Posted on 05/28/2009 1:30:17 PM PDT by wagglebee
A San Diego pastor says county officials have told him he needs a permit to host a weekly Bible study in his home.
Pastor David Jones and his wife, Mary, were hosting the weekly study near their church, when they say they were visited by a county code enforcement officer. According to Dean Broyles, an attorney for the Joneses, the county official asked the pastor if they hosted a regular weekly meeting in their home, and if they prayed and said "Amen" and "Praise the Lord" at those meetings.
After replying in the affirmative to those inquiries, a subsequent citation notified the couple they were in violation of county regulations, should stop "religious assembly," and needed to apply for a "major use" permit to continue the gatherings -- a process that could cost several thousands dollars.
Jones, his wife, and their attorney, Dean Broyles, were interviewed on the Fox News Channel. Broyles says the couple's rights have been violated.
"The government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion," says the attorney. "And I believe that our Founding Fathers would roll over in their graves if they saw that here in the year 2009 that a pastor and his wife are being told that they can't have a simple Bible study in their own home."
The American Family Association has launched an online petition drive related to the incident, asking the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to immediately stop interfering with the rights of individuals to hold Bible studies in their homes.
Jones and his wife say they will continue to challenge the county's policy. About 15 people attend the weekly meetings.
No, they would probably tar and feather the bastards who are trying to destroy freedom.
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WTH??
this is disgraceful, our once Great Country, is on it’s way to hell
I like this thread better, more detail. Your link has only a one line excerpt. Tough to download Fox on dialup.
I’m not particularly religous but this is an absolute outrage. This country was founded on the notion of getting away from things just like this. That it could happen here, now is incomprehensible to me.
Insane.
General ping, they are trying to DESTROY our God-given rights!
Please ping your lists.
The First amendment was incorporated by the 14th Amendment. Looks like a clear freedom of religion lawsuit.
Just how close are we to being a Communist country? How many people were at this Bible study? What is the difference between hosting a Bridal Shower and a Bible Study besides the “amen” and “Praise the Lord”?
If I did not know any better, I would think Christianity is under attack. (sarcasm).
Oh, let’s see - this was in California. Was the county official a homosexual with an agenda?
Thanks, the search missed it due to a completely different title and source.
With this you can begin the COUNTDOWN to the catastrophic(Irwin Allen like) earthquake which will devastate CA.
This will be overturned in court.
We are not that far gone, not yet!
Okay, I was so mad I did not read the entire article. Fifteen people in attendance - bridal showers, birthday parties, even barbeques usually have 15 or more in attendance. Have any of these events been visited by officials?
The LEO trying to enforce this garbage needs to be laughed at.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
The mere fact that they are even trying to do this is disturbing enough.
Better than a Bridal Shower would be a Thanksgiving Dinner, a Seder or Easter Brunch, which typically includes a prayer and Amen.
This is a “teachable moment” where we can prove to other liberals that liberal politicians are tyrants, and ignorant on the law.
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