Christianity Oasis Forum

[phantomfaith]

Couple Ordered to Stop Holding Bible Study at Home Without Permit
Thursday, May 28, 2009 Fox News

Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary have been told that they cannot invite friends to their San Diego, Calif. home for a Bible study  unless they are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars to San Diego County.

"On Good Friday we had an employee from San Diego County come to our house, and inform us that the Bible study that we were having was a religious assembly, and in violation of the code in the county." David Jones told FOX News.

"We told them this is not really a religious assembly  this is just a Bible study with friends. We have a meal, we pray, that was all," Jones said.

A few days later, the couple received a written warning that cited "unlawful use of land," ordering them to either "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit," the couple's attorney Dean Broyles told San Diego news station 10News.

But the major use permit could cost the Jones' thousands of dollars just to have a few friends over.

For David and Mary Jones, it's about more than a question of money.

"The government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion," Broyles told FOX News. "I believe that our Founding Fathers would roll over in their grave if they saw that here in the year 2009, a pastor and his wife are being told that they cannot hold a simple Bible study in their own home."

"The implications are great because it's not only us that's involved," Mary Jones said. "There are thousands and thousands of Bible studies that are held all across the country. What we're interested in is setting a precedent here  before it goes any further  and that we have it settled for the future."

The couple is planning to dispute the county's order this week.

If San Diego County refuses to allow the pastor and his wife to continue gathering without acquiring a permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.

[Sassy3]

When I read that article last week, I prayed that it was a hoax or a terrible mis-reporting of the news.

This is such a dangerous situation! For it to be happening right here in America, where our country was founded on Christian principles, including the freedom to worship, gives us insight into just how far our country has drifted off the Christian path and is now following the devil.

We must pray for the leaders of our country, beginning the President
and going all the way down the list. These leaders MUST turn to the LORD, seek HIS guidance and then follower it. We as Christians must remain constant in our prayers and in the ways we live our daily lives.

May the LORD continue to give us grace and mercy.


sassy3

[dubya]

Amen Sassy Amen

[Dora]

Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.
Help us Lord Jesus