Does Ohio Have Freedom of Religion?

According to the actions of Franklin County Juvenile Magistrate Mary Goodrich, and the Franklin County Children's Services, there isn't.

At least not in their treatment of Rifqa Bary.

After Rifqa Bary was returned to Ohio per a Florida Judge's order, Mary Goodrich acted on a request from the Franklin County Children's Services to restrict and supervise Rifqa's use of her cell phone and internet.

This amounts to trampling on her Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, and Expression. Constitutional rights that even "illegal aliens" are acknowledged to have.

Their reasons for doing so are based on a false narrative that Jim Zorn, a spokesman for the Franklin County Children's Services, gave:

"What we want to restrict is the other people, the other organizations, the other forces, that have interjected themselves into this case inappropriately, and has caused the additional problems that we've seen".

False. Rifqa Bary did not escape to Florida because others "interjected themselves". But because she feared for her safety after her father discovered she had left Islam and became a Christian:

"If you have this Jesus in your heart, then you are dead to me". He later threatened, "I will kill you".

Knowing full well the persecution and "honor killings" perpetrated against Muslims who leave Islam, most of them carried out by other family members, Rifqa did the only thing she could: Run.

Additional translation of Jim Zorn's statement above:

"We want to restrict Rifqa Bary from having fellowship with other Christians."

"In that regard, we want to restrict Rifqa Bary from having a full exercise of her Freedom of Religion."

The exercise and practice of one's religion is both a private and public matter. There are times of public expression, such as what would occur in a church worship service.

And there are times of private personal prayer and fellowship with others. Times not appropriate for having someone other than a pastor, or close Christian friend, standing around. 

Time for the ACLJ to get involved.

Call, write them on Rifqa's behalf:

 

American Center for Law and Justice
P.O. Box 90555
Washington, DC 20090-0555
1-800-296-4529

Legal Helpline Phone:  757-226-2489
Legal Helpline Fax:  757-226-2836