Posted on 03/13/2010 5:21:54 AM PST by stars & stripes forever
The city of Gilbert, Ariz., has ordered a group of seven adults to stop gathering for Bible studies in a private home because such meetings are forbidden by the city's zoning codes. The issue was brought to a head when city officials wrote a letter to a pastor and his wife informing them they had 10 days to quit having the meetings in their private home. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Our church has a couple every month, beside the ones conducted at church on Sunday. If this is illegal, so are family reunions held at homes, birthday parties, family cookouts, etc. Not to mention the holidays as another poster noted above.
And, as you state, the city should be sued. Not only does it confront the right of freedom of Religion, it confronts the right to peaceably assemble.
So they had better not let any Girl Scout, Boy Scout, Little League team, city softball team, etc., etc, etc., meet in any private residence either.
The city council had better not ever meet more than two at a time at a private residence.
Who do these jokers think they are, a Home Owner's Association???
Here is what I sent him:
Dear Sir,
Thank you for giving this church the expanded public platform to highlight the difference between the misguided laws of men and the love of God.
In Christ
Sounds like its time for the Christians in AZ to fight the Good Fight!
COLD. DEAD. HANDS.
My Bible study group is upwards of thirty people each week. I can understand using a site that allows for parking and that many people on a weekly basis, but SEVEN? That is just nitpicking with them.
"This ban is defended based upon traffic, parking, and building safety concerns. However, nothing in its zoning code prevents weekly Cub Scouts meetings, Monday Night Football parties with numerous attendees or large business parties from being held on a regular basis in private homes," the ADF said.
“And, as you state, the city should be sued. Not only does it confront the right of freedom of Religion, it confronts the right to peaceably assemble.”
If we don’t start making life tough on these cretins, nothing will stop them.
How about signs in the neighborhood like “Come to our football party, $10 gets you drinks and snacks. Watch on a 42” television.”
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
But then you would have the TV networks, NFL and local ABC License holders going after you, not to mention the ABC because you are ‘selling’ booze...
This FREEDOM of ours ain’t all that it is advertised to be.
s/s/
Mostly tongue in cheek, but, sadly, a lot of truth to above..
Would you want your neighbor to turn his home into a homeless shelter? or how about a truck stop? or maybe a convenience store? I mean it's private property right? he can do what ever he wishes right? Maybe he can turn his front lawn into a outdoor bazaar everyday... I mean heck ! it's HIS property right? what do your thoughts matter!
Because that is why certain areas are zoned residential, because you don't want someone turning their house next to you into a toxic waste disposal site or anything else offensive.
I know... your gonna say... but it's just a bible study...
Ok... so it would be ok if 100 people showed up 12 hours a day for that “bible study” ? what if they set up a stage in their back yard and started playing praise band music at 200 db. most of the night?
“This ban is defended based upon traffic, parking, and building safety concerns. However, nothing in its zoning code prevents weekly Cub Scouts meetings, Monday Night Football parties with numerous attendees or large business parties from being held on a regular basis in private homes,” the ADF said.’
ONLY religious gatherings are outlawed.
Sue.
This can’t hold up in court, and might be a blow to the madness that is zoning laws.
Not just the parking, either. In many communities there are fire codes stipulating how many people are allowed to congregate (even for a one-time occasion) in a space with a given area and a given amount of exits. Forget arguing about it; fire codes are sacred in court.
Further, the restrictions imposed by the city violate the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which grants significant authority for churches to pursue their ministry goals.
Finally, Blomberg said, "the First Amendment's free-speech clause prevents the town from stopping the church from holding its meetings on the public sidewalk outside the pastor's home, yet the town won't allow him to hold the same meetings just a few feet away in the privacy of his own living room."
Not to mention Freedom to Assemble.
That would be cruel and unusual punishment. Only hymns should be played that loud. :)
From the "Community Vision" at the top of the city's website:
Gilbert is a Town that flourishes as a forward-looking, family-oriented community with a small town atmosphere. Gilbert has the resources and desire to grow and develop as a quality community. Its well-educated, concerned residents want to manage the future.
Okay, Gilbert. If this story is true, it's time to prove you mean what you say about being a family-oriented community.
So when the local Sharia law council and friday prayer meeting occurs will they close that down too?
It'll always be the fire chief's business. It would not surprise me if one day soon, somewhere in the US, the fire chief got on the case of some large family in a home without enough exits. Then the code guy will command them to make some or get out in x number of days.
Sometimes I think even politically aware folks are just not all that aware of how bad it is in this supposedly free country. If the authorities want to hassle, harass, fine, stifle, incarcerate or DESTROY you, they will find a legal way.
A spokeswoman for the city of Gilbert told WND city officials were aware of the concern and planned to address it.
Vice Mayor Linda Abbott told WND the code apparently was adopted years earlier, and there was considerable concern on the city council because of the current issues.
"I'm not in favor of that code. That is something we would want revisited," she said.
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