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Mark · Site Admin Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 1052

Court reversal on San Francisco Peaks magnifies collapse of US democracy

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/...s-magnifies-collapse-us-democracy

Excerpt:

"This ruling sets a negative precedent that impacts the future of Native American religious practice," said Francis Tso of the Save the Peaks Coalition. "We will seek to reverse this appalling decision."

The three dissenting Judges from the en banc Court argued that, "Religious exercise, invariably, and centrally, involves a 'subjective' spiritual experience." The dissenting judges further provided that, "The majority's misunderstanding of the nature of religious beliefs and exercise as merely "subjective" is an excuse for refusing to accept the Indians' religion as worthy of protection under RFRA." As noted by the dissent, "RFRA was passed to protect the exercise of all religions, including the religions of American Indians. If Indians' land-based exercise of religion is not protected by RFRA in this case, I cannot imagine a case in which it will be. I am truly sorry that the majority has effectively read American Indians out of RFRA."

"This decision is a painful affirmation of the lack of protection for our religious freedom," said Alberta Nells with the Youth of the Peaks. Nells continued, "It is a bitter reminder that not all citizens are equal in this country, but just as the civil rights movement did not give up when courts delivered blow after blow, we will not give up until our rights are fully upheld. We, the youth, will continue to stand up for our cultural survival."

mke · Facilitator Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 27

This is so degrading. Even if the snow was proven to be perfectly safe, the idea is disgusting. (And what's with the skiing there? Maybe we could start bowling in Cathedrals. Wonder if anyone would object?)