Fairfax County Poised to Shut Down Home Bible Studies?

bible-study_724_482_80

I never imagined when I agreed to host a Bible study in my home that such an action may one day be a violation of law.

Yet that’s exactly what my very own Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is prepared to do right here in Virginia.

A proposed county zoning ordinance would make it a violation to have more than a certain number of people at your home in a given period of time.  Yet, such an ordinance would stand as a blatant violation of the Constitution.

As Fox News explains, “The proposed zoning ordinance limits ‘group assembly’ at residences to 49 people a day. Such gatherings ‘shall not occur more frequently than three times in any 40-day period.’”

Here’s how the county explains the need:

Over the last several years, there have been complaints from residents regarding frequent and large gatherings at neighborhood homes. These gatherings can create parking, noise, and other concerns for the neighborhood. Although occasional, large gatherings – such as private parties, house concerts, religious meetings and social clubs – are expected and permissible activities at a home, gatherings that occur on a regular basis involving numerous people can detract from the residential nature of a neighborhood because most residential structures and neighborhoods are not designed to accommodate such events.

How many complaints have there been you might ask?  Six.  That’s right, six complaints in Virginia’s most populous county.

Because six people complained, the county is poised to violate the right to free speech, the right to religious expression, and the right to freedom of assembly. (Brian delves further into the constitutional problems here.)

The county has plenty of tools in its arsenal to combat any actual problem without violating the constitutional rights of its citizenry.

If they park illegally, tow the cars.  If they cause a noise violation, issue them a warning or citation.  If they litter, ticket them.  If they trespass or damage property, arrest them.

But don’t violate my precious First Amendment rights to prevent something I’m not doing and can easily be remedied in any of the above ways.

This is just more needless regulation to resolve a nonexistent problem and make violators out of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

But this won’t just affect Bible studies. It will hamper birthday parties, community block parties, house warming, open houses, having people over to watch the big game, and so much more. And if it could happen in Fairfax, it could happen anywhere else.

So who’s behind this measure?  It was proposed, conveniently, not by any Supervisor but as a board staff recommendation.  Regardless of who’s behind it, it’s got to be stopped.

If this strikes you as outrageous, do something about it.  Fairfax County is accepting comments through May 30th.  Leave a comment here.  I just left this one.

You can also show up at the next three meetings they have dedicated to hear what you have to say about this issue.

Tonight is my first night hosting our Bible study.  I don’t plan on it being my last.

Сейчас уже никто не берёт классический кредит, приходя в отделение банка. Это уже в далёком прошлом. Одним из главных достижений прогресса является возможность получать кредиты онлайн, что очень удобно и практично, а также выгодно кредиторам, так как теперь они могут ссудить деньги даже тем, у кого рядом нет филиала их организации, но есть интернет. http://credit-n.ru/zaymyi.html - это один из сайтов, где заёмщики могут заполнить заявку на получение кредита или микрозайма онлайн. Посетите его и оцените удобство взаимодействия с банками и мфо через сеть.