'Big Brother' Requires Permit for Home Bible Study

A San Diego, CA couple say authorities appeared at their front door and interrogated them concerning their group Bible study habits and warned they will be fined if they continue such Christian activity without formal registration.

UPDATE 5/30/09: County rescinds citation against Pastor David and Mary Jones

UPDATE 5/27/09 FOX News Video


-- From "Home: No place for Bible study" By Drew Zahn © 2009 WorldNetDaily 5/22/09

The couple, whose names are being withheld until a demand letter can be filed on their behalf, told their attorney a county government employee knocked on their door on Good Friday, asking a litany of questions about their Tuesday night Bible studies, which are attended by approximately 15 people.

"Do you have a regular weekly meeting in your home? Do you sing? Do you say 'amen'?" the official reportedly asked. "Do you say, 'Praise the Lord'?"

The pastor's wife answered yes.

She says she was then told, however, that she must stop holding "religious assemblies" until she and her husband obtain a Major Use Permit from the county, a permit that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars.

And if they fail to pay for the MUP, the county official reportedly warned, the couple will be charged escalating fines beginning at $100, then $200, $500, $1000, "and then it will get ugly."

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