BellaOnline Forums Family Christian Living Pastor arrested for holding a bible study

This sounds like it would be in Iran - it's in Arizona

Arrested for in home bible study

Unfortunately, Christians are in an age of persecution and common sense is gone.

Let me clarify: I absolutely believe that Christians should obey the law - even the intrusive ones. I just wonder what the motive was for whoever made the complaint.

Lynne, very true about obeying the law, but why did they even pass a law like that? Usually Bible Studies are small groups that get together. Unless he had a huge group of people at his home at that time that annoyed neighbors due to parking issues, etc. a law like that might prohibit anyone getting together to have a Bible study or even discussion. Of course, there is always another side or two of the story. At the rate we are going we will be prohibited from anything religious unless you are in church.

I reread the article and it says he has studies continuously - I would think it depends on how many people are attending.

Lynne, we had a House Church that met twice a month for many years. It was a great source of support and a place to dialogue about religion and the world in general. Sometimes we had 6 people, and at other times we had 20. I think that if the city had tried to stop our Seekers House Church that they would have had a lawsuit on their hands. Lynda and Van's house was fine for our needs, and it was safe.

If a meeting is so large that it is a danger to those involved, they should find a different place to meet. If participants' cars make life difficult for the neighbors, they need to be aware and carpool. If the meeting isn't making life unsafe in the neighborhood or for the participants in the meeting venue, the city should stay out of it. I am with you; why would you pass such a law?

Connie, that is like my Bible Study group - there are between 5 and 8 people who meet once a week for two or so hours. Some carpool and some don't but we are respectful of our neighbors. I guess we don't know the whole story about this man but as you say, why would you pass such a law.

This was on another forum so I can't verify if it's true. Also there was a comment that his property was 4 acres so disturbing the neighbors wouldn't be the problem. Still - a dozen officers? Maybe they were expecting a Waco situation?

"If it was a matter of just holding a bible study in his home or even his barn I'd side with him. But in this case, he bought the land under his corporation, constructed the detached "garage". Applied on a building permit to convert it into a "game room". Then setup a stage, fixed seating, big cross on the front, stained windows, and a host of other church accruments. That pretty much showed he wasn't setting up for just a weekly "bible study", but was actually setting up a full fledged church and ignoring all the building codes while doing so (not to mention lying on the permits).

Now if he had been honest about setting up a church, the county couldn't stop him (a court would have forced them to allow a permit), he would just have to build the structure to code (something he seems to not want)"

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Ah, the rest of the story.