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Thousands and thousands of small group Bible studies take place in the homes of people all over this country every day. I know of very few churches that do not have such small group Bible studies. I have never before heard of someone trying to force those who host such groups into getting a license or permit to have a group of friends come to their private homes for such an occasion. And if, as some have suggested, it were just a matter of parking or 15 people creating a "fire hazard" then there would have been no reason for the official to have questioned the home owner about what religious practices were going on.
My mother happens to be a pastor, so I know a little something about this topic.
To the state the church is a building. It's not the congregation. However, the state doesn't distinguish the two separately from one another. In their mind if you are congregating together and practicing religion, with people convening to a building, it's the same as a church, meaning it's subject to the same law as an actual church building.
I'm not justifying it, I'm explaining what the mindset was here in response to the wild theory that they were charging them to practice religion against the Constitution. They're not. No Constitutional rights were violated. They can practice religion all they want - PERSONAL religion, not hosted religion. If you want to host religion on a regular basis, that's a church...and you have to pay for it same as a church. Even if you're only doing bible study. The state neither understands nor cares about whether you're just reading and talking about the Bible or actually preaching. If such a law did not exist, they would have tons of actual church sessions going on in houses with them not paying for permits or taxes, parking would be nightmarish in neighborhoods, and people would complain.
Again, I'm just explaining the mindset.
Good to hear from some one with actual knowledge (not blog 'fact') on the subject.
Thousands and thousands of small group Bible studies take place in the homes of people all over this country every day. I know of very few churches that do not have such small group Bible studies. I have never before heard of someone trying to force those who host such groups into getting a license or permit to have a group of friends come to their private homes for such an occasion. And if, as some have suggested, it were just a matter of parking or 15 people creating a "fire hazard" then there would have been no reason for the official to have questioned the home owner about what religious practices were going on.
Thankyou for this post.. this is my stance as well... I don't understand the legal authority in concerning itself with the religious practices taking place... but if they wanted to address parking, traffic, noise.. it certainly would be valid...
What has that got to do with Christianity???? Obviously, you are illiterate, when it comes to Bible knowledge. God destroyed a number of different peoples that were evil. He once gave instructions to kill every living thing. Leave nothing. That meant, women, children, all livestock...everything.
So, I ask again: What has his comment got to do with Christianity?
There you go, making assumptions. I was raised Baptist/Pentecostal. I've read the Bible many times.
Read the comment again, and try to figure it out on your own, unless you are illiterate and can only read the word "Christian" and have your own knee-jerk reaction to it.
It's 15 people, once a week in a house. 15 people! I'm sure many, many homes in San Diego have more then that every Sunday to watch the Chargers game. Where's the county official's complaints on that one?
Oh, and who's the dufus that made this bizarre distinction between "personal religion" and "hosted religion?" What nonsense.
"If the current trends in our nation continue, churches may be forced underground. If that happens, believers will once again be forced to meet in homes. If homes are already closed by the government to assembly and worship, where then will Christians meet?"
This is from the lawyer hired by the homeowners. What is more likely--what the lawyer describes or that neighbors were tired of cars lining the street and the occasional blocking of the sidewalk?
Home: No place for Bible study
County demands pastor obtain $10,000 permit to host friends
She says she was then told, however, that she must stop holding "religious assemblies" until she and her husband obtain a Major Use Permit from the county, a permit that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars.
it would look like they would have done either some structure modifications or property usage modifications, so the whole "religious" sideshow would seem to be bogus.
A major use permit is not obtained for a 'assembly or meetings'.It is for land uses with special site or design requirements.
Building modifications. Turning your backyard into a pond or paved parking lot. Using a residential property for a commercial use.
Of course, that is not what those who are outraged, want to hear.
Last edited by plannine; 05-23-2009 at 08:49 PM..
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