[Vision2020] Not on the Palouse, Not Ever! (update # 58)

[keely emerinemix]

I've stayed out of the "wine for underage communicants" argument until now, 
but the comment below about 3-year-olds expressing their faith in the 
salvation of the Lord by taking communion wine, and the life-changing effect 
of others witnessing it, came pretty close to sending me on an early morning 
trip to the pantry, looking for the cooking sherry.

Please.

I'm glad you're raising your children to love Jesus Christ.  I am, too.  But 
is it barely possible that loving Jesus Christ and exhibiting faith in his 
salvation is a bit more complicated than insisting on wine over juice, 
demanding access to the Table for toddlers, and gleefully asserting your 
right to bring out "the good stuff"  in the presence of your supposed 
enemies?

Seems to me that perhaps your children will learn to love ritual, tradition, 
ceremony and good wine long before they ever come to an understanding of 
loving the One who demanded that while we must love our enemies, it's even 
better if we don't set out to make them in the first place.

keely emerine mix

From: <heirloom at moscow.com>
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Not on the Palouse, Not Ever! (update # 58)
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 05:29:17 GMT

Mr. Moffett and Miss Roskovich,

You both seem to be very interested in the care and training of
young people (unlike Mr. Westberg and his comments about Bloody
Mary’s). It seems that serving any alcohol to individuals under
the age of 21 is against the Code. I would agree with state law
on this point. Children and young adults under the age of 21 should
not “buy, steal or lie” in order to procure an “adult beverage”.
Adult beverages are for adults (and in some cases in one’s own
home along side of their parents). All of the statistics about
juvenile binge drinking and abuse is sad, to say the least. But we
are not talking about the need for catering and beverage licenses
or a Bar in the middle of an auditorium serving drink after drink
to young people. No, we are talking about a standard size communion cup.
You know the ones that you used to take home and put in the doll
house to be used as a flower vase for your Polly Pocket.

Miss Roskovich, one part of the Idaho Code applies to your concerns.
That part can be found in Statute  23 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, CHAPTER 5,
PERMITS AND LICENSES:
23-502. SACRAMENTAL WINE. A minister, priest, rabbi, or religious
organization shall have the privilege of purchasing wine for sacramental
purposes from the dispensary (the local liquor store or wine company) or
from any other source within or without the state.

This section is under permits and licenses of the code. It is very,
very clear that a religious organization, say Christ Church, can get
their wine from any where, and from any one, without paying a fee,
tax or license from “within or without the state”.

There is no need for a beverage permit or any other burden put on
it by the State or any State agency.

As to Mr. Moffett’s concern about serving this tax / permit free
wine to minors. One can only hope he and the other “concerned”
parties will listen with their enlightened minds to what is to follow.

In a recent post on “Blind 20/20” Mr. Moffett stated: “the ceremonial
use of wine for minors (on private property) could be fought in the
courts on the grounds of religious freedom.” Mr. Moffett, I wonder,
if we can practice sacramental use of wine on private property and
win in the courts on the “grounds of religious freedom”, can we
practice sacramental use on county owned land and win? Can we take
communion on city own land? Can we take Communion on a school
district’s property and win a law suit? How about in a prison? How
about taking communion on Federal Indian lands? How about taking
communion during Prohibition, was it legal back then?

Mr. Moffett, et al, what part of the Idaho code where it says FREE
EXERCISE OF RELIGION PROTECTED, do you NOT understand? In case you
can’t find this section of the code I will provide portions of it
for your education.73-401 of the Idaho code states in the definition
section:
(1) “Government" includes this state and any agency or political
subdivision of this state.
(2) “Political subdivision" includes any county, city, school district,
taxing district, municipal corporation, or agency of a county, city,
school district, or municipal corporation. (THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO AND THEIR POLICY MANUAL.)

73-402 FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION PROTECTED
(1) Free exercise of religion is a fundamental right that applies in this
state, even if laws, rules or other government actions are facially
neutral.

73-403 APPLICABILITY.
(1) This chapter applies to all state laws and local ordinances and the
implementation of those laws and ordinances, whether statutory or
otherwise, and whether enacted or adopted before, on or after the
effective date of this chapter.
(2) State laws that are enacted or adopted on or after the effective
date of this chapter are subject to this chapter unless the law
explicitly excludes application by reference to this chapter.
(3) This chapter shall not be construed to authorize any government to
burden any religious belief.

It is not against the law. Please re-read statute 73 in the Idaho Code.
Check out most of the other state’s laws concerning this. Sacramental
Wine isn't taxed nor does it have to be included under the jurisdiction
of this state's liquor laws. Statute 23-502 says it is different than
beverage wine. It was free to use during Prohibition, it is free now,
to use in prison, on indian land or any where else the Church sees fit
to practice it.

To me it is clear, no state law written or implied, university policy
or your Legal Law Dictionary has any authority over the Sacramental
Use of Wine in Idaho. If the Elders of Christ Church decide to provide
wine in the Communion cups, by faith, my underage children ages 20, 17,
14, 12, 8, 7 and 3 3/4 will be partaking along with many of the other
children in attendance. I invite you to come and see their faith in the
salvation of the Lord put into practice. You will be changed. I hope the
Elders choose to use the good stuff for it will be very sweet to celebrate
Eucharist at a table set in the presence of our enemies.

Lemeno
Doug!

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