The Law as Teacher

"Swearers, Sabbath-breakers and seducers beware," Clifton Adcock reports today in the Tulsa World. Oklahoma has many statutes on the books that may surprise you. According to the World report:
It is a misdemeanor to slander or falsely and wantonly impute to any female a "want of chastity." The burden of proof lies on the defendant to show that the allegation is true.

Adultery is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $500 fine. Both parties involved can be prosecuted.

Men seducing females under the promise of marriage can look forward to five years (in prison, not marriage). Actually marrying the woman is a defense to the law, but if the couple splits within two years, the seducer can be held liable for seduction and spend up to 10 years in prison.

Obscene or lascivious words in a public place or in the presence of females or children under 10 can get a person a $100 fine and 30 days in jail.

Profane swearing is worth a $1 fine for each offense.

Blasphemy, uttering or publishing words that cast "reproach or profane ridicule upon God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Scriptures or the Christian or any other religion" is a misdemeanor.

Doing an act that the state has "deemed useless" on Sunday is considered Sabbath-breaking and can garner a $25 fine for each offense. The only defense to the law is for the offender to show that he or she keeps another day of the week as a holy time and does not labor on that day.
The World reporter matter-of-factly dubs such laws "archaic" and "backward." Straight news, you understand. No one here but us objective reporters.

Here's one law that caught my attention. According to the World story, "it is illegal to have a show or play without a permit within one mile of a religious meeting." Given that many evangelical churches today have abandoned expository preaching in favor of skits and dramas and other happy-clappy entertainment, one wonders if some Sunday morning worship experiences are themselves in violation of Oklahoma law.

I'm just sayin'.

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