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Posted on 05/29/2009 9:30:16 AM PDT by TheDailyChange
“Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary have been told that they cannot invite friends to their San Diego, Calif. home for a Bible study — unless they are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars to San Diego County.”
“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.”
“If the county thinks they can shut down groups of 10 or 15 Christians meeting in a home, what about people who meet regularly at home for poker night? What about people who meet for Tupperware parties? What about people who are meeting to watch baseball games on a regular basis and support the Chargers?” Broyles asked.
The Bill of Rights Amendment I - Freedoms, Petitions, Assembly Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Besides violating their First Amendment right, this is just another reason why large numbers of California families and businesses will continue to leave the state.
“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.”
“If the county thinks they can shut down groups of 10 or 15 Christians meeting in a home, what about people who meet regularly at home for poker night? What about people who meet for Tupperware parties? What about people who are meeting to watch baseball games on a regular basis and support the Chargers?” Broyles asked.
The Bill of Rights Amendment I - Freedoms, Petitions, Assembly Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Besides violating their First Amendment right, this is just another reason why large numbers of California families and businesses will continue to leave the state.
Cracking down on illegal religious gatherings in private homes.. how Soviet of them..
I guess you now need a permit to hold a Monday Night Football party in San Diego.
Attention Jay Sekulow——sic the ACLJ on these tryrants!
too many cars blocking streets/driveways?
I’ve read this story several times, and I haven’t yet seen who originated the complaint. Was it a neighbor, etc., or is the county doing this on its own? If the county is doing it on its own, how did it find out, and how did it single out this gathering from among was has to be many such gatherings in San Diego County? Whatever the case, I don’t see how they can justify distinguishing a small religious gathering in someone’s home from any other small gathering in someone’s home.
“Do you say amen? Do you pray? Do you praise the Lord?” Questions worthy of a commissar.
Pastor and his wife need to hold weekly poker games instead
with lots of praying before and after each hand
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