San Juan Capistrano Adopts Changes To Shield Home Bible Studies
City officials in San Juan Capistrano have taken steps to prevent future conflicts after sparking national outrage for fining and threatening a home Bible study group.
The City Council voted unanimously late Tuesday night to adopt changes to its zoning code after lawyers from the Pacific Justice Institute went to court earlier this year to defend Chuck and Stephanie Fromm, who were fined $300 last November for holding “a regular gathering of more than three people”.
The city ultimately reversed course and refunded the fines it had levied against the family, and now seeks to amend its municipal code in cooperation with the Fromm family to find a solution....
Jim, I was commenting on the motive behind the action of a city's move to exempt a bible study group from a ruling that they didn't have a right to make in the first place. Their motive was to save face after they were taken to court. It was never within city authority to fine the couple for holding the studies in their home to begin with, so I didn't find their action to give back the fine and "allow" them to continue, as something deserving of any commendation. Actually, the city should have been fined imo.
Mike I have often speculated on the reasoning behind an action, an action I don't support.
For example, home schooling, Nebraska has a quite liberal policy about it, NET: Home School Nebraska, and I pointed out Sweden was wrong. However, since Europe is getting so many Muslims, I pointed out that Germany especially see home schooling Muslims as a threat to Western culture, but still have to be even handed they stomp on conservative Christians.
So, I was speculating on motives for actions, not condoning the actions themselves.
Jim Lincoln wrote: --- It's good that this city has exempted religious meetings of 50 or less people from their permit structure.
Big of them, considering they have no authority to require a bible study group to get permission to meet. I thought you were big on separation of church and state, Jim.