The Good Dr. West reported this story earlier this week (Here). Unfortunately, not everyone was as skeptical as Dr. West seemingly was. The Blogosphere is aflame with the report now, but shouldn’t we be worried about a few things?
Here are a few highlights from the FoxNews story:
“On Good Friday we had an employee from San Diego County come to our house, and inform us that the Bible study that we were having was a religious assembly, and in violation of the code in the county.” David Jones told FOX News.
“We told them this is not really a religious assembly — this is just a Bible study with friends. We have a meal, we pray, that was all,” Jones said.
A few days later, the couple received a written warning that cited “unlawful use of land,” ordering them to either “stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit,” the couple’s attorney Dean Broyles told San Diego news station 10News.
Well, the issues with this story are many:
- They are three miles away from their church
- No title given for the official
- The warning was ‘written’ – on what, a sticky note?
I guess I like to have a little bit more of the ‘fair and balanced’ report – such as the San Diego county’s side. Further, since no one is claiming responsibility for the County, why are people making such a big deal? How do we know it was not some irate neighbor who works for the county?
For a great response and a more balanced view, go here.
May 29th, 2009 6:22 pm
Thanks for the “fair and balanced” reporting, Carrie! A neighbor complaining about parked cars…
May 29th, 2009 6:26 pm
[...] The Internet Monk has a great post on the subject. So does Polycarp. [...]
May 29th, 2009 6:28 pm
Sigh …
You know, I like to think that I don’t fall for things too easily. I think that the “Wolf!” cry got me this time.
I forgot that sometimes Christians aren’t picked on because of their faith … sometimes it’s because we can act like jerks.
May 30th, 2009 2:03 am
[...] Also at, The Church of Jesus Christ: Can you really believe everything you read? The San Diego House Church [...]
May 31st, 2009 2:47 pm
Interestingly, this news story struck a cord with me as a pastor. Why? Because in trying to help another churches start home Bible Studies, cell groups, and home churches in some of the areas where fellow churches are located we have met the same county, city, and community hassle. They went door-to-door handing out fliers and answering any questions. They went to the county, the local boards, neighborhood associations, and city… and guess what? Everything was fine until one neighbor complained.
Then all of sudden they needed parking permits, county codes might be broken, they might need to get a zoning permit, a building use permit. Then came the questions: Why were they meeting together? What kind of organization was this? What materials did they use in the study? Were children adequately taken care of? Do you have the proper childcare certification? Are you exceeding fire codes? Each concern was patiently answered and explained, and they went back to the county, the neighborhood association, to each neighbor — even the one who complained and would not admit he did — and… it turned out that no zoning laws were being broken, no permits were needed, and only one neighbor complained. And guess why they complained? They did not want "Bible Thumpers" (his words) "in my neighborhood upsetting my children." Huh? It took over a year of hassles to finally get to the truth from the County. And some actual fees were paid that did not need to be and yet were never refunded. That was several years ago and the Bible Studies are now going on all over the area.
There are neighborhoods and suburbs in our area that actually have written in their neighborhood association codes that no Bible studies or home churches can be done in homes in their areas. Some housing tracts even restrict where churches can be built.
Just so you know…
May 31st, 2009 5:13 pm
Lee, thanks for sharing. While I have no doubt that this does happen, I am still waiting to hear the other side of the story. In one report, there has been some contention in the neighborhood, involving a fender bender. We shall see
May 29th, 2009 7:02 pm
Wickle, I think something is fishy, but if I am wrong, I’ll admit it and donate to the cause.