Religious Discrimination In Euless, Texas

There has been a case of religious discrimination going on in Euless (a suburb of Fort Worth) since May of 2006. Jose Merced is a Santeria priest, and he was holding religious ceremonies in his home. That May, some of his neighbors complained and Euless police investigated.

Merced explained that he was conducting a religious ceremony, but the police became upset when they found he was sacrificing chickens and an occasional goat in the ceremonies. He was ticketed, and the city told him he could no longer hold the ceremonies in his home (or anywhere in the city).

The city used as justification some city rules that prohibit animal cruelty, keeping livestock and disposing of animal waste, even though the only neighborhood complaint was about the traffic from the worshippers.

Merced felt his right to practice his religion had been violated and took the matter to court in December of 2006. He had a point, since the United States Supreme Court had already upheld the right of Santeria practicioners to sacrifice animals in their services.

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge John McBryde ruled in the case. He found for the city, but not on their defense grounds. He said the city had a right to ban the ceremonies on grounds that they posed a public health hazard, and the city had an interest in protecting the public health.

This seems like a stretch to me -- as though the judge was searching for a way to stop the sacrifices that might pass a constitutional review regarding religion. No person had ever been harmed or became sick because of the animal sacrifice, and there was no reason to believe anyone ever would.

This seems like a clear case of religious discrimination. In effect, the judge has banned practicing the Santeria religion anywhere inside the Euless city limits -- regardless of any health precautions taken. Can you imagine the uproar if the judge had banned Christianity inside the city limits, or any of the major religions?

Merced is considering an appeal. I think he should, especially in light of the Supreme Court decision. In a truly free country, men must have the right to practice any religion they choose, or none at all if they wish. No religion should be banned or forced upon anyone. Anything less is an abridgement of the freedom of everyone.