Posted on 05/28/2009 9:03:23 PM PDT by restornu
SAN DIEGO -- 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.
"For churches and religious assemblies there's big parking concerns, there's environmental impact concerns when you have hundreds or thousands of people gathering. But this is a different situation, and we believe that the application of the religious assembly principles to this Bible study is certainly misplaced," said Broyles.
News of the case has rapidly spread across Internet blogs and has spurred various reactions.
Broyles said his clients have asked to stay anonymous until they give the county a demand letter that states by enforcing this regulation the county is violating their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
Broyles also said this case has broader implications.
"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.
Broyles and his clients plan to give the County their demand letter this week.
If the County refuses to release the pastor and his wife from obtaining the permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.
this has been posted several times and it’s disturbing every time.
Totalitarians like Firefly hate religion because it propagates the idea that there is something greater than them.
Some claim it is parking but if that were the case one would give out parking tickets!
or car pool to cut down on traffic.
They seem to have a lot of land so parking should not be that much of a problem.
Bible reading should not be unlawful use of law.
Don't worry, the ACLU will sue the officials on behalf of these white, Christian, conservative citizens for violation of constitutional rights. Won't they?
Keep an Eye on “Unlawful Use of Land” what China has is it come to America since they hold our debt?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2260295/posts?page=18#18
Nothing surprises me any more. I think we are going to see more and more of things like this going on. A shame it is happening.
Toby
It seems to be becoming the norm.
Obama-bots will be loading Christians into cattle cars as soon as they have the power to do it.
They probably see a Bible study group as a juicy target. Christian work ethics mean they probably have jobs, which means they'll have money.
They need to hold their prayer sessions at the San Diego County offices.
.
Writing tickets isn't about serving and protecting, its about revenue enhancement. And with that mentality displayed, why are cops surprised when people don't respect the person or the position?
As far as the article itself,
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.'"
People are trying to argue a parking issue. Thats just an EXCUSE. If it were really about parking the previous questions NEVER would have been asked.
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