Coerced Christianity: A Texas judge is accused of opening court with Bible readings and prayers in order to determine who is a Christian, and who is not.

According to reports, Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack has been opening court sessions with Christian prayers and Bible readings. As a result, individuals fear that if they appear uncomfortable with the Christian ritual, the judge will be biased towards them when deciding their case.

In a complaint filed the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a citizen explains that Mack begins each session by warning court visitors that he’s about to read from the Bible and say a prayer.

The following is an excerpt from a letter of complaint sent to Judge Mack by the FFRF:

We understand that in August you opened one of your court sessions with the Christian prayer. We believe that this is regular practice in your courtroom. A concerned Montgomery County resident who had business before you contacted us to report that after you entered the courtroom you stated, “We are going to say a prayer. If any of you are offended by that you can leave into the hallway and your case will not be affected.” After that announcement, we understand that you introduced a pastor who read from the bible for more than five minutes. While the pastor was reading, our complainant says, “I felt that the Judge was watching for reactions from the courtroom; bowed heads, indifference, etc. I definitely felt that our cases would be affected by our reactions [to the bible reading].” Our complainant further says, “Once the Bible reading was over we were then asked to bow our heads to pray. I was very uncomfortable and certainly felt that I was being coerced into following this ritual and that the outcome of my case depended upon my body language.”

Rather than putting an end to the offensive, illegal, and blatantly unconstitutional practice, Mack is doubling down, holding a prayer breakfast to celebrate and flaunt his untoward behavior. The following is an excerpt from an email Mack sent out to his supporters:

… I have been put on notice by the staff attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Madison Wisconsin. I will be addressing their demand that we “immediately end the practice of court prayer” at the Oct 23rd Prayer Breakfast. I am not seeking the potential controversy, as I will have to respond to these groups as well. We are on strong moral and legal ground. I want to make a statement to show those that feel what we are doing is unacceptable, that not only is it acceptable to our community, but show them that God has a place in all aspects of our lives and public service…

In a complaint to the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, FFRF notes that in the prayer breakfast email:

Judge Mack doubles down on his commitment to endorsing religion while acting in his official capacity. The email strongly indicates that Judge Mack will not end his prayer practice and will seek to further entangle his personal religious beliefs with his judicial office. He has demonstrated indifference for how his actions undermine public confidence in his impartiality.

Judge Mack is wrong: publicly practicing his religion in his courtroom has a coercive effect on others, and gives the appearance that his judgements and decisions are predicated on his religious bias, rather than the law of the land.