Originally Posted By Mr X <a href="http://www.kpho.com/news/22832173/detail.html" target="_blank">http://www.kpho.com/news/22832...ail.html</a> ***Seven adults and our children rotated homes several times a week for Bible Study, singing and fellowship, but a sign they placed on the road to advertise a Sunday service caught the eye of a Gilbert code compliance officer, who hit the church with a code violation.*** ***In a follow-up correspondence with the Gilbert zoning administrator, the church said they were informed that "the assembly activities associated with the church -- including Bible studies, church leadership meetings, and church fellowship activities -- are not permitted" in a private home.*** In a move sure to shock some of my worthy opponents here, I'm going to go ahead and side with the church-folk on this one. Clearly a violation of the first amendment for starters (as the article illustrates), and beyond that I can't believe they would harass a small group of seven (plus kids) for doing whatever they want to in the privacy of their own homes. Does this town ban cub scout meetings and bridge clubs too?
Originally Posted By DonnyAZ Yeah this has been in the news here I Arizona.It started out a signage violation and then a zoneing officer decided to write them what ever he could.The town is really looking stupid right now.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << In a move sure to shock some of my worthy opponents here, I'm going to go ahead and side with the church-folk on this one. >> I think I have to agree, X. My reasons for siding with the church-folk are a bit different, though. During the real estate bubble, Arizona was one of the worst offenders for zoning boards and city councils allowing development and sprawl to be barfed up all across the Phoenix desert. They caved in to every developer whim. Their actions were irresponsible and entirely motivated by greed. If they really believed fundamentally in zoning laws and restrictions, they would have enacted them years ago to avoid the massive real estate bust that is going on there now.
Originally Posted By DonnyAZ Yeah the house out here are poorly built and high priced.It's the perfect recipe for a Slum state in the next 10 years.
Originally Posted By mele Ridiculous! That seems to directly contradict the Constitution in that it prohibits the free exercise thereof and the right to peacefully assemble. Pretty sickening.
Originally Posted By ecdc Watch how quickly overzealous zoning enforcement is rebranded anti-Christian crusading. These people are idiots.
Originally Posted By Labuda So, how long until an appeals court smacks down the state of Arizona for this gross misstep?
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, not the entire stat of Arizona - just this town needs the smack-down for this, I guess.
