Pastor Arrested

ACLJ (from a fund raising solicitation) | 5/21/2005 | ACLJ

[JimRed]

Pastor Oginni's small church had rented a day care facility for more than two years because they didn't have enough money yet to build a building of their own.

They were celebrating their church's birthday when a local police officer arrived and began asking questions.

Three days later, the owner of the day care center was summoned to appear in court!

A police officer again arrived during a Sunday morning service.

The policeman claimed he wanted to speak with the pastor in private and have him fill out a form at his office. The officer's patrol car was blocking the pastor's own vehicle, so the pastor didn't really have much choice.

Once they got to the police station, the officer placed the pastor under arrest for "conducting business/service without proper license"!

Now let me remind you of this fact: Congress itself is barred by the U.S. Constitution from "prohibiting the free exercise" of religion "or abridging the freedom of speech, or of ... the right of the people peaceably to assemble."

This entire humiliating incident is nothing less than religious discrimination. But - as I told you before - we will not let this unfair, hostile treatment go unchallenged.

That's why we're asking you to give generously today ...

[JimRed]

As stated above, this is from a fund raising e-mail I received from this organization. I usually would agree that this is harassment, but if the church is charging for the day care services and is not properly licensed, aren't they in violation?

Arresting the pastor seems a bit much (they could have mailed a summons instead), but shouldn't the church be required to "render unto Caesar"?

[Jaysun]

As stated above, this is from a fund raising e-mail I received from this organization. I usually would agree that this is harassment, but if the church is charging for the day care services and is not properly licensed, aren't they in violation?


Yes, if it's a daycare they should have a license according to whatever the law is. Arresting the pastor is absurd. Not having a license should get you fined, maybe shutdown, but not arrested.

[Lazamataz]

Don't give money to commies.

[Corin Stormhands]

I think there is more to this story than what you got in the email.

[joshhiggins]

Not enough information given.
Was the pastor merely renting the day care center space on Sundays, for services?
Was the church running the Day Care or was the landlord?
What previous communications had the police had with the pastor?
I suspect there is a lot more to this story.

[OldSmaj]

That's why we're asking you to give generously today ...

And therein lies the rub...

Methinks there is a lot more to this than meets the eye.

I've noted that many religious organizations are resorting to what amounts to inflammatory rhetoric in order to solicit funds.

Passing the collection plate before the sermon just don't get it anymore, I guess.

[yarddog]

I would like to know the whole story but the ACLJ is a good organiation as far as I know.

[Ditter]

It is difficult to figure out what is going on sometimes. I was a founding member of a Presbyterian church that held services in a members garage until we could build a building. We were sued by members of the neighborhood and forced to move. They said it violated the deed restrictions, the judge agreed and they won. I have yet to understand our opponents real reason, except hatefulness, for wanting us to stop. I thought that all churches began that way.

[Graybeard58]

You had a crappy neighbor. They are scattered around everywhere.

[Mercat]

The power to tax is the power to destroy.

[JimRed]

Don't give money to commies.

Laz, this is NOT the ACLU, but the ACLJ.

I never send money to e-mail solicitations, anyway.

[FreePaul]

I lived in a neighborhood with strict deed restrictions as well as city ordinances restricting activities. Church activities were exempt. A church group started up near us. They have since grown to be a large church which blocks streets and driveways with parking and generally creates a nuisance all the time. They play music through outside speakers without regard for their neighbors. We no longer live near them but their current neighbors have constant problems with them.

Maybe your neighbors were just trying to protect themselves and their property. If they let you violate the use restrictions they may not be able to enforce them in the future.

[YOUGOTIT]

Why would they come on Sunday when a service is going on? Why not wait until Monday and take whatever action is necessary? Looks as though the police wanted to make the news. Did they have the TV or any reporters with them or did they do this so the pastor could not post bail until Monday and be forced to spent the night in jail.

I think there are people on the force that need to be dismissed as incompetent, they are making the 99% who do a great job look bad. They just tasered another kid (14 years old) here in Florida who was in handcuffs and on the ground.

[Bear_Slayer]

They have since grown to be a large church which blocks streets and driveways with parking and generally creates a nuisance all the time. They play music through outside speakers without regard for their neighbors

Disturbing the peace and public nuisance laws should apply here.

[Ditter]

The house where we held church services was on a cul de sac with several vacant lots, one of which we owned, so parking was not a problem. 25 to 50 people met only on Sunday morning for 1 hour and we had no sound system of any kind. There were no other activities at that address any other time of the week. It was a small residential island with no other facilities in which we could meet. A few weeks after the trial, construction on a community building/courthouse/police station was completed and we began to meet there. As soon as possible we collected funds and build a beautiful small church on the island. The person who brought the suit against us moved away and then committed suicide.

[Louis Foxwell]

A church group started up near us. They have since grown to be a large church which blocks streets and driveways with parking and generally creates a nuisance all the time.

Church exemption from restrictions on gathering in a private home does not preclude them from abiding by generally enforced nuisance neighbor laws.

Excessive noise, blocking flow of traffic and so forth are code violations in any municipality. A series of complaints to the police will result in a court appearance. The church's host will have to explain why they should be allowed to continue inviting religious friends to their home.

Such a rowdy bunch, these Christians.

[Balding_Eagle]

I suspect there's a lot more to the story than was put in the fundraising letter. And if it would have helped their case, they would have told it.

[raybbr]

Passing the collection plate before the sermon just don't get it anymore, I guess.

We had a priest here tell his congregation that he did not want to see dollar bills in the collection plate any more. Just tens and twenties.

[HereInTheHeartland]

"That's why we're asking you to give generously today ..."

Thats usually the first sign of a scam. Don't believe them.

[TXnMA]

I've noted that many religious organizations are resorting to what amounts to inflammatory rhetoric in order to solicit funds.

Document specific examples, please...