Election 2008
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Steamboat Springs — My entire four years of under-graduate college work was done while living in a halfway house for criminals (no, sorry to disappoint my liberal detractors, but I wasn’t an inmate). I had been given a chance to go to college while working my way through by cleaning up the church and school along with eventually getting a job cleaning up the “kill” at a slaughter house. Given that background, it’s amazing I ended up in the fine jewelry business rather than as a lifetime janitor. But that’s not the subject of this column.
Nearly all of these men and boys that we welcomed into the facility to give them a second chance at life were returned to their prisons or reformatories within months or even weeks. Yes, we gave them what the parole departments mandated: a place to live and a job. In short order, it became obvious to me this simply wasn’t enough.
Most of these guys were the truly disadvantaged, not merely because they may have had their roots in poverty, though many did. Their poverty was much more insidious and debilitating: a lack of love, guidance and good role models. Most had operated on the bottom levels of society for so long that they simply couldn’t envision anything else. Even though many were still minors, often by the time they got to us, the scars of crime, immorality and dishonesty seemed almost indelible. It was incredibly sad to watch.
But there were and are exceptions. These were the men who experienced a foundational spiritual transformation. Since they had received so little love in their lives, the knowledge that there is a loving and caring God who accepted them for what they are and want to become was a light in the darkness, much more so than we who had a reasonable upbringing. The term Reborn took on new meaning to me upon viewing these sincere redemptions. Surely, there is a lot more to the story of ex-cons such as changing habits, finding decent new friends and learning how to get and stay employed, but this was definitely the first step by at least staying free of the slammer.
This knowledge has led me to support and be overwhelmingly inspired by Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship organization, founded about 35 years ago as he emerged from prison for his Watergate cover-up crimes. The programs they run have provable numbers that speak for themselves and show a recidivism rate of about 25 percent to 30 percent of the norm. This is not simply a mathematical statistic without societal consequences. Many of these men have turned into decent citizens where formerly they were robbing, raping and causing mayhem in our neighborhoods. With their personal changes emanating from the inside out, they have a chance at life … a possibility of some self respect and maybe even the love of a family of their own that they never had.
One of the places Prison Fellowship has been allowed to implement its program, which is 100 percent voluntary, is in the Iowa state prison system. But in one of the most despicable and outrageous acts of willingly damning their fellow men, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State has been fighting to have this program shut down. And for the worsening of our society and these men who so desperately need a second chance, they have finally succeeded. The courts sided with them and it closes mid-March.
I just wonder how they sleep at night.
Gary Hofmeister is the owner and operator of Hofmeister Personal Jewelers in downtown Steamboat, a company he founded in 1973. He is a Director of the Conservative Leadership Council of Northwest Colorado and a former Republican nominee for Congress in the 10th District of Indiana. He made 18 trips
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Murray Tucker
March 9, 2008 at 6:54 a.m.
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Perhaps if you had lived in Iran like I did you would understand why it is necessary to keep church and state separate, especially in “reborning” warped minds.
letomayo (anonymous)
March 9, 2008 at 9:42 a.m.
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probably budda or mohammed would of done them same for them in some other country. Maybe just getting love from themselves would of done the same. I thought conservatives didn't blame the past for their mistakes they just pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and didn't whine. These men sound like weak whiners who need someone or anyone or thing to help them change their lives. Tell me are they conservatives now or as you like to point out those damn liberals? Don't tell me because I guess god is a conservative since he doesn't like gays and lesbians and socialists and bleeding heart liberals who try to give someone else a hand. wasn't it conservatives who put christ on the cross. I think christ was a liberal in those days too.
steamboatsconscience (anonymous)
March 9, 2008 at 10:29 a.m.
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a bleeding heart liberal at that.
Matthew Stoddard
March 9, 2008 at 10:34 a.m.
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No, he bled at the wrists and ankles.
suckerfreeforlife (anonymous)
March 9, 2008 at 10:36 a.m.
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It seems to me this op-ed is missing some pretty relevant info, like why, specifically, does the AUSCS have an issue with the program. We can infer, i guess, that the program has a religious agenda. Perhaps if the Fellowship program dumped the religious indoctrination, and just focused on the ethics and responsibility of good citizenship, there'd be no issue. It seems the Fellowship must decide whats more important, rehabilitating criminals, or preaching their particular faith.
suckerfreeforlife (anonymous)
March 9, 2008 at 11 a.m.
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I believe this is from the original Federal case
“For all practical purposes, the state has literally established an Evangelical Christian congregation within the walls of one of its penal institutions…. There are no adequate safeguards present, nor could there be, to ensure that state funds are not being directly spent to indoctrinate Iowa inmates.”
suckerfreeforlife (anonymous)
March 9, 2008 at 11:05 a.m.
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and this is a summary from the subsequent appeal
“Americans United presented evidence that inmates who took part in InnerChange were given better treatment and perks that were not available to others, including better housing and expedited access to classes required for parole…. At trial, inmates testified that they were pressured to convert to evangelical Christianity, and that the beliefs of Roman Catholics and other faiths were ridiculed. The court record showed that non-Christians were frequently referred to as “unsaved,” “lost,” “pagan” and “sinful” by InnerChange staff. The program required staffers to abide by an evangelical statement of faith.”
suckerfreeforlife (anonymous)
March 9, 2008 at 11:14 a.m.
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More food for thought…
“The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that government support for the InnerChange Freedom Initiative at Newton Correctional Facility — a program operated by Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship Ministries — advances religious indoctrination at state expense. Americans United brought the litigation against InnerChange on behalf of inmates, their families and taxpayers.
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, hailed the ruling.
“This is an extremely important decision,” said Lynn. “Government officials have no business paying for religious indoctrination and awarding special treatment and benefits to those willing to embrace one religious perspective.
“Government should not single out a particular religion for special treatment,” Lynn continued. “You simply cannot give government funds to a religious group for its evangelism program.”
Im impressed that the Exec. Dir. of AUSCS is a Reverend!
suckerfreeforlife (anonymous)
March 9, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.
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Id like to address 2 more issues
First, i find Gary's avoidance of the actual name of Colson's group, which is called “Personal Fellowship ministries” to be intentionally misleading, and a lie by omission.
Second, the “Ideology Above All” smear is blatantly hypocritical. Like i said earlier, if the Ministry is really interested in rehabilitating criminals, they'll dump the religious indoctrination.
The fact that they'd rather take their bat and ball and go home, rather than play by the rules, clearly indicates that their more interested in promoting their Evangelical ideology than looking out for the welfare of the inmates in question, and society in general. Ideology above all, indeed.
Rick Akin
March 9, 2008 at 2:38 p.m.
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Letomayo says that “I think christ (sic) was a liberal in those days too.” I do not understand the reasoning in reaching this conclusion. Someone please explain.
id04sp (anonymous)
March 10, 2008 at 7:42 a.m.
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How do they sleep at night?
As Hugh Grant said in some dumb movie, “I have a machine that simulates the sound of the ocean.”
The evangelicals are filling a niche. If the liberals were in there telling criminals to “knock that $#!+ off and get a life” there would be no room for religion.
Don't like the Ten Commandments? How about:
“A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful,friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.” Let them be Boy Scouts instead.
Rick Akin
March 10, 2008 at 12:38 p.m.
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Hunterdog,
I have checked my New Testament, and I do not find any instance in which Christ encourages the expansion of government, welfare programs or the like.
Instead, individual charity is encouraged.
So, I still do not see how this can be characterized as liberal.
424now (anonymous)
March 10, 2008 at 12:40 p.m.
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Regardless of the evangelical slant of the people doing this good work. The work should continue.
The group should address this funding issue internally. They need to think of the concequences of walking away. They either need to diversify or get very vague as to who the higher power is. Bring in a Rabi, Shaman, Pastor or tell them to praise the clouds and ask them for strength. It does not matter what higher power these men believe as long as they believe it!
I don't care how they inspire these broken men, Just inspire them. Lower the return rate and better our society.
Lord have mercy.
egoeater (anonymous)
March 10, 2008 at 2:41 p.m.
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Gary
God bless you for taking a stand for righteousness. If only others knew what it feels like to know Him , their lives would be changed forever. Keep up the good work. Remember, the greater the trial, the greater the blessing.
Hadleyburg_Press (anonymous)
March 11, 2008 at 8:39 a.m.
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Give drug addicts and drunks a new addiction called religion? Why not just go all the way and give them a lobotomy? Atleast that way we would know that they will remain benign. On a serious note, I find it immensely amusing that the Conservatives on this forum support this tripe because of its religious bent while ignoring the comments about economic poverty causing some/all of the underlying problems. Ideological cognitive dissonance at its finest!
“I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy”
-Monty Python-
colobob (anonymous)
March 11, 2008 at 5:21 p.m.
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sbvor, once again I find myself with you. Missed you where you been hiding?
colobob (anonymous)
March 11, 2008 at 5:21 p.m.
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sbvor, once again I find myself with you. Missed you where you been hiding?
colobob (anonymous)
March 11, 2008 at 5:29 p.m.
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sorry about the dual posting
424now (anonymous)
March 11, 2008 at 5:35 p.m.
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Sucker has the gist of it.
HP, Does it matter how they manage to embrace a rehabilitation? Should we care if they are praying to God Alah or the doorknob? Is it simply better for society on the whole if we can manage to actuially rehabilitate at least a percentage of our criminals? Regardless of their socioeconoimic causes you are suggesting.
Let's say violent offender chooses to become addicted to Buhdism, Christianity or Islam and becomes a productive member of society. Never again raises his fist in anger. Ends up going to some church every Sunday and Religious studies on Wednesday.
Does it offend your intelectual sensibilities that he chose religon as the catalist for his transformation?
As a felon returning to society they will have a lot of time on their hands. Their mind will find something to dwell on. Why not allow it to be their fellow man, a doorknob or God?
I repeat continue the good works, drop the specific Religious requirement and allow for freedom of belief within the program.
Hadleyburg_Press (anonymous)
March 11, 2008 at 7:44 p.m.
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424now,
I'm all for rehabilitation, but crutches with inherent weaknesses usually give out in due time. How about a Soma prescription?
“O brave new world, That has such people in it!”
grannyrett (anonymous)
March 11, 2008 at 11:15 p.m.
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It's sad that so many people will put down anyone who does any kind of good if religion is involved in it. If you don't want to believe, that's fine with me, and probably a lot of people feel the same way. If someone believes in God, and it helps them become a better person, what harm is he doing you? Christianity teaches to care about our fellow men. To help them. It's like the “Pay it Forward” idea. Do something nice for someone just because you can. Does it hurt you? Does it make someone's day a little better? If believing in God helps someone become a better person, well, that's rehab. If it keeps someone from returning to prison, well, it works. Be glad that your tax dollars don't have to support him anymore, but don't put him down because he has found peace within himself.
LuvTheBoat (anonymous)
March 12, 2008 at 1:30 a.m.
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Hunter dog, you said “pray in one hand, crap in the other, see which fills up the fastest.” First, I don't want to see you do that!! I mean really, who does that? who craps in thier hand? Last time I prayed I wasn't trying to fill my hand. So you can crap in your hand all you want, but, thats kind of, wierd, to say the least. I hope I don't shake your hand around town!! Once again, I find myself agreeing with grannyrett. If the state is paying for shrinks, and thats ok, let them pay for a preacher, in the liberal mind, 61/2 of one bakers dozen of another. If these guys are changing thier outlook on life and can become better citizens, thats the bottom line, whether it be God or Doc Phil. To me, I wouldn't pay for either, if your in prison, I think you should be working your bum off 13 hrs a day fixing potholes (by the taco bell).
Sknow Surf
424now (anonymous)
March 15, 2008 at 11:52 a.m.
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Hadley,
If indeed you would consider a God fearing sober human being a delusive individual then you obviously don't know that many.
Hunter, Hadley,
You have the right to choose to believe whatever you like. The same goes for anyone of faith. I condemn anyone who insists their view is the only right way. No one has that right.
I have no little experience with recovery. If in fact I had seen a greater number of success stories involving a self-centered approach then I would advocate that approach. My experience doesn't show that to be the case though.
Aberrant behavior is the result of aberrant thought. In essence the aberrant personality's best thinking has brought them to there current situation.
I am not advocating a mandatory Christian program here. Nor do think any single religion should be mandatory. What I do think, and I support it whole heartedly and with no reservation, is that a faith in a higher power will do these criminals no harm. In fact it will assist them in (getting out of there own head) thinking of other human beings.
What you two consider a weakness and work so diligently in your posts to discredit is a strength to most of us.
Hadleyburg_Press (anonymous)
March 16, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.
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424now,
You are right about selfishness and a lack of empathy being at the core of these behaviors. However I would not advocate a faith in a higher power, but rather service to fellow man. How about mandatory service in something like the Peace Corp? Or maybe working with the victims of crime? If this is beyond the capabilities of some of these reprobates then I say lock'em up and throw away the key. As they sit and rot, then give them the sermon if you want. For the trully unsalvagable such as child molesters I suggest taking back their carbon atoms…
By the way, I don't really care where you gather your internal strength. In fact I applaud you for being at peace within yourself. I agree with your levelheaded statements that: “I condemn anyone who insists their view is the only right way. No one has that right.”
424now (anonymous)
March 16, 2008 at 3:04 p.m.
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The higher power concept can be applied to one self. It is a very difficult path for an aberrant mind to have faith in the aberrant self that has brought them to this point of decision. I have seen men able to reform dependent on only their own will. It is an extremely rare event. The level of effort required is gargantuan and sadly beyond most aberrant minds.
I have also met candidates for carbon recycling. It is an unfortunate fact that some people will take their right to believe anything to the darkest possible depths of the human mind.
My inner peace is mine and yours is yours. At least we have some. Its the aberrant minds of the inmates and their behavior within the community that is the point here.
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