Pastor Salman And FamilyPosted on 07/11/2012 8:06:37 AM PDT by joeclarke
[Pastor Michael Salman of Phoenix, Arizona has just been sentenced to 60 days in jail and fined over $10,000 for conducting home church services with about 20 people on weekends. He did refuse to apply for "dozens" of permits in order to hold such services. If you care to do anything proactive, send the Phoenix City Government a message that you are outraged. The email addresses for the Phoenix Mayor and City council are here. Just copy and paste them in your email bcc: mayor.stanton@phoenix.gov council.district.1@phoenix.gov; council.district.5@phoenix.gov; council.district.2@phoenix.gov; council.district.6@phoenix.gov; council.district.3@phoenix.gov; council.district.7@phoenix.gov; council.district.4@phoenix.gov; council.district.8@phoenix.gov]
Sample Dear Honorable Member Of Phoenix Government, I am disgusted after reading the national reports about Phoenix, Arizona jailing and fining a Christian minister for having worship services in his home, where 30 or 40 Christians could gather, just as much as his neighbors could have regular poker parties - on their private property.
According to news reports, you have demanded that Pastor Salman apply for "dozens" of city permits before he be allowed to worship on his property. These actions performed by Phoenix - including the jailing and fining of the minister - are certainly a blemish, a stain, and shameful.
I have been to Phoenix, once, and have friends in the area, and I will avoid doing business with, or traveling to Phoenix for this outrageous action. And, I notice that you have just proudfully given some sort of extra benefit to gay partners, as well as display, in your local museum, a city sponsored art exhibit titled, "Day Of The Dead" - how fitting. Pastor Salman And Family
bump
Please, explain why the Pastor is a jerk, and may I ask what denomination or faith do you ascribe to?
Sorry, no can do.
The dude deserves to sit in jail.
He is using “Bible Study” as a cover story.
I believe his neighbors.
Millions of people are having regular Bible studies in their homes across this country without any problem whatsoever.
Salman is a liar and has brought this upon himself.
OK so he “wanted to build a huge church,” but that’s not why he’s sent to jail is it? And, he’s got a record, and he’s a little nutty. Not every man of God is Joel Olstein. I would hope that he can build his church elsewhere, but that’s not why he’s been jailed. For just wanting to build a church.
Michael Salman wants to build a church in his backyard. His neighbors aren't buying it
My religious affiliation is none of your business.
You appear to have a lot of practice at bullying and intimidating people. No wonder you identify with this guy.
Yes, “60 neighbors signed petitions against him, so that shows you” How about Moslems spitting on and throwing stones at Christians at a Dearborn, Michigan festival. “That shows you” that the Christians are wrong, right?
Salman had a passover service in a new building, so the neighbors called the fire dept because of a lack of sprinklers. The fire dept came, and left without citing. Do you know what mass hysteria is? Its Salman’s alleged intentions that caused the complaints. So go ahead give the benefit of the doubt to the neighbors.
Would you be jumping up to defend this man, who has managed to alienate most of his neighbors - if he were Muslim? Somehow, I think not.
We each have to abide by the laws, and it really doesn’t matter what faith we are. Kind of a 1st ammendment sort of thing, don’t you think. (”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...”).
So, sorry - no Christian denomination gets to break the laws that the rest of us have to abide by. I wouldn’t want my driveway blocke, or neighborhood chocked with cars for with a weekly prayer meeting/Bingo tournament/Quilting Circle/Jihad Retreat or even Boy Scout meeting - every week, for years on end. And I doubt you’d appreciate it much either.
If you want to host a public event, then we have both zones and ordinances that apply for the protection and safety of the public as well as those who attend. You do not get to pick which laws you want to abide by, or which laws you want to agree with; unless you chose to be penalized by the laws you have ignored.
Good grief .. have you even bothered to read about his jerk? If you want to build a Church, fine ... please go right ahead and do it. Abide by the laws, include the facilities to protect those who show up (Fire Alarms, Handicapped access, bathrooms, ample Exits, etc). This man has refused to follow the law, and is hiding behind a Bible ... and people who get so emotionally involved about the Bible, that they neglect to look beyond the Bible - are lead astray ... apparently very, very easily.
Anyone - repeating again - anyone can build a church. The first thing is the location, you neighborhood is zoned for private residence. I can't open a asphalt factory in my backyard - because doing so would adversely affect my neighbors. This person is ignoring his neighbors (how very Christ-like, huh?) and ignoring public safety - in a selfish act.
You’re telling about a third of the story. So just tell the folks what really is taking place.
You would not want to have your home located next to this guy’s. In my opinion, the City of Phoenix is doing the right thing. He is trying to turn a residential neighborhood into his own fiefdom.
Muslims will defend an obnoxious and even terrorist Muslim, so are tarred with the same brush. Christians, for the most part are better than that, and are usually more than willing to blame another Christian for being a boor, a criminal, or just being offensive to others.
They understand that “membership” does not make good people, but only good works, good words, and real faith. Just calling oneself a Christian affords no privilege. And this is why Christianity has such a good reputation.
Any group is judged not by its best and brightest, but by its worst and most obnoxious members. Unless the group disavows their bad behavior, and quickly, it lowers itself to their level.
The neighbors appear to be a mixed bag of tools as well. I’m not sure that there’s a “good guy” side in this.
And for clarification, the neighborhood is “zoned” for churches.
The neighbors may be a group of jerks too. I don’t know; but I do know that having to fight neighbhood congestion every week (or multiple times a week) at the same home, since 1996, would get old.
Someone having a backyard wedding, or family reunion? No problem, have a blast. That’s a one time event, not a weekly one. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to live next to this person. You can chose your friends, you can chose your enemies - but you can’t chose your neighbors. This man has opted to irritate 60+ neighbors, and they have all agreed to sign a petition against him.
Can you get 60+ of your neighbors to agree on anything? I think we have consensus on up, down and the color of the sky; but that’s about it.
He’s being jailed because he refused to get the proper permits for the type of building he wants to construct. First he got permits under false pretenses claiming he was erecting a building sort of like a shed or garage - a non occupancy building. Secondly he’s made no attempt to conciliate his neighbors valid concerns.
This guy isn’t being persecuted for righteousness. He’s being persecuted because he’s a jerk. If you want to have a discussion about the tyranny of building codes and zoning restrictions that’s fine but these city requirements do exist. This is not religious persecution. It’s a guy who thinks his “rights” trump the rights of others.
As a Christian he should find a way to operate within the law and ameliorate the concerns of his neighbors
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18
While many of us agree there is huge overreach by the government at all levels, the issues you point out as to zoning, ordinances for public safety, etc., do help save lives and maintain peace. If he has such staunch followers, they will find a way to rent legitimate church space that does not cause a disruption to his neighborhood.
Joe ... it's time you got your head back in the game and started paying attention.
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