Frank Costanza, the founder of Festivus. (Photo Credit: CC BY/Daniel Krieger/Wikipedia)

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants Americans the freedom to practice whichever religion they choose. This applies even to prison inmates, so long as free religious practice does not compromise prison security, require outlandish economic expense or make outlandish requests the prison is unable to feasibly grant. As the Orange County Register reports, inmate Malcolm Alarmo King and his legal representative exercised his First Amendment rights. Now King is receiving three kosher meals a day based upon a judge’s acceptance of Festivus as a legitimate religious faith.

Festivus: Kosher for the rest of us

An imaginary religion founded by the cantankerous Frank Costanza (played by comedian Jerry Stiller on TV’s “Seinfeld”), Festivus is essentially an anti-consumerism spin on Christmas. An unadorned aluminum pole replaces the gaudy Douglas fir swathed in distracting tinsel, while feats of strength and airing of grievances replace merry holiday carols.

While 38-year-old Liberian Malcolm King, a longtime inmate at Theo Lacy jail in Orange, Calif., is not one for Festivus miracles per se, he is a fan of healthy eating. Rather than accept the standard salami meals Theo Lacy offers, King asked his lawyer Fred Thiagarajah to petition for kosher meals, which are more expensive for prisons to provide but more in keeping with King’s desire to maintain his healthy physique.

State religious preference here

In order to receive kosher meals, Malcolm King had to state his religious preference. Not having one, he smartly responded with “Healthism.” Once the Sheriff’s Department challenged the response, King’s dietary regimen went before the court. Judge Derek Johnson told Thiagarajah that a real religious preference would have to be listed on the paperwork if King wanted kosher meals.

Thiagarajah’s quick-witted response was ‘Festivus’

After some research, it was discovered that former “Seinfeld” writer Dan O’Keefe’s father actually created a kind of proto-Festivus. Dan O’Keefe later wrote it into the program. In 2010, a judge ruled and now Malcolm Alarmo King gets three non-salami meals per day. Apparently, there is as much concise, unequivocal evidence that Festivus is a legitimate religion as there is for any other faith-based institution.

Sources

Orange County Register

Prisoners’ Rights Under Law

The story of Festivus

The list of December Holidays 2010 give a lot of reasons to celebrate a cold month. Image: Flickr / Andrea Parrish / CC-BY-SA

December is a month of celebrations and holidays. The list of December holidays for 2010 includes much more than just the standard holidays. For most everyone, there is something to celebrate in December holidays for 2010.

Month-long December holidays 2010

The December Holidays for 2010 include several month-long celebrations. December is Universal Human Rights Month, a month to recognize and work toward human rights for all. December is also Safe Toys and Gifts Month. With thousands of toys being both given and received during the month of December, this is an especially appropriate December holiday. Every year, a list of dangerous toys is released, encouraging only safe toys to be given as gifts.

Nonreligious December holidays 2010

The first day of December is World AIDS day. This is a day to raise awareness of AIDS infections and to look for treatment. Dec. 1 is also National Pie Day. Dec. 2 is National Fritters day, and Dec. 4 is National Cookie Day. Dec. 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. December 2010 will be the 69th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Continuing the food theme, Dec. 8 is National Brownie Day. Dec. 17 is both Wright Brothers Day and Pan-American Aviation Day, a celebration of the 107th anniversary of the first flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright. If you feel like being a bit odd, Dec. 18 is National Wear a Plunger on your Head Day. Dec. 21 is Forefather’s Day, as well as National Humbug Day and Look at the Bright Side Day.

Religious December holidays 2010

On sundown on Dec. 1, Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, begins. The Islamic New Year celebration is one of the major December holidays of 2010, beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 7 (or 1432 AH on the Islamic calendar). Dec. 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception for Catholics and many Christian sects. The Winter Solstice, a celebration of the turning of the seasons for many religions, is on Dec. 21. Festivus, a holiday started by Seinfeld, is on Dec. 23. Christmas Day is Dec. 25, which falls on a Saturday this year. Dec. 26 begins the seven-day celebration of Kwanzaa. All in all, December Holidays 2010 pack the month full of reasons to celebrate.