Thursday, May 28, 2009

California Politics And The Private Bible Study

I've gotten a few emails of late, wondering why I hardly ever post anymore.

I have to be truthful. I'm watching the American Experiment be trashed. I'm watching it be stolen. I'm watching the plane being deliberately flown into the hillside. And there's nothing I can do about it but watch it all go down in real time. And an America, one with the crow totally lodged in their throats, is ordering more crow in a take home container.

Such is why I just cannot muster enough motivation to vary my posts with chaff and oatmeal filler about Twitter, MySpace, or anything else that relfects an apostolic alumni better versed on Brad and Angelina than on an apologetic defence against secularism and its negative darwinistic theology. It's all going to burn. And to try and wrench some redeemable quality from any of it feels about like trying to throw helium down a hallway.

And on that note, I do have this fine bit of love, peace, and tolerance from those peace-loving, southern-Californians:

SAN DIEGO -- A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home, 10News reported.

Attorney Dean Broyles of The Western Center For Law & Policy was shocked with what happened to the pastor and his wife.

Broyles said, "The county asked, 'Do you have a regular meeting in your home?' She said, 'Yes.' 'Do you say amen?' 'Yes.' 'Do you pray?' 'Yes.' 'Do you say praise the Lord?' 'Yes.'"


Me too. I am shocked. SHOCKED that the same culture that celebrates The DaVinci Code would take umbrage with a group of people that didn't. This little confrontation is of course explained in the most pedestrian of terms by the local government:
The county employee notified the couple that the small Bible study, with an average of 15 people attending, was in violation of County regulations, according to Broyles.
So was Tiennemen Square. Nothing to see here folks. Move along.

-R

6 comments:

John said...

It seems that a few things have change in the week or so after this happened.

First the county is not forcing a permit on them.

15 people look to be more like 20+ but the neighbor reported 30-40 cars and the ordinance is about parking and traffic.

Full story at this link:
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/30/1n30bible00100-county-wont-force-permit-bible-stud/

John said...

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/30/1n30bible00100-county-wont-force-permit-bible-stud/

aahrens said...

Ron -
I have missed your posts - good to see you again. Yeah, crow HAS to be getting old by now - or maybe not.

The first thing that came to mind on the Bibl study group was the parking/traffic issue, but one HAS to wonder if there wasn't a hidden agenda. Hmmmm...

AA

brian said...

Hey Ron,
Just wanted you to know that I miss your posts too. Don't be weary in well doing my friend, in due season you shall reap if you faint not!

Doofus said...

John,

Unfortunately the questions about goings on in the house do not reflect a traffic concern. Of course, when Matt Drudge decided to cover it and explode it to the national level, I expect those in charge to retreat to a posture of "concern for acculsions." Otherwise they are exposed for what they are.

-R

John said...

Here is the ordinance:

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/zoning/z7000.pdf

The pertinent parts are 7350-7399 mostly 7350, 7352 and 7355 which are on p32-34 of the PDF.

The jurisdiction is different for religious groups, mobile home parks and a few other groups.

The ordinance dates to at lest the late 1970's

The intent of the ordinance rely seems to be traffic and other problems. But the officer was acting like a jerk.

"7350 INTENT AND PURPOSE.
The provisions of Section 7350 through Section 7399 shall be known as the Use Permit
Procedure. A use permit may be granted to provide for the accommodation of land uses with
special site or design requirements, operating characteristics, or potential adverse effects on
surroundings, through review and, where necessary, the imposition of special conditions of
approval."