May 30, 2009 8:47 AM
Couple ordered to stop holding Bible study
Couple Ordered to Stop Holding Bible Study at Home Without Permit
Thursday , May 28, 2009Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary have been told that they cannot invite friends to their San Diego, Calif. home for a Bible study -- unless they are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars to San Diego County.
"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.
Read entire story here.
Here's an interview with the and their lawyer (and I do think Fox made a big mistake with hiring Carrie Prejean - I don't watch TV news, but if it's come to this, yikes! - but I just wanted you to see the people involved):
Starting a new category here: Christian persecution as I have several items in my Inbox right now.
This is something we want to spread like wildfire across the Internet, so use the button below to share with friends. And don't forget to pray for God's mercy and grace.
Posted in Activism, Christian Persecution, Obama Nation | Permalink
Comments
Hi Barbara,
I'm going to respectfully disagree. This isn't a persecution issue so much as a safety issue. There are parking and zoning codes here in California that residents must comply with for fire-safety and earthquake-safety reasons. I'm all for in-home Bible Studies. But as Christians, we need to proceed mindfully and respectfully of our neighbors and existing community ordinances.
I live in Southern California and it is a densely populated area. If 15 cars showed up every week at the same time in my neighborhood, it would definitely become not a nuisance and a safety issue for other residents.
There is more to this story than Fox News (and Carrie Pre-jean, for Pete's sake!) told us.
I offer my thoughts with the kindest regards.
Thank you.
Elizabeth Esther
Posted by: Elizabeth Esther | May 30, 2009 4:51 PM
According to Broyles, the Joneses' attorney, the code enforcement officer asked a series of pointed questions during her visit with the Joneses – questions such as, “Do you sing?†“Do you say 'amen?' †“Do you say 'praise the Lord?' â€
Those questions don't sound like they are about safety to me.
Posted by: Smockity Frocks | May 30, 2009 9:24 PM
Here is where I got the info about the questions the couple were asked.
Posted by: Smockity Frocks | May 30, 2009 9:31 PM
Elizabeth, I heard that argument before, but it just doesn't make sense under the circumstances. If the problem is parking, noise, or safety, then there's no logical reason to ask if they sing, if they pray, or if they say "Amen." If the neighbors are complaining that the large gathering is causing a nuisance, then why label it a "religious assembly"? Why not simply say, "You are violating such-and-such an ordinance regarding parking / fire safety / etc."?
Posted by: Michelle Potter | May 30, 2009 10:38 PM
Elizabeth, if there is more to the story, then bring it on.
Posted by: Barbara | May 30, 2009 10:39 PM
Hi all! :) Well, if a non-Christian code enforcement officer is trying to figure out whether or not a regularly scheduled religious meeting is happening, then I guess they might bungle the line of questioning. "Do you say Amen?" sounds like a ridiculous questions to most of us, here. But maybe to someone who doesn't use those words in their daily life, it's a legit question.
Was it sort of ridiculous? Sure, I agree that it is. I think it was mishandled from the get go.
But I think mishandling is a far cry from actual persecution.
Just my .02
:)
Posted by: Elizabeth Esther | May 30, 2009 11:13 PM
I don't think Fox hired her - I think they just had her on for one hour Thursday(?) morning to fill in for somebody. I saw another piece of her appearance, and, no, she's definitely not a professional at this... but even many professionals often need a little bit of time to feel comfortable in a new position like that.
Posted by: Katja | May 30, 2009 11:26 PM
Wow, I can't believe this one. It's as if some people go out of their way to be a persecutor of anything they don't believe in. Like the above poster said - these questions don't sound like safety questions. Finally, Fox News broke something halfway decent - in quality that is
Posted by: Eric Ethridge | May 31, 2009 2:14 AM
