A man in Phoenix who has been arrested, sentenced to 60 days jail time and fined for HOLDING BIBLE STUDIES ON HIS OWN PROPERTY.
In 2008, neighbors complained that Michael Salman was hosting bible studies in his backyard. He was cited by the city of Phoenix.
They say it was a "violation of Phoenix’s zoning, building, fire and safety code". The authorities said that he was considered a "church" if he had more than 12 people together for the bible study. As a church, he lacked the appropriate licensing and zoning requirements and was therefore guilty.
The court ordered:
sixty days of jail time
3 years of probation
$12,000 fine
and he's unable to host more than 12 people in his home.
Salmans' bible study was private (not open to the public) and didn't take donations like a church would.
By the way, zoning, laws and most other so-called "health and safety" ordinances that control churches are a sham, a guise, a ruse, because other groups, organizations that meet in the same situations are not always under those laws. Government buildings, among others, are not required to meet the "health and safety" codes that are forced on some churches. These codes are not administered in the the same way for all churches or for other religious groups.
Two areas of ignorance manifest themselves in these situations:
In 2008, neighbors complained that Michael Salman was hosting bible studies in his backyard. He was cited by the city of Phoenix.
They say it was a "violation of Phoenix’s zoning, building, fire and safety code". The authorities said that he was considered a "church" if he had more than 12 people together for the bible study. As a church, he lacked the appropriate licensing and zoning requirements and was therefore guilty.
The court ordered:
sixty days of jail time
3 years of probation
$12,000 fine
and he's unable to host more than 12 people in his home.
Salmans' bible study was private (not open to the public) and didn't take donations like a church would.
By the way, zoning, laws and most other so-called "health and safety" ordinances that control churches are a sham, a guise, a ruse, because other groups, organizations that meet in the same situations are not always under those laws. Government buildings, among others, are not required to meet the "health and safety" codes that are forced on some churches. These codes are not administered in the the same way for all churches or for other religious groups.
Two areas of ignorance manifest themselves in these situations:
1- An understanding of Biblical Christianity and the Lordship of Christ over His Church and His people, and
2- The history of this country and the separation of Church and State.
Pretty much, when a person sides with the State against the Christian or the church in this country, it is because they don't understand the issues or they do not understand the Lordship of Christ.
It is not a matter of safety and health or reasonable compliance, it is a matter of State control of Christian life and ministry.
Pretty much, when a person sides with the State against the Christian or the church in this country, it is because they don't understand the issues or they do not understand the Lordship of Christ.
It is not a matter of safety and health or reasonable compliance, it is a matter of State control of Christian life and ministry.
