goals of Love, Understanding, and Good Health."
Levin is currently seeking $4.20 donations towards his non-profit church.
(Score: 3, Informative) by hemocyanin on Tuesday April 07 2015, @05:06PM
Christianity?
I'm thinking of sodomy laws in certain US states which while no longer effective, were only a short time ago. There's Alan Turing in the UK, surely you've heard of his ordeal. Apostasy laws in many Muslim countries that can get you killed, which is arguably worse than being imprisoned.
Or how about this: 30 years in prison for a miscarriage in El Salvador: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/19/1358721/-Young-Woman-Serving-30-Years-For-A-Miscarriage-Receives-No-Pardon# [dailykos.com]
The US is so progressive, a miscarriage in Indiana will net you the modest sentence of of 20 years in prison: https://news.vice.com/article/indiana-sent-a-woman-who-claims-she-had-a-miscarriage-to-prison-for-20-years-for-killing-her-fetus [vice.com]
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I think I understand why Scientology is so popular to hate in the geek world. It isn't socially acceptable to point out the faults of the major bullying religions, so we pick an easy target. The truth is though, there is very little net positive that religions bring to the world at this stage of our existence -- that's true whether it's a fringe religion or a major, and that's why I view them all equally.
(Score: 2) by hemocyanin on Tuesday April 07 2015, @05:08PM
Just so it is clear -- feticide laws are a by product of the pro-life movement which is almost entirely religious in origin. The Christian Church in America doesn't need it's own prisons because it has access to the state funded prison network.