Is having home bible study illegal against our constitutional rights?

by **boynton35** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:24 am

There are some areas in the United States that are making home bible studies illegal. It sounds ridiculous considering this country's known freedom. It's also ridiculous that there are laws out there made that are really stupid and useless and laws not made that would help and save.

Basically it is illegal in Orange County to have home bible studies of more than 3 persons without a permit... because any more would be considered a church... which needs permit, taxes, right structural, codes, etc...

this is really stupid because i can name a few things that have gatherings but doesn't require a permit...

1) movies: so if i have more than half a dozen or so friends over my house to watch a movie..I need a permit? Because i need to consider and confirm the safety of the guests and structure of the building like designs, and ventilation, sanitary, etc.. Having whatever amount # of people makes this like a movie theater: law..
2) sleepover: same as previous. except now this is like a motel.. depending on how many people sleeps over... how big my house is.. so permit?
3) tutoring: my friends and I need help on a subject so I ask an adult friend to help us... Now it has become a tutoring center..
4) youtube/ work: youtubers of partners making and editing videos at a home... is that now a studio or some work place...
5) family gatherings/ general parties: I have a big family, or many friends over for holdiay celebration or just a party... now that is okay... but having more than 3 people to just come together to share and learn is illegal.

* note that in order to become a motel or theater, you need lots of people... probably hundreds.. that makes since right? BUT this home bible study is only 4 persons and over... what the heck..

by **larenzo** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:26 am

CBS reported on this. It has to do with any consistent gatherings with three or more people. It's not illegal to have a bible study, it's illegal to have a gathering of three or more people that meet consistently. The only thing that can be argued is why aren't any other meetings, of which there are many, being fined as well? That is what is truly offensive. This isn't only an attack on Christianity, it's an attack on personal Liberty. When one can't even have reasonably sized gatherings of people on their own property, then it's tyranny not supposed "justice".

by **chansomps** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:30 am

I am not buying this. It sounds like some garbage that came off a conspiracy website.

by oz » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:32 am

I am not buying this. It sounds like some garbage that came off a conspiracy website.

I don't believe you unless you will first cite a law, code, or ordinance.

I might look into it myself normally, however, you claim it needs taxes, and churches are tax-exempt, so I won't believe you or checking your claim unless you at least cite some source. Churches don't require a rite structure either.

by **victorio83** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:34 am

I am not buying this. It sounds like some garbage that came off a conspiracy website.

I don't believe you unless you will first cite a law, code, or ordinance.

I might look into it myself normally, however, you claim it needs taxes, and churches are tax-exempt, so I won't believe you or checking your claim unless you at least cite some source. Churches don't require a rite structure either.

If you have ever looked at how local politics works it is one giant cesspool wherever you are. Mayor wants crimes to go down, and he/she does not want to pay for it, It is the same in just about every town. I found this story with a simple Google search and linked to it below.

The article does not give a link to the ordinance so I cannot see how it is written but I think the first part of the comment from the defendants lawyer is right, they want to have a fee paid. I am guessing the neighbors complained about all of the visitors their. I bet the quote from the city lawyer is correct as well.

As for your hypothetical questions if any of those things happen every week/twice a week and will have 50 people, or so, attending/over/sleeping yes you might have to have a permit. For the first one you might even have to get permission to show the movie from the copy right holders for a group that size I do not know the law well enough to say.

by **garbhach65** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:36 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjJrmWbHM2I&sns=fb

You guys want proof?? Here it is. I hope this opens your eyes.

by **leland** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:45 am

well, if you were all in your underwear then that would be fine.

by **iker** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:50 am

This was actually on the news. A family who had weekly home Bible studies talked about how they were given a $300 citation for having one in their home. It's absolutely ridiculous. I would like someone to explain to me why protesting funerals are legal due to freedom of speech but home Bible studies are now illegal? Well, illegal if you can't afford the high prices of permits and everything else that's necessary.

by **roche** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:51 am

Please provide some proof for your claim about Orange County.

by **arne33** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:55 am

While the case is true, I didn't research to see how the lawsuit panned out.

Google San Juan Capistrano bans bible study.

I think the city's issue is the REGULARITY of the meetings. One would have to wonder at what point it does become a church.

On the other hand, the city is going to be hard pressed to defend itself in a lawsuit like this, and I do mean HARD PRESSED.

Your title is misleading, the city is saying that the regularity and size of the gatherings is what brought on the fines, it is a coincidence that it happened to be a bible study.

The city is in NO way saying that it is illegal to have a "bible study", that was never said, nor was it even mentioned in the citations that were issued to the family.

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