California Couple Fined for Holding In-Home Bible Studies
Christian Couple in California Fined for Hosting Regualr Bible Study Groups in Their Own Home
Recently I reported on a new law pending in California which would make using flat bed sheets illegal in hotels. I thought that was ridiculous... until I saw this story about a California couple fined hundreds of dollars for holding a small Bible study for friends in the privacy of their home:
City officials in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. have fined a southern California couple $300 for holding Bible studies in their home. Chuck and Stephanie Fromm are in violation of a code which prohibits "religious, fraternal or non-profit" organizations in residential neighborhoods without a costly permit, and the couple might have to pay another $500 for each additional gathering. Conditional Use Permits in residential areas can run as high as hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the Pacific Justice Institute.
San Juan Capistrano's Catholic Mission
You have probably heard of the city where this is taking place. San Juan Capistrano is famous for its historic 234-year-old Catholic mission. That would seem like an ideal place for someone like Chuck Fromm, publisher of Worship Leader Magazine. to run his business and to host some quiet, private Bible studies in the privacy of his own home.
Capistrano Municipal Code Restrictions
However, the Fromm's citations indicate the couple violated section 9-3.301 of the Capistrano Municipal Code, which prohibits "religious, fraternal or non-profit" organizations in residential neighborhoods without a conditional-use permit. The code restrictions apply to: "churches, temples, synagogues, monasteries, religious retreats, and other places of religious worship and other fraternal and community service organizations."
Questions Raised by Restrictions
The case raises some obvious questions about the alleged problem with holding a Bible study in the privacy of your own home:
- Is the House Too Small? -- According to an article in the Capistrano Dispatch, the Fromm home is in a neighborhood with large homes, and the Fromms easily accommodate about 20 - 50 guests each time in their 4,700-square-foot home.
- Are the Fromms Starting a Church in Their Home? The Fromm Bible study is not part of any particular church, nor are they seeking to establish a church in their home.
- Is Bible Study Parking Blocking Traffic or Causing a Neighborhood Problem? -- The Fromm property accommodates a corral, barn, pool, huge back lawn, and plenty of parking, so parking is not a problem, according to the Dispatch.
- Are the Gatherings Loud? -- Not only is the property large enough to protect neighbors from any potential noise, but there is no live music or singing at the Fromm Bible studies. "It's meditative," Stephanie Fromm told the Dispatch.
- How Many People Require a Permit? -- According to the Pacific Justice Institute, a hearing officer told Fromm that regular gatherings of more than three people require a conditional use permit.
The Pacific Justice Institute is defending the couple. Brad Dacus, president of the Institute, made the following statement:
"Imposing a heavy-handed permit requirement on a home Bible study is outrageous. In a city so rich with religious history and tradition, this is particularly egregious. An informal gathering in a home cannot be treated with suspicion by the government, or worse than any other gathering of friends, just because it is religious. We cannot allow this to happen in America, and we will fight as long and as hard as it takes to restore this group's religious freedom."
Published by Kathryn E. Darden
An author, poet, publisher, publicist & skincare consultant, I have written for publications including CCM Magazine, The Tennessean, Barbie Bazaar Magazine, Christian Activities & several local newspapers.... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentRonald, I have had church parties at my house where more than 50 people attended and had to park along the street, and before that I lived in a condo where I used to have church singles parties and again, more than 50 people would attend and park around the condo complex. While I didn't have these parties as often as every week, I also didn't live in a large, rural setting with plenty of parking around my home like the Fromms. However, there were NEVER 50 cars as typically people come TOGETHER, at least in 2s, so even with 50 people, you are only talking about 20-something cars which is not that much for a large, rural property to accommodate. But that's sort of beside the point. This is America! We do have the right to gather with friends, family, and neighbors in our HOMES! It is against the law to block someone's driveway, or to park in front of a hydrant, etc. so there are some laws as to where people can park as well as noise restrictions in some areas, and there might be some regulations about fire safety in having too large a gathering crammed into a small house where it might be hard to get out in case of fire -- I don't know this to be true, but I am trying to think possible legal restrictions here, but other than that, if I want to entertain my friends, my church group, my family and my neighbors in my home which I paid money to own and pay taxes annually on -- that is MY RIGHT as an American. This isn't communist Russia.
In another post I read there were over 50 people attending and meetings were taking place 4 times a week. Also it was causing parking problems for neighbors. In another post I read the area was not widely populated so there should not have been parking problems. We never know if we are getting all the facts and what is slanted.
From what I read, at least one neighbor had "made some comments." If I had to guess, I would imagine they cordially let their neighbors know they were invited to attend, and someone took offense and made a Big Stink over it.
How did they know they were having BIBLE STUDY. Did someone tell? HOMELAND SECURITY? I am curious how the city officials found out. AND why In AMERICA The country I fought and was willing to die for is try to force and fine what people do in the PRIVACY of their own home. This is #$%$ I used to live in california and moved out of there because of stupid #$%$ like this. I am going to call tomorrow and complain to the city officials who voted for this stupid law. ITS UNCONSTITUTIONAL Which SUPERSEDES ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS. WAKE UP AMERICA they(BIG CORP AMERCIA and the ELITE BUILDBERBURG GROUP) LOVE TAKING AWAY YOUR RIGHTS. LOOK at the PATRIOT ACT. Wake before we have to have another civil war over FREEDOM. The CREATORS of the CONSTITUTION warned us about such things that is why they left the RIGHT TO KEEP AN BARE ARMS to reclaim any CORRUPT GOVT #$%$ LIKE THIS. WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE
This is too much, I think our governments, federal and state have crossed the line, actually a very long time ago. This is a private residence and anything they do in the privacy of their own home shouldn't be anyone elses business, weather it be a bible study, superbowl party, tupperware party, or to just smoke a joint in the privacy of your own home, none of the things mentioned above hurt or effect anyone else in any way, the government does not belong in our homes, if they can enforce this law, then we truly have no right to privacy any longer and that means that this is NOT a free country.