Satanist Father vs Christian Mother Fight For Custody Rights

[DeSwiss]

Satanist father and Christian mother fight for Sunday morning custody rights

The Telegraph UK
By Tom Leonard in New York
Last Updated: 2:07AM BST 12/07/2008


A custody battle between a Satanist and his Christian ex-wife has raised constitutional issues after both demanded the right to share their religion with their three young children. Kristie Meyer has cited the religious beliefs of her former husband, Jamie, as the main reason why an Indiana judge should restrict his visitation rights. She wants the three to go to church on Sunday mornings - technically, when they are with Mr Meyer - but points out they are unlikely to do so if they are with their father, a member of an organisation calling itself the Church of Satan.

However, legal experts have warned that the American Constitution prevents judges from showing a religious preference. In a forthcoming court case in Fulton, Indiana, Mr Meyer may now be asked to prove that Satanism, which he says is about celebrating man's desires rather than worshipping the devil, is a real faith.

Meanwhile, legal observers say his former wife may have to show that Satanism - which is recognised as a religion by the US Internal Revenue Service - is harmful to their daughters' upbringing. Mrs Meyer has argued that her ex-husband's public expression of satanic beliefs has embarrassed their children.

Pat Roberts, her lawyer, has asked the judge to order Mr Meyer to drop off the children at his ex-wife's church so they can attend with her during his visitation time. "Frankly, (it) can be emotionally damaging or confusing to children when they're faced with these two different forms of worship," Mr Roberts told the Chicago Tribune. "Let's call it worship rather than religion. Religion is based upon recognition of a supreme being."

He added: "Allowing them to go to church for a couple of hours on a Sunday morning is... not unreasonable."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2287695/Satanist-father-and-Christian-mother-fight-for-Sunday-morning-custody-rights.html">LINK

- Oh boy, well this ought to interesting. And in Indiana too. If the judge sides with the father, he'll be accused of being a secret Satan worshipper and driven from the bench. And if he sides with the mother, his ruling will be open to reversal by a higher court for discriminating against a legitimate religion that is recognized by the IRS.

Hmmmm.... Maybe he'll rule like Solomon did and cut to the chase. So to speak.....
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DeSwiss


http://www.atheisttoolbox.com/">The Atheist Toolbox

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. Satanist or Christian? Hmm...tough choice.

I'm not inclined to let either of them have custody, but then I don't hold much truck with silly superstitions.

[DeSwiss]

2. Maybe they have a Pagan aunt???

You know, just to round things out.....

;)

[pepperbear]

3. I just hope the mother doesn't win JUST BECAUSE she's Christian.....

Why? Substitute "Atheist" for "Satanist".

[DeSwiss]

4. Yeah, it'd be tougher on the atheist....

...because they don't believe in either one of them.

- But the other guys they "need" each other.....

[ZombieHorde]

7. Satanists generaly don't believe in God or Satan.

[jbnow]

5. Well I'd have a problem with the Satanist thing

First if you could take off a lot of those "=====" the post wouldn't be stretched so we had to scroll to read it.

An atheist parent I'd have no problem with but I think even a lot of atheists would prefer the Christian to the Satanist even believing in neither.

It wouldn't be the "who" of their worship but the aims their religion would have them strive for.

Not that we see it much but if people were striving to follow the teaching of Jesus and was loving and honest and cared for their children...good for the kid.
Follow the teaching of Satan, which I assume don't stress those things...not so great for kids.

[ZombieHorde]

6. Just for fun, I will post the 11 satanic comandments of the Church of Satan.

I - Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.

II - Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure that they want to hear them.

III - When in another's lair, show him respect or else do not go there.

IV - If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.

V - Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.

VI - Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the person and he cries out to be relieved.

VII - Acknowledge the power of magic if you have used it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.

VIII - Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.

IX - Do not harm little children.

X - Do not kill non-human animals unless attacked or for your food.

XI - When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

[LARED]

8. Well, I'll take the Biblical Ten Commandment s any day over

those. IMHO children should not be exposed to the teachings of Satanists.