A couple is claiming that a San Diego County official has threatened to shut down their home Bible study unless they apply for a permit. Please.
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.'"
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.
Broyles said a few days later the couple received a written warning that listed "unlawful use of land" and told them to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit" -- a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
If this happened (I smell a hoax) there's no way their Bible study will ultimately be stopped. It's ludicrous.
Why do I smell a hoax? Saying "amen" and "praise the Lord" cannot possibly be on any list of questions that the county uses to determine whether or not a religious use permit is required for anything. I just find it hard to believe that any government employee would ask those kinds of questions, even if a permit were legitimately required.
From what I can find out, this is not a hoax. Here is an updated article with the county's response:
http://www.10news.com/news/19595677/detail.html
It looks like they are backtracking a bit, no longer viewing this as a religious assembly issue, but as a parking issue. We'll see.