Are home Bible studies illegal in San Diego? That’s the question many are asking after Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary, who live in San Diego, were told by the county of San Diego they needed to either stop their Bible study or get a costly permit.
For years, the couple has invited friends to their house for weekly Bible study sessions in much the same manner as other Americans have people over for cookouts, family reunions and Tupperware® parties. Because their gathering was religious in nature, according to a Fox News report today, they’ve been told they will have to spend thousands of dollars on the aforementioned permit.
According to several reports, including the 10 News report in the video above, the Jones family will fight the county’s action. I expect they’ll receive a lot of support from across the country, too — and deservedly so!
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UPDATE 5/29/09 at 7:07 p.m. Central: I came across a message from San Diego County Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard which, on its face, makes it appear as if he has the situation under control and freedom of religion will remain intact in that part of Southern California. Take a look at it here and let me know what you think.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Ben // May 29, 2009 at 10:06 am
Has anyone told the county that this is patently unconstitutional as per the 1st amendment?
2 Darren // May 29, 2009 at 12:28 pm
What part of the U.S. Constitution don’t the San Diego officials understand? It’s the constitutional right given to EVERY American “freedom of religion”. PERIOD. They will fight this in Federal court and will win – if not the U.S. Supreme court will over-turn the decision and Pastor Jones will be able to continue. However, the fight will not stop there as San Diego will attempt to come up with other excuses to stop them from gathering. I will say this. San Diego officials MUST be stopped. And we Christians are the ones that have the power to stop them in their tracks. It will be swift.
3 Jon // May 29, 2009 at 2:23 pm
This is sickening and people of ALL faith or none at all should be up in arms to fight this. I will gladly donate to their legal costs. This affects not only Christians but the Jewish that want to hold prayers together in a home, the buddhist that wants to have a fellow buddhist meditate in his living room, a muslim that wants to have friends over for their prayers, and the list goes on and on. This is a slippery slope and people HAVE to stop letting goverment bureaucrats dictate so much of their lives. Wasn’t one of the reasons the pilgrims came to this land was for religious freedom?? Now some pencil pusher in California gets to force people to pay for a permit to have friends over to study the Bible in their own home? Wake up!
4 Sue // May 29, 2009 at 4:34 pm
This is still America isn’t it? We still have a constitution don’t we? Totally outrageous, but I fear only the beginning of more persecution to follow, in particular, to Christians. This country may have been founded in Christian principals, but it is becoming less Christian by the day. In fact, Christians seem to have more restrictions put on us than any other religion or organization out there. Very sad and scary.
5 Pat // May 29, 2009 at 10:16 pm
You folks have a right to be concerned, but you really have it all wrong. Understand, the County must act on a complaint. In the same way that the homeowner has a right to hold a gathering, his neighbors have a right that such gathering not be a nuisence . That is the job of the County; to determine if the activities are such that they are causing a nuisence, whether it be parking, traffic, noise, or otherwise. It makes no difference to the County what activities are being held, as long as it is not creating a nuisence to the neighbors. I am a Christain myself, but I also know when not to use religion as a reason to scream discrimination. I hate it when people do that, whether it be race, religion, or creed. Lets look at the real issue, its not fact that they are holding bible study that is the issue.
6 Pat // May 29, 2009 at 10:27 pm
One other thing. The County codes are written to protect neighbors. Normally the County will not enforce such rules unless there is in fact a complaint. However when they get that complain they must act on it and enforce any rules that are on the books, and carry-out the proceedures, otherwise the discrimination could be considered in favor of those holding the gathering. The County really is in a no-win situation with something like this.
7 Dallas Brown // May 30, 2009 at 6:44 am
Poll tax, anyone? I think that’s the 23rd amendment, or 24th? So, a permit. I can top that. We had to “Procure” door knocking permits in st Louis for a certain “ritzy” municipality in 1977, $250 per day per person! We couldn’t knock those doors at all.
8 Terry Wilson // May 30, 2009 at 10:49 am
The memo sent by the county of San Diego seems typical of government response – written in gov-speak. While disallowing the claim that this is a 1st amendment issue and providing the usual, “If any of our people acted inappropriately, we’ll get to the bottom of that” line (the end of which you will never see or hear about), they are free to move against Pastor Jones for “land use” violations (ie: parking issues).
Never be fooled into thinking that an assault on a 1st amendment issue will be “head on”. Our rights will be chipped away under the guise of parking problems, traffic issues, noise abatement or some other like behavior.
Saw too much of this while working for DHS – same behavior, same result. What is missing from government is plain old common sense – and without that, who can you appeal to?
9 Robert // May 30, 2009 at 5:05 pm
So if you live in San Diego and your family comes over for Christmas gathering are you going to be fined for that? What about Easter? And if not then whats the difference between the holidays and a weekly bible study? Clearly they are not making money on this nor is anyone going after the neighbors for BBQ’s or family gatherings.
10 David C // Jun 1, 2009 at 8:33 pm
So.. If I want to hold a Bible Study, or Wicca ceremony, in the middle of the interstate, at rush hour.. it’s constitutionally protected free speech?
Come on. We have the freedom, up and until it infringes someone elses rights.
If the Bible study is so popular, that the number of cars from attendees is causing a traffic hazard, then… GREAT! But in the spirit of Christ, perhaps move it somewhere with better parking. Show some love to the neighborhood.
11 Nat // Jan 23, 2010 at 11:02 am
I would file a complaint as well. They outgrew their location and were causing problems with parking and traffic congestion to the neighborhood. Time for them to move to a different location.
12 Stephanie // Apr 9, 2010 at 10:05 pm
It seems like the number of cars was the reason for the complaint, not studying the bible. The neighbor should have gone to them personally instead of involving the authorities. Then they could have easily come up with a parking arrangement that worked best for everyone without a huge national blowup.
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