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In New America Tupperware, Mary Kay are OK but Bible Studies are out.

San Diego County officials are threatening a local pastor and his wife with escalating fines if they continue to hold Bible studies in their home. According to a San Diego official the couple must secure a major permit, a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars, or stop their “religious assembly.”

San Diego county officials somehow found out that the couple were holding Bible studies consisting of 10 to 15 people in their home every week. According to the officials this was a violation of County regulation. A County official visited the home and asked the couple questions like, ‘Do you have a regular meeting in your home?’ and ‘ Do you say amen?’

The couple understands that churches and religious assemblies have parking concerns and an environmental impact when hundreds or thousands of people gather. But this is a different situation and the application of the religious assembly principles to a small home Bible study is certainly misplaced.

The couple is fighting back, drafting a demand letter to the county stating that by enforcing this regulation the County is violating their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion. I wonder if the County is cracking down on illegal Tupperware and Mary Kay meetings in San Diego? People who gather for poker parties or to watch a Chargers game on TV had better be scrambling to get their major use permits before the County pays them a visit. But of course they have nothing to fear for this is nothing more that a direct attack on Christianity. As far as I know there is no requirement to obtain a major use permit for those types of meetings, apparently it only applies to Bible study meetings.

I hope that if the County does not back down the couple will consider a lawsuit in federal court. The sad thing is that the couple should not have to spend their money defending themselves from such outrageous behavior by the County. This is just one more reason why people are leaving California faster than people are moving in.

Unfortunately this type of behavior is widespread. This is clearly a case of Christians being specifically targeted because of their faith and beliefs. To disguise it as simply enforcing County regulations is outrageous. The citizens of San Diego should flood city hall and express their outrage at this travesty of justice.

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