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Arizona man sent to jail for holding Bible studies in his home
Fox News ^ | August 5, 1012 | Maegan Vazquez

Posted on 08/05/2012 9:40:35 AM PDT by Zakeet

A Phoenix pastor who was jailed for holding a Bible study group on his private property is now holding one behind bars.

Michael Salman is serving a 60-day sentence in Maricopa County's notorious Tent City jail for allegedly violating his probation by holding religious services on his property in violation of zoning and building codes. He was arrested July 9, after authorities charged the one-time gang member hosted Bible sessions for as many 80 people on his 4-acre property, which he tried to claim as a tax-exempt church.

[Snip]

The married father of six is an ordained pastor of Church of God in Christ and founder of Harvest Christian Fellowship. He and his family believe he has the right to worship at home on his private property.

"The only people who came to our home were family and friends," Salman said in a video posted online before he reported to jail this week. "Our home was not open to the public; it was private."

His wife, Suzanne Salman, said her husband's constitutional rights have been violated.

"Christians deserve the right to gather at their homes privately just like every other American has the right to gather for their reasons," she told FoxNews.com.

But the city rejects the idea that Salman is doing time for saving souls.

"The case is about the building that is used for regular assembly does not meet construction and fire code requirements for assembly," Phoenix officials said in a statement.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: biblestudies; christian; firstamendment; jail; persecution
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To: eclecticEel
Christians are commanded to live peaceably with all men...

Some folks can't be lived peaceably with. They will make a habit of finding something to gripe about, and some of those will press their neighbors to join them. They sow the seeds of dissent wherever they go, and where there are two people, they will pit one against the other.

By their fruits ye shall know them.

61 posted on 08/06/2012 1:00:41 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing)
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To: editor-surveyor
Churches are not commercial, and have traditionally been solely located in residential neighborhoods. Nice try though.

Churches are classified as commercial in regards to zoning.

There are three basic types of zoning, 1.)residential, 2.)residential/commercial and 3.commercial

The churches you see in within homes are in residential/commercial zoning.

Try to put up a church in a residential only zone..it ain't gonna happen.

Of course non of this applies out in the country where pretty much anything goes(no or minimal zoning)..I'm talking abut cities.

62 posted on 08/06/2012 5:58:12 AM PDT by trailhkr1
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To: trailhkr1

No, churches are definitely not classified as commercial WRT zoning.

And there are about 17 basic zoning classifications in use by the APA.

There is no such thing as “residential/commercial” zones.

You’re talking about what you don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been to more than 1000 zoning hearings, and probably more than 4000 specific meetings with planners; don’t blow dog poop at me.


63 posted on 08/06/2012 3:12:50 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they were.)
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To: Principled

No, the problem has nothing to do with cars. In Phoenix parking cars in the street is prohibited due to flash flood hazards. Nobody that has ever lived in Phoenix would think that they could park in the street in front of their house.


64 posted on 08/06/2012 3:17:19 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they were.)
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To: editor-surveyor
You're right. Cars was the problem with the story previous to this one. The problem in this situation has nothing to do with religion though:

"The case is about the building that is used for regular assembly does not meet construction and fire code requirements for assembly," Phoenix officials said in a statement.

and

Salman has assembled a Bible study group on site that has been attended by as many as 30 inmates

and

Salman has done hard time before. The former gang member was arrested for a drive-by shooting as well as being charged with impersonating a police officer. His neighbors say the physically imposing Salman makes them nervous,

and

Homeowners Association President Mike Simms told FoxNews.com Salman applied for a permit to build a game room on his property, but installed pew-like seats and a pulpit. Salman has responded by saying "game room" was the best description available for what they were building.

WTF? Gameroom? Really?

It's not about religion.

65 posted on 08/06/2012 7:27:51 PM PDT by Principled (Vote Romney to stop Obama. Vote for conservative Reps and Senators to stop Romney. [ZET 7/30/12])
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To: Principled

You and the city tyrants are fighting with the “free exercise” clause of the first amendment.

Zoning cannot over-ride, and must mold itself to, the first amendment.


66 posted on 08/06/2012 8:27:37 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they were.)
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