This news story is one that is causing alot of people to scratch their heads and wonder exactly what is going on. A pastor and his wife were having a bible study with a small group of friends on Good Friday, in their own home when an official from the county stopped by. The official, allegedlyasked them a series of questions regarding whether they prayed, said amen, and ,whether they said praise the Lord during the gathering.
The pastor, David Jones and his wife Mary, were allegedly told that they were conducting an unlawful use of land as they were having a religious assembly that was a violation of code. They were told to stop violating the code or to apply for a major use permit. This permit can cost many thousands of dollars; of course it would allow for them to continue having their small group of 15 friends or less over to study the bible. Remember, this was in their own home.
Is this code, that the pastor and his wife were allegedly violating, enforced when someone has a baby shower in their home with more than 15 guests? Or when people gather together with friends to watch the Super Bowl or American Idol? Will those people be forced to obtain a major use permit?
What about you; where you live could this happen to you? Should government officials be allowed to ban such gatherings in regards to religious freedom, in private residences,, unless people pay them large sums of money? What are your thoughts?
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Be glad you do not live in San Diego County.
This is one of the most repressive, backwards, County bureaucracies in the USA. They have had the attitude exhibited in this outrageous incident – for decades. They have no respect for property rights or the Constitution (but that’s a growing problem in the USA – another story).
Please e-mail County Supervisor Chair Greg Cox greg.cox@sdcounty.ca.gov and tell him what you think of Pam Elias’ (Head of Code Enforcement) judgment and performance. And you can e-mail her your regards directly at pam.elias@sdcounty.ca.gov
I hope for the sake of Religious Freedom in the USA, that this goes to court and the County gets assessed huge court fees and damages for their Nazi-like actions. Too bad the tax payers will foot the real bill on this and not the bureaucratic zealots.