Home Bible Study Results in Fines
A Changing America
Hebrews 10:25, "Let us not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
This article should make you shudder. When I read some of the things that are happening in America these days, I begin to wonder why we stand idly by and let them take our freedoms away. As an American, I believe we have a freedom to live, to worship and to freely gather inside the comfort of our own home.
Home is where the heart is. If you have a heart for the Lord and want to invite others to share in your home bible studies, think twice before doing it in California. Recently, a couple was fined $300 by the City of San Juan Capistrano for violating a city ordinance by having people over to their house to read and study the bible.
The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) is a religious non-profit and quickly came to the aid of the couple. Charles and Stephanie Fromm were inviting folks to gather at their home twice weekly to study the bible. It sounds harmless enough but the City of San Juan Capistrano wants it to end.
The spokesperson for the City said they were not prohibiting religious freedoms but that the Fromms had become a regular gathering place and cited that there was an impact on the residential area. The Fromms beg to differ and say that they life in a semi-rural area.
This isn't the first time that home bible study has resulted in trouble with the law. In 2009, a local pastor and his wife claimed they were interrogated by a San Diego County police. The official then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home.
Let's remove the bible from the picture. What if you were just in the habit of having friends over to your home every week? I wonder if this would result in the same harassment by local law enforcement in California because what's the sense in owning a home if you are not free to invite people over.
This is another sad news story about the changes in our America and I wonder what our Founding Fathers would be thinking of this.
Sources:
http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=ee2279ed-93c1-440c-b8e9-72594886f8ad
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/21/california-couple-fined-300-for-holding-home-bible-studies/
Published by Michele Starkey
Optimist who enjoys writing, laughing and spreading good news. If I have but one life to live, I hope to make mine memorable. My epitaph will read: she lived, she loved, she left. View profile
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41 Comments
Post a CommentMichele, I think this is just the tip of the iceberg of what's really going on right under our noses. And the real tragedy is most good hearted people are totally oblivious! Thank you for shedding light on this growing problem.
To many people want to construe "freedom OF religion" as meaning "freedom FROM religion." This is another reason why we need to un-elect our current government officials and replace them with people who will respond to the will of those who elect them.
this is so sad and so intrusive, this is a case of the government going to far
And we have one in our home.
It is outrageous. When our rights are all gone, those that never used them will be the ones that cry the loudest. But then it will be too late. They almost put us in jail for passing out tracks to people as they passed by. So we had to start sneeking. well done.
How terrible. It is a shame you can't have freedom in your own home even if you weren't disturbing anyone. Good reporting.
Even though I am not a very religious person, I find this to be pretty sad, as well!
Yes that is a sad story. Thanks for sharing.
This form of persecution begins to speak to the problem Christians have faced since antiquity. We must find legal ways to prevent such violations of freedom to peaceably assemble, which is at the heart of the problem. It seems there are many who hate God and Jesus. We were warned about it and we are challenged to continue in our faith. Maybe we need a Bible study here at this ranch!
Such a thought provoking piece to ponder upon. Thanks for sharing this one.