Did you hear about this?
A San Diego County official in Southern California is threatening to fine a local minister and his wife for having people over for a Bible study each week.
Somehow the county official heard about the Bible study, confronted the homeowners about it, and asked them, “Do you have a regular meeting in your home?” She also asked if they say things like, “Praise the Lord,” or “Amen.”
According to the county official, the couple’s Bible study is against county regulations, and a few days after her visit, the couple recieved a written warning saying they were unlawfully using their land and needed to apply for a permit to hold a religious meeting at their home – something that could cost up into the thousands of dollars.
I sure hope San Francisco County officials don’t follow the example of this one in San Diego. If word were to get out at City Hall about what me and my friends do in private homes each week (i.e. have Bible studies), we’d be in major trouble.
What do you think – would any of you be willing to send me a few thousand dollars to buy a permit so that I could lawfully have a Bible study with a few people in a private residence? :p
Outrageous? What do you think?
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I’m curious if they have made the same demands of Hindu families who perform sacrifices in their homes daily. Or from Muslims, or Buddhists, or any other religious group.
Any word on that?
Fact: The County of San Diego is one of the most restrictive, backwards, and business hostile bureaucracies in the Nation.
E-mail Pam Elias the Head of Code Enforcement ( Pam.Elias@sdcounty.ca.gov) and tell her what you think of her staff’s outrageous actions. I hope the lawsuit is tendered and the County loses big time – the taxpayers will foot the bill but it may stop these bureaucratic zealots from abusing other citizens. Again please e-mail Pam Elias the Head of Code Enforcement ( Pam.Elias@sdcounty.ca.gov ) and tell her what you think of her leadership and her staff’s outrageous actions.
Haven’t heard Daniel, but I’m sure the answer is ‘no.’
Lee – do you live in San Diego County?
If local, state, and federal government followed protocal, it certainly would change the way we “do church” but we would not be in trouble.
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
– The Apostle John, 1 Jn 5.5, TNIV