Christian cop tries to convert during arrest

E-Z-B

E-Z-B

CAGiversary!
A traffic stop in Greer, S.C., this month is turning into a holy war of sorts, as a practicing Druid couple claim they were targeted by a Christian police officer who tried to convert them away from their pagan belief.

Debra and Tony Gainey say they were pulled over because they had a bumper sticker reading "It's A Druid Thing."
druidthing.jpg


Druid couple believe this bumper sticker prompted traffic stop

Tony Gainey was driving at the time of the stop June 10 and was taken into custody on charges of driving with a suspended license, operating a vehicle with an improper tag and failure to have proof of insurance.

"The reason they were stopped was the tag was improper on the vehicle," Greer police Lt. Cris Varner told WHNS-TV.

But Debra Gainey, a minister at the local Emerald Sanctuary Druidic Church, believes it was the druid sticker that prompted the traffic stop, as evinced by the conversation with officer Tony Stewart.

"[Stewart said], 'Did those bumper stickers come on the car or did you put them on?' and I said I put them on," Debra said.

She says the officer asked if she knew what they meant.

"So he started talking to me about God and Jesus Christ. ... I just felt like he was really getting into it, I had never expected to actually follow-up with a letter or anything."

According to Mrs. Gainey, the officer sent a card and letter to her home address days later.

"In this letter, he promises our problems will continue unless we listen to the words of the Baptists," she told the station. "We're feeling like those are threats."

"It's just kind of flabbergasting to be told that because it says Druid that we were singled out," she continued. "I don't think it's a matter of his religion or my religion, it's a matter of violation of our Constitution and trying to take that away our freedom that we are guaranteed."

The Gaineys have filed a civil-rights complaint, and the matter is now under investigation.

"The issue is the stop," police chief Dan Reynolds told the Greenville News. "Did they stop them because of the stickers? That's what we're trying to determine in our investigation. What was the reason for the stop?"

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45008
 
[quote name='E-Z-B']Tony Gainey was driving at the time of the stop June 10 and was taken into custody on charges of driving with a suspended license, operating a vehicle with an improper tag and failure to have proof of insurance. [/QUOTE]
This was the only part I zoomed in on, sounds like a legit stop to me.

My common-sense-o-meter is telling me that while this cop may have done this, it's most likely the couple being completely crazy and thinking people are out to get them when they aren't.

They probably got a standard religious pamphlet in the mail and assumed it was the officer's doing or something similar.

I wouldn't put it past the cop to say something, if for no other reason than the rarity of meeting practicing druids, but I doubt it went down exactly as the couple is saying.
 
Yes, but if the officer actually followed up with a letter and card, than I have to wonder about what really prompted the stop in the first place.
 
They should have been stopped simply for having such a tacky bumper sticker.

Seriously, I haven't seen anything so hilariously awful since my broke buddy who drives around a 70s gas-guzzler put a "Save the Whales" sticker on his bumper.
 
[quote name='camoor']They should have been stopped simply for having such a tacky bumper sticker.

Seriously, I haven't seen anything so hilariously awful since my broke buddy who drives around a 70s gas-guzzler put a "Save the Whales" sticker on his bumper.[/QUOTE]

A druid in the u.s. probably doesn't have much to choose from. Now wiccans, they got some good bumper stickers.
 
[quote name='sblymnlcrymnl']Sounds like that cop should be beaten to death.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like you should be raped by large angry men.

What the hell kind of statement is that? He stopped and ticketed people who were actively committing a crime, he didn't beat them, he didn't plant evidence, he simply attempted to witness to people. Something his religion asks him to do.

When does freedom of speech stop? When you put on a uniform?

They got caught doing illegal things (unsafe things, at that) and they're crying that the big bad Christians are trying to keep them down. This one doesn't pass the smell test folks.
 
[quote name='fanskad']He stopped and ticketed people who were actively committing a crime, he didn't beat them, he didn't plant evidence, he simply attempted to witness to people. Something his religion asks him to do.

When does freedom of speech stop? When you put on a uniform?

They got caught doing illegal things (unsafe things, at that) and they're crying that the big bad Christians are trying to keep them down. This one doesn't pass the smell test folks.[/QUOTE]

I've got no problem with the traffic stop or the ticket. The driver was breaking the law. But if the cop then used police resources and time to look up their address so he could witness, he's wrong. Is it okay if he sends cards to every Jew, Muslim, atheist, or member of a Christian denomination not his own? If his religion calls for witnesses, he can do it off duty.
 
[quote name='MrBadExample']I've got no problem with the traffic stop or the ticket. The driver was breaking the law. But if the cop then used police resources and time to look up their address so he could witness, he's wrong. Is it okay if he sends cards to every Jew, Muslim, atheist, or member of a Christian denomination not his own? If his religion calls for witnesses, he can do it off duty.[/QUOTE]

Part of me wonders if this the above statement was typed on a company computer...
 
[quote name='Derwood43']Part of me wonders if this the above statement was typed on a company computer...[/QUOTE]
It was but I am not a government employee and I am not pimping my religion.
 
[quote name='MrBadExample']I've got no problem with the traffic stop or the ticket. The driver was breaking the law. But if the cop then used police resources and time to look up their address so he could witness, he's wrong. Is it okay if he sends cards to every Jew, Muslim, atheist, or member of a Christian denomination not his own? If his religion calls for witnesses, he can do it off duty.[/QUOTE]

Frankly, the if "police resources" you're referring to are an address lookup, all he had to do was look at the ID they provided at the stop. From the article, he apparently didn't send the "threats" on police letterhead.

Bottom line is, if they have to right to put a druidic bumper sticker on their car, he has the right to say something about it.

This one is clean and dry.

Derwood was more succinct than I can be.
 
[quote name='fanskad']Frankly, the if "police resources" you're referring to are an address lookup, all he had to do was look at the ID they provided at the stop. From the article, he apparently didn't send the "threats" on police letterhead.

Bottom line is, if they have to right to put a druidic bumper sticker on their car, he has the right to say something about it.[/QUOTE]

Yeah right.

The law defines the punishment for expired IDs, and my SC law is rusty but I'll bet that a Jesus sermon isn't included.

When at work, people need to know their damn role.
 
[quote name='fanskad']Frankly, the if "police resources" you're referring to are an address lookup, all he had to do was look at the ID they provided at the stop. From the article, he apparently didn't send the "threats" on police letterhead.

Bottom line is, if they have to right to put a druidic bumper sticker on their car, he has the right to say something about it.

This one is clean and dry.

Derwood was more succinct than I can be.[/QUOTE]

So you're okay with the cop taking down their home address for his personal/religious use? Is it okay to do this with everyone or just the "fringe" religions?

The cop is an authority figure and he should be reprimanded for oversteeping his bounds here.
 
[quote name='MrBadExample']It was but I am not a government employee and I am not pimping my religion.[/QUOTE]

Please show me the law that states that a government employee can't share his/her religion.

Church and state has only to do with the government not forming a single religion by which all citizens must adhere. See; Church of England.

Just because someone is employed by the government, doesn't mean that they forfeit their religion. Do Muslim employees get time to pray? Yes. Do all government employees get time off for religious purposes? Yes.

Please follow this story up, just to see if any charges are brought against this officer. Unlikely, if at all.
 
[quote name='Derwood43']Please show me the law that states that a government employee can't share his/her religion.

Church and state has only to do with the government not forming a single religion by which all citizens must adhere. See; Church of England.

Just because someone is employed by the government, doesn't mean that they forfeit their religion. Do Muslim employees get time to pray? Yes. Do all government employees get time off for religious purposes? Yes.

Please follow this story up, just to see if any charges are brought against this officer. Unlikely, if at all.[/QUOTE]
No one has to forfeit their religion for there to be a separation between church and state. People just don't get to proselytize in an official government capacity. Taking down their name and address for his own religious purpose is crossing a line.

How loud would you be screaming if the cop was Muslim, Hindu, Satanist or atheist?
 
Here's a link to another article about the case

This is what the card said - "God is calling you to listen to words from the Baptists. This is clear! If you deny this, then you are pushing away the hand of God and that would not be wise."

And the cop was an unpaid volunteer. I've never heard of unpaid volunteer cops before. He's currently suspended until after an investigation.
 
[quote name='MrBadExample']How loud would you be screaming if the cop was Muslim, Hindu, Satanist or atheist?[/QUOTE]

Only a christian would try to pull something like this.
 
[quote name='MrBadExample']No one has to forfeit their religion for there to be a separation between church and state. People just don't get to proselytize in an official government capacity. Taking down their name and address for his own religious purpose is crossing a line.

How loud would you be screaming if the cop was Muslim, Hindu, Satanist or atheist?[/QUOTE]


Please reference any of my prior posts where I "screamed" about someone's religion? I've not once said that any person's religion is wrong. You assume that because I claim to be Christian, I hate all other religions. If that is the case, you're wrong. I challenge you to find something to the contrary.


Now that that's out of the way.

What lines were crossed is between him and his superior. Is what he did professional? I don't believe so. Like I said, that's between him and his superior. I'm sure that different squads would handle the situation differently. Were there different avenues in which he could have shared. Sure. If I were to work in a secular job, and I invited employees and customers to a church gathering, am I imposing my religion? I don't feel so. But if my boss asks me to stop, I should refrain. If you found something that was sincerely special to you, especially something of that nature, would not at least be inclined to share it with someone?
 
[quote name='sblymnlcrymnl']Only a christian would try to pull something like this.[/QUOTE]



Riiiiggggghhhhttt. Christians would also hijack planes and crash them into buildings, all in the name of a religion. Wait, Christians didn't do that.

Shhaaammme on that cop for peaceably offering a religion. :roll:
 
I find violence to much more up front and honest. "If you dont believe what we do, we kill you." All the cards are on the table. No question of motives here.

This would be in contrast to say, having a group of missionaries go down to a place just after a big natural disaster to offer aid, among other things. Violence is pretty bad stuff, but its not too underhanded of a tactic.

And its not like the history of Christianity has exactly been a peaceful one.
 
[quote name='Derwood43']What lines were crossed is between him and his superior. Is what he did professional? I don't believe so. Like I said, that's between him and his superior. I'm sure that different squads would handle the situation differently. Were there different avenues in which he could have shared. Sure.[/QUOTE]
I never called for the cop's head on a platter. I said he deserves to be reprimanded if he overstepped his bounds and used his position to promote his religion.
 
[quote name='Derwood43']Shhaaammme on that cop for peaceably offering a religion. :roll:[/QUOTE]
Did you read what the card said? It can be read as not very peaceable.
 
[quote name='Derwood43']Riiiiggggghhhhttt. Christians would also hijack planes and crash them into buildings, all in the name of a religion. Wait, Christians didn't do that.

Shhaaammme on that cop for peaceably offering a religion. :roll:[/QUOTE]

I only meant that this particular method (intolerant asshole with a smile) is reserved for the Christians. They have this whole passive agressive bullshit style which I find just sickening.
 
[quote name='Derwood43']If I were to work in a secular job, and I invited employees and customers to a church gathering, am I imposing my religion? I don't feel so. But if my boss asks me to stop, I should refrain. If you found something that was sincerely special to you, especially something of that nature, would not at least be inclined to share it with someone?[/QUOTE]
Would you be using the company rolodex to look up addresses of customers that you have no personal relationship with?
No one is saying you can't share your religion with other people, but it's much trickier when you're employeed by the state and you're on the job. If this guy wants to share his religion, he can volunteer at a soup kitchen, preach on the street corner, witness door-to-door, whatever. As long as he's off-duty.
 
[quote name='sblymnlcrymnl']I only meant that this particular method (intolerant asshole with a smile) is reserved for the Christians. They have this whole passive agressive bullshit style which I find just sickening.[/QUOTE]

Christians think that non-Christians are intolerant ass-holes with frowns.

The similarities are striking.
 
If Derwood wasn't ignoring something staring him right in the face (the hegemony of police and other authority figures over 'regular joes'), I think he might have a point.

In the meantime, keep in mind that, when a pig says 'jump,' you say "how high, sir?" When anybody but a pig says 'jump,' you say 'go fuck your mother.'
 
nobody goes out of their way to proselytize more than the western religions. If you've had a Buddhist ever even mention something to you, you should play the lottery more.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']If Derwood wasn't ignoring something staring him right in the face (the hegemony of police and other authority figures over 'regular joes'), I think he might have a point.

In the meantime, keep in mind that, when a pig says 'jump,' you say "how high, sir?" When anybody but a pig says 'jump,' you say 'go fuck your mother.'[/QUOTE]


myke

Again with the assumptions? :D If you feel like I'm ignoring something after reading my posts, then I'm sorry. Like I said, I don't feel that what he did is professional. Is it overstepping his boundaries? Ehh...it's a pretty gray line to me.
 
[quote name='Derwood43']myke

Again with the assumptions? :D If you feel like I'm ignoring something after reading my posts, then I'm sorry. Like I said, I don't feel that what he did is professional. Is it overstepping his boundaries? Ehh...it's a pretty gray line to me.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure what I'm presuming. You didn't mention the hegemony cops have over people, and it's not something that's really up for debate (although perhaps at the individual level, it may be).

I didn't say that I disagree with your point, only that the relationship between a cop and a civilian is not as balanced as between two civilians. I'm only pointing out that, for a cop who has a lot of power (and thus influence) over another person, it is irresponsible to use that to influence them to do anything but obey the law.

Relgion can take a back seat. I'd be just as pissed if a cop tried to sell me life insurance, or fuckin' vacuum cleaners. It isn't their job to influence me in those regards. When you're on the clock, you are a representative of who you work for. While I don't have a problem inviting a coworker to a prayer party (it's like inviting them to poker night), sending cards to people you don't know, only because they aren't baptist, is out of line.

Wasn't there a movie about a policeman stalker, with Ray Liotta? Or am I just making more shit up?
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Relgion can take a back seat. I'd be just as pissed if a cop tried to sell me life insurance, or fuckin' vacuum cleaners. It isn't their job to influence me in those regards. When you're on the clock, you are a representative of who you work for. While I don't have a problem inviting a coworker to a prayer party (it's like inviting them to poker night), sending cards to people you don't know, only because they aren't baptist, is out of line.

Wasn't there a movie about a policeman stalker, with Ray Liotta? Or am I just making more shit up?[/QUOTE]

:lol:

And I think Ray was in such a movie, but I only saw a part in the middle so I thought he was just a do-gooder cop. LOL maybe I should catch that one again.

Someone should post that movie link of Jesus the cop again.
"Stigmata... I sense trouble!"
That was hilarious.
 
[quote name='MrBadExample']No one has to forfeit their religion for there to be a separation between church and state. People just don't get to proselytize in an official government capacity. Taking down their name and address for his own religious purpose is crossing a line.

How loud would you be screaming if the cop was Muslim, Hindu, Satanist or atheist?[/QUOTE]

Baptist Christians are a joke anyway. Regular Christians don't take them seriously.
 
[quote name='Dr Mario Kart']nobody goes out of their way to proselytize more than the western religions. If you've had a Buddhist ever even mention something to you, you should play the lottery more.[/QUOTE]

One of my favorite restaurants is a little tea and vegetarian food restaurant run by monks from the "greater boston buddhist cultural center", it's connected to a little gift shop and where they pray (only one door for all three, there's really no separation). Never once have they ever mentioned anything about buddhism, buddha and, if you were a complete idiot, you wouldn't even know they were buddhist. There's buddhist type music, statues etc., but no one ever says a damn thing about buddhism is great, become a buddhist, what religion are you etc.


Though, on christians, the most tolerant, and liberal christian I've known was a very devout evangelical (always going to religious events in addition to church). He had the perfect view of religion in my mind, they were his beliefs and how he ran his life, but he had a completely different set of views on how government should be run.
 
[quote name='alonzomourning23']One of my favorite restaurants is a little tea and vegetarian food restaurant run by monks from the "greater boston buddhist cultural center", it's connected to a little gift shop and where they pray (only one door for all three, there's really no separation). Never once have they ever mentioned anything about buddhism, buddha and, if you were a complete idiot, you wouldn't even know they were buddhist. There's buddhist type music, statues etc., but no one ever says a damn thing about buddhism is great, become a buddhist, what religion are you etc.


Though, on christians, the most tolerant, and liberal christian I've known was a very devout evangelical (always going to religious events in addition to church). He had the perfect view of religion in my mind, they were his beliefs and how he ran his life, but he had a completely different set of views on how government should be run.[/QUOTE]

What you say about Buddhism is true. However this argument leaves out two very important factors.
1. Buddhism is a very introverted religion. (about the self)
2. Christianity, for the most part, is very extroverted. (about the masses)

You are comparing apples to oranges when you compare Christians to Buddhists. The only thing they have in common is that they are both religions.

If a child is told to make his bed, and he makes it, will the parents be upset? Likewise, if you don't tell a child to make his bed, and he doesn't, will the parents be upset? You can't discredit either of the children for doing as they are, or aren't, instructed. I understand that this is a very simple explanation to a very rich discussion, but I think it illustrates my point.
 
Cop: "License and registration, ma'am - and have you accepted the eternal salvation of the Jesus?"
Druid: "These are not the Druids you are looking for..."
 
[quote name='camoor']Cop: "License and registration, ma'am - and have you accepted the eternal salvation of the Jesus?"
Druid: "These are not the Druids you are looking for..."[/QUOTE]



:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
 
[quote name='Quackzilla']So Derwood, you believe that cops should be allowed to use their authority to evangelize while on the job?[/QUOTE]

Strike one.
 
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