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Name:	lotowner -	Reply
Subject:	Home Bible Studies
Date:	5/28/2009 2:52:22 PM

Folks, stay tuned on the evaporation of one of our many freedoms. This time it's home Bible Study. See the following article.

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?" said Broyles.

Broyles and his clients plant 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.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	I doubt
Date:	5/28/2009 4:06:16 PM

this is any vast left wing conspiracy. More than likely, the neighbors complained about the parking or the traffic; or the the pastor and the sheriff have other differences.
You know, just because a group is reading the Bible doesn't necessarily give them a pass to break a county ordnance.

Name:	lotowner -	Reply
Subject:	Home Bible Studies
Date:	5/28/2009 6:17:06 PM

Did you read this article? Parking in neighbors' driveway, etc. was never mentioned as a cause for the actions by the county. Refer to the 3 points below.

1. 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.'"

2. Broyle 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.

3. 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?" said Broyles.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Home Bible Studies
Date:	5/28/2009 6:53:33 PM

Apparently that county restricts religious assemblies at other than churches or designated religious sites.
Article doesn't say if this is a new ordinance or has been on the books; doesn't say if other Bible Study groups have been subject to the same enforcement. You'd really have to see the ordinance to know if it specifically relates to religious services. As I previously noted, just because it's Bible Study doesn't give it a pass if it is prohibited by ordinance. Someone MUST have complained for it to come to the attention of law enforcement -- unless there is more to the story.

I'm always a bit suspicious of this stuff that shows up on the internet -- it's almost always in another state and never provides the complete facts. And I don't see that it has any impact on Alabama at all.

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