California Couple Fined $300 for Holding Home Bible Studies

[line-em-up]

Reason 1001 to nuke California. If these were muslums, they would be offering to pay to build them a mosque. Though, I can somewhat understand the problem with finding parking for 50 people.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/21/california-couple-fined-300-for-holding-home-bible-studies/

A southern California family has been fined for holding regular Bible studies at their home because it violates a city zoning code, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
The city of San Juan Capistrano, in Orange County, fined Charles and Stephanie Fromm $300 for having as many as 50 people assembled at their home twice a week, the Times reported. City officials also warned the couple that subsequent fines could increase if they continued to host the Bible studies without obtaining a special permit.
A religious legal non-profit group, the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), has taken up the case saying the fine was a violation of religious freedom.
A spokeswoman for the city of San Juan Capistrano stressed that local authorities were not trying to prohibit home Bible study.
Instead, she said the city fined the Fromms for transforming a residential area into a place where people regularly assemble.
"The Fromm case further involves regular meetings on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons with up to 50 persons, with impacts on the residential neighborhood on street access and parking," spokeswoman Cathy Salcedo said in an email to The Los Angeles Times.
Brad Dacus, an attorney for the Public Justice Institute, said the Fromms live in a semi-rural area and have not caused any parking problems for neighbors.
The city "needed some kind of rational basis to justify their rigid intolerance towards this family for having a Bible study in their home," Dacus told the Times.
He said the Fromms should have their money returned, adding that PJI intends to defend "this family's home Bible study all the way to the US Supreme Court, if necessary."
The Fromms could not be reached Wednesday for comment, the Times said.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/21...#ixzz1YdyWCvkd

[Forever_frost]

If this was a group studying the Koran or whatever the fucking Kawanza bitches worship, they'd not have opened their mouths. Christians? Perfectly fine to persecute.

[Sgt Beavis]

<---- Christian

IF the city is telling the truth, then I think they had no choice in the matter. We have Bible study at our house every so often but if our group gets to big we will simply split it into another group.

It has been my experience that Bible study groups are usually pretty small. It gives everyone a chance to interact in worship and fellowship. IMO, fifty seems a bit excessive. They should consider breaking it up into multiple groups around the city. If the city officials are truly anti-Christian, wouldn't it get under their skin to see 5 to 10 Bible study groups springing up all around the city with a better chance to spread the Gospel?

Again, this is only if the city is telling the truth. People in positions of power don't exactly have a glowing reputation these days.

[VaderTT]

<----Anti-thesist


I'm good with this, just need to be fair and fine all religions.

[The King]

If this was a group studying the Koran or whatever the fucking Kawanza bitches worship, they'd not have opened their mouths. Christians? Perfectly fine to persecute.

That's 'cause we can handle it, knowing that it is really of no consequence.

[Cannonball996]

this has nothing to do with bible study... 50 people likely means 50 cars, and twice a week, $300 fine is letting them off easy. with that many people they could easily afford commercial property.

I doubt you could get away with this even in texas.

[racrguy]

If this was a group studying the Koran or whatever the fucking Kawanza bitches worship, they'd not have opened their mouths. Christians? Perfectly fine to persecute.

Christians being persecuted? I lol'd

[Jimbo]

this has nothing to do with bible study... 50 people likely means 50 cars, and twice a week, $300 fine is letting them off easy. with that many people they could easily afford commercial property.

I doubt you could get away with this even in texas.

It just depends on which side you choose to believe. I know you are a "go establishment!" kind of guy, but I generally tend to err on the side of people until I have proof.

Brad Dacus, an attorney for the Public Justice Institute, said the Fromms live in a semi-rural area and have not caused any parking problems for neighbors.

[racrguy]

It just depends on which side you choose to believe. I know you are a "go establishment!" kind of guy, but I generally tend to err on the side of people until I have proof.

No offense, but to take what the Pacific Justice Institute says about where the family lives is a bit far as well. Work the googles, get an address, and actually see if it's "rural." I can live in a rural area but live in a cluster of 10 or so houses, therefore causing a problem for neighbors. See where I'm going with this?

Edit: Regardless of where they lived. I'm sure there are ordinances in the city that govern these types of gatherings. Someone complained, and the homeowners were cited for not following the already set ordinances, not because of what they were doing, but how they were doing it. If you want to gather that many people with that frequency, get a permit and all is well. If not, have fun paying your fine.

Persecution my ass.

[Danny46]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[Slowhand]

<----Anti-thesist


I'm good with this, just need to be fair and fine all religions.

Fuck essays. No thesises for you!

[racrguy]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

You can't read. There are no indications that they got fined because it was a religious get together. They were fined because they didn't have the proper permits for the regular gathering of so many people in a residential neighborhood.

Just because you cite something as religiously based does not give you the ability to do things carte blanche. You still have to follow laws and ordinances in place wherever you are doing what you're doing.

[Jimbo]

No offense, but to take what the Pacific Justice Institute says about where the family lives is a bit far as well. Work the googles, get an address, and actually see if it's "rural." I can live in a rural area but live in a cluster of 10 or so houses, therefore causing a problem for neighbors. See where I'm going with this?

Edit: Regardless of where they lived. I'm sure there are ordinances in the city that govern these types of gatherings. Someone complained, and the homeowners were cited for not following the already set ordinances, not because of what they were doing, but how they were doing it. If you want to gather that many people with that frequency, get a permit and all is well. If not, have fun paying your fine.

Persecution my ass.

I agree. If it is an issue about encroaching on others, or public property, then the city is justified in questioning the gatherings. My point is, until that is proven, I have the habit of presuming the innocence of anyone charged/fined by a government entity.