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.

Euless Denies Religious Freedom To Resident

Normally, you read only good things about city government in Euless [Texas] on this blog, but I'm afraid they have dropped the ball on this one. A federal lawsuit has been filed against the city for denying religious freedom to some of it's citizens.

Jose Merced, a Santeria priest since 1979 and president of Templo Yoruba Omo Orisha Texas, has filed the lawsuit claiming that city officials will not allow the religious sacrifice of chickens and sometimes goats. Merced says the sacrifices are neccessary in the Santeria religion to initiate new members, consecrate sacred shells and conduct healing rituals. He says the animals are killed humanely and the meat is eaten.

Euless police have stopped Merced from conducting the sacrifices without a city permit. Yet, when he has tried to get a permit from the city it is always denied.

Merced wrote in an affidavit to the lawsuit, "We do not want to break the law, and yet we are entitled to practice our religion. Santeria cannot continue to function, much less exist, without animal sacrifice."

I believe the city is wrong on this issue. The Supreme Court decided in a Florida case in 1993 that animal sacrifice is a form of religious worship that is protected by the United States Constitution. Merced and other followers of Santeria have the right to practice their religion without interference from city officials, even though the rituals may involve the sacrificing of animals.

According to Merced, the rituals are performed indoors and people outside would not be able to see or hear them. The city should just give Merced his permit and ask him to keep the rituals low-key so neighbors are not disturbed. In light of the 1993 Supreme Court decision, it would just be a waste of time and taxpayers' money to try and fight the religion in court.