San Diego County Threatens to Fine Couple for Holding Bible Study Meetings

[faith4life]

San Diego County Threatens to Fine Couple for Holding Bible Study Meetings


10 News
May 28, 2009


A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold bible studies in their home, 10News reported.

Attorney Dean Broyles of The Western Center For Law & Policy was shocked with what happened to the pastor and his wife. Broyles said, “The county asked, ‘Do you have a regular meeting in your home?’ She said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you say amen?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you pray?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you say praise the Lord?’ ‘Yes.’”
The county employee notified the couple that the small bible study, with an average of 15 people attending, was in violation of county regulations, according to Broyles.
Broyles said a few days later the couple received a written warning that listed “unlawful use of land” and told them to “stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit” — a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.


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[missy2shoes]

whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Aliciaforjesus]

What will we do if we can't go in our churches, or carry a bibles?

Where will your faith be in people or Jesus?

It's coming!!!

 

[Dragoon9]

Good.

Let it come.

We have grown apathetic in our Christianity that requires no sacrifice. No service. No action. No commitment. No faith.

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Ti 3:12)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

If our fellowships are not mature, and are blown by every wind of controversy and false teaching, perhaps it is because we have been trying to pray away the trials that would complete us. When Christ stood with his disciples at Gethsemane, he did not tell them to pray that they do not get troubles, but rather to pray that you will not fall into temptation (Luke 22:40).

Let the world come. May the Lord give me strength not to fall, but to stand firm in Him.

 

[1still_waters]

Well I don't know if this is as alarmist situation as it's being made out to be.......

There is such a thing called zoning. Some cities set up certain parts of the city for business and others for residential purposes.

Imagine being in a neighborhood where repeatedly you have a neighbor that has tons of cars parked near their house or on the road at least once a week. Whether they were throwing a party or having a Bible study, such a weekly situation like this could create a neighborhood nuisance.

In residential neighborhoods there may not be room to consistently park cars for massive bible studies with 15 or more folks driving their cars.

Some times these home studies grow in numbers and if that happens, then there will be MORE cars seeking a place to park once a week in the residential section.

I think the untold story our alarmists aren't telling us is the logistical problem of where to park all those cars in a residential neighborhood.

 

[1still_waters]

That many cars in a residential section could also be a fire hazard.

Seriously, this isn't the last days, gestapo swarming the house to shut down a home church scenario that many are making it out to be. There's probably just too many cars in a residential section at once and it isn't safe.

 

[BLC]

Those are some good practical points that do relate to the petition of 'land use'. What was a little odd was the questions that were asked, like 'Do you say Amen or praise the Lord' at these gatherings. Sounds like they were going for 'disturbing the peace' or things that 'adversely effect others' as well as land use. Parking for home studies has never set well with residents especially when it goes on every week. If this situation required a permit for permission to use their residentially zoned property for other uses, that would violate zoning laws as well. Permits are given to function within the zoned property and the laws that govern that zone. Their zoning laws may be different, but that is why their are zoning laws. You usually have the freedom to function within your property as long as it is not unruly and does not infringe on zoning or the peace of your neighbor or neighborhood. It usually has nothing to do with preference, but we live in a day that when complaints are made, the authorities usually do something about it to keep the peace. Permits normally are minimal for a one time event but if they are doing this weekly, it may be a problem for them. They should comply in anyway possible without violating zoning laws and having to obtain a permit, but at the same time have the freedom to practice their faith and religion with no fear of repercussion.

 

[Hummingbird61]

And so it begins. This should not surprise anyone considering the world we live in.

 

[whiteknite]

Another attack on Christianity and the United States Constitution. This is so very tragic