Couple told they can't have a Bible Study in their home

[Ranger12]

Well, it looks like the local governments are taking their cue from the federal government and already spitting on the Constituion:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,522637,00.html

Pastor 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.

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.

But the major use permit could cost the Jones' thousands of dollars just to have a few friends over.

For David and Mary Jones, it's about more than a question of money.

"The government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion," Broyles told FOX News. "I believe that our Founding Fathers would roll over in their grave if they saw that here in the year 2009, a pastor and his wife are being told that they cannot hold a simple bible study in their own home."

"The implications are great because it’s not only us that’s involved," Mary Jones said. "There are thousands and thousands of bible studies that are held all across the country. What we’re interested in is setting a precedent here — before it goes any further — and that we have it settled for the future."

The couple is planning to dispute the county's order this week.

If San Diego County refuses to allow the pastor and his wife to continue gathering without acquiring a permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.

[Saniflush]

Well, it looks like the local governments are taking their cue from the federal government and already spitting on the Constituion:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,522637,00.html

I liked it here as well.

http://www.tigersx.com/forum/index.php?topic=5737.0

[Ranger12]

Sorry. I only scanned the topic titles before I posted. My bad.

[Snaggletiger]

Dagflammit Ranger...post more often.  Pay attention, boy!!!

[Ranger12]

Bro, my attention span is fried. Ever since February, when my 11 year old son decided it was time to leave his mom's nest and come live with dear old dad, I have had to learn to be a full time, 24/7 dad all over again, something I have not had to do since he was 2. It has been a bigger adjustment then I thought it would be for Monica and I.

So, since he is with me the majority of the time now, I figure I need to try to be a better role model, which means I probably need to not hang out with you heathens as much. Plus, baseball season is in full swing, so I have been spending my time as "Coach Craig" the last few months.

I thought it may have just been my boy, but while coaching this team I have discovered that apparently most 11 and 12 year old boys are a bunch of smartasses. Many of them seem to be a little softer then I remember us being at that age. Me and the guys I coach with have concluded that it seems to have something to do with moms apparently not weening them of their tit yet.

[Tarheel]

Is anyone else thinking beyond "religious rights" on this issue, such as the right to assemble peaceably?  Lawyers on board, help me out with this here, is the county coming in and telling the people that they can't have a bible study or watch a ballgame or whatever and calling it "unlawful use of land" not infringing on their 1st amendment right or am I way out in left field here?  If they were peaceably assembling.

The city/county/etc has the right (subject to some restriction, of course) to prescribe the uses to which property can be put.  That said, I think they'll have a hard time justifying this.

I'm of the same mindset as AUTiger1 on this to a certain extent but I also get the impression that we're just not getting the whole story here.  People meet in homes across the country all the time for bible study groups and you never hear about officials having this seemingly draconian reaction.  I wonder if this is not the small bible study group (say, for example 20) that this article implies or rather a much bigger crowd of people (say, for example 50 plus...with their cars).  

I'm just playing the devil's advocate (ironically) from my own experiences here but I don't complain about my neighbors having bible studies or church groups at their houses (which they do on occasion) until they start to block and/or park in my driveway without permission (which, now, they don't after I said something to my neighbor...not city or county officials...about it).

Anyway, my point is that there may be more to this story than what's reported here.

[AUTiger1]

I'm of the same mindset as AUTiger1 on this to a certain extent but I also get the impression that we're just not getting the whole story here.  People meet in homes across the country all the time for bible study groups and you never hear about officials having this seemingly draconian reaction.  I wonder if this is not the small bible study group (say, for example 20) that this article implies or rather a much bigger crowd of people (say, for example 50 plus...with their cars). 

I'm just playing the devil's advocate (ironically) from my own experiences here but I don't complain about my neighbors having bible studies or church groups at their houses (which they do on occasion) until they start to block and/or park in my driveway without permission (which, now, they don't after I said something to my neighbor...not city or county officials...about it).

Anyway, my point is that there may be more to this story than what's reported here.

I would also like to hear the other side of the story.  I have been talking to friends about this through e-mail.  One is inclined to side with the county over this, stating how bad it pisses him off for people to be parked out on the street.  I can see that, if it is a congested street.  It is and can be a pain in the ass.  There are parties in my neighborhood all the time, as long as they are parked in the street, not on my yard, or blocking my driveway then more power to them.  I am pretty tolerant for the most part, and I would say something to my neighbors before calling teh police on them.  That's just how I operate.

[Tarheel]

I would also like to hear the other side of the story.  I have been talking to friends about this through e-mail.  One is inclined to side with the county over this, stating how bad it pisses him off for people to be parked out on the street.  I can see that, if it is a congested street.  It is and can be a pain in the ass.  There are parties in my neighborhood all the time, as long as they are parked in the street, not on my yard, or blocking my driveway then more power to them.  I am pretty tolerant for the most part, and I would say something to my neighbors before calling teh police on them.  That's just how I operate.

I'm just a grumpy old man, I reckon.  I hate uninvited folk parking in my driveway, blocking it, parking in front of my house and/or on the sidewalk and/or on the grass.  But I wouldn't call teh police; haven't had to yet anyway; unless it gets out of hand.  Usually a friendly grouse at the offending party corrects the problem...a "Get the fuck out of my driveway!" works most times.

[Pell City Tiger]

Bro, my attention span is fried. Ever since February, when my 11 year old son decided it was time to leave his mom's nest and come live with dear old dad, I have had to learn to be a full time, 24/7 dad all over again, something I have not had to do since he was 2. It has been a bigger adjustment then I thought it would be for Monica and I.

So, since he is with me the majority of the time now, I figure I need to try to be a better role model.....

Best way to deal with boys is to deliver a well placed backhand to the back of their head at least once per day. They'll always ask, "Jeez Dad, what was that for?" They'll understand in time.

[Ranger12]

Best way to deal with boys is to deliver a well placed backhand to the back of their head at least once per day. They'll always ask, "Jeez Dad, what was that for?" They'll understand in time.

Oh yeah, I have already learned to be preemptive when it comes to that. I also discovered that an 11 year old boy is free labor. Working in the garden, taking out the trash, mowing the yard, etc. has become much easier for me now. Even Monica has discovered that having her stepson around all the time means she does not have to be the one to clean out the dishwasher and fold the bath towels all the time.

I just wish I could smack the back of the head of some of the boys on this 11/12 year old team I am coaching. I miss coaching American Legion baseball. At least those guys had to try out for the team just like they did for their high school teams, and if they became a problem there was nothing mom or dad could do for them if I told them to hit the road. I rarely had a problem from them because they knew that one of the guys I had cut was ready to take their place.

[Pell City Tiger]

Even Monica has discovered that having her stepson around all the time means she does not have to be the one to clean out the dishwasher and fold the bath towels all the time

Smack him around, but don't turn him into a wussy.

Tell Monica to clean out the dishwasher and fold the damn towels herself. When you do this, come back and tell us how it went.

[AUTiger1]

Smack him around, but don't turn him into a wussy.

Tell Monica to clean out the dishwasher and fold the damn towels herself. When you do this, come back and tell us how it went.

For some reason I have a feeling that it won't go well.

[AUTiger1]

I'm just a grumpy old man, I reckon.  I hate uninvited folk parking in my driveway, blocking it, parking in front of my house and/or on the sidewalk and/or on the grass.  But I wouldn't call teh police; haven't had to yet anyway; unless it gets out of hand.  Usually a friendly grouse at the offending party corrects the problem...a "Get the fuck out of my driveway!" works most times.

It does and there are other ways of being sneaky getting back at your neighbors as well.   :thumbsup:

[Tiger Wench]

See update to original story:

http://www.tigersx.com/forum/index.php?topic=5737.msg67849#msg67849

[Ranger12]

Smack him around, but don't turn him into a wussy.

Tell Monica to clean out the dishwasher and fold the damn towels herself. When you do this, come back and tell us how it went.

Yeah, that went real well. She immediately stopped what she was doing and thanked me for reminded her of her place in our marriage. I told her I better never have to do it again.