DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
5 comments:
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WOW . . . but Barrie won't back down (has she ever compromised-?).
What an Xmas gift for Wilber now that the mall mess is done.
Ooops. The Bethany folk will have a hard time proving it was religiously motivated:
"The statute goes on to provide: “No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that treats a religious assembly or institution on less than equal terms with a nonreligious assembly or institution.”4"
So, the question becomes, if the Lions Club wanted to use a residential house to hold charity bingo every Monday night, would they get to do so without a variance?
But the City allows churches in shopping centers, so they aren't blocking churches from an area that would be used for any secular purpose.
It looks like Bethany messed up not going for a variance. But this does look politically motivated, given things like the mall, slack given to landlords, and the mayor's apparent hatred for Camden because of having politically involved residents.
I have a question--if I as a private citizen were to hold a Bible Study in my home, and have people bring refreshments, whatever they may be, or even if I wanted to have a potluck, would that be wrong? I also have a huge problem with the statement by Bill Holland that several neighbors had complained anonymously. That smacks of "I don't like it in my neighborhood, and I want to stop it!" This wasn't a college kegger, it was a group of responsible citizens trying to fellowship and have a Bible Study.
I also feel that the Mare and the Flying Monkies had something to do with this too. Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you remember what you are doing to the people at Bethany Lutheran when you are in Church singing those hymns and listening to those sermons.
Anonymous-8:14:
Your both right -- the statute does say that -- and wrong: the part that you quoted is a separate prohibition that does not limit the first part, which states:
"No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that imposes a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person, including a religious assembly or institution, unless the government demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person, assembly, or institution (A) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (B) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest."
That's the law that the church would use in court, not the one that you quoted. Read the entire article that is linked in the post, which points out that this law also states --
(A) The term “religious exercise” includes any exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief.
(B) The use, building or conversion of real property for the purpose of religious exercise shall be considered to be religious exercise.
My guess is that the City will have a "hard time" in court, especially if the episode when Barrie accosted the minister a few years ago is testified. Bill Holland could spill the beans if he is a witness, too.
Kimma, you can hold meetings and bible study in your home, because the primary purpose and use of your home is as a family residence. The single family residence that Bethany owns, is not being used for that purpose. Also, the disturbance to the neighbors is from the rock band that plays there for hours on Saturdays. Just because it's Christian, it doesn't make it any quieter. As for the neighbors complaining anonymously, that's the only safe way to complain in this City, otherwise you end up as somebody's target.
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