California Couple Fined $300 for Holding Home Bible Studies

Nmysys wrote: I don't think that they could have codes preventing people from having a certain number of guests in their home. You don't need a zoning variance for having people in your home.

This is the problem that the city cited in the article:

A spokeswoman for the city of San Juan Capistrano stressed that local authorities were not trying to prohibit home Bible study.

Instead, she said the city fined the Fromms for transforming a residential area into a place where people regularly assemble.

So the San Juan Capistrano government can deny the First Amendment of the Constitution?

HEARTLESS wrote: So the San Juan Capistrano government can deny the First Amendment of the Constitution?

You'll have to ask them. These people are welcome to appeal the fine and fight it in court, but the zoning code is there for all to see and read.

As is the right to peaceably assemble.

And I will say it again, I don't believe the city will win in this case.

Just because they claim that it is not an attempt to prohibit the religious study doesn't stop the Fromms from claiming it and proving it. We have certain rights that cannot be taken away by government, at any level, and I already have predicted that the city will lose in this regard.

You seem to want to give government any and all rights, but there are people who still will stand up for their rights.

Nmysys wrote: And I will say it again, I don't believe the city will win in this case.

Just because they claim that it is not an attempt to prohibit the religious study doesn't stop the Fromms from claiming it and proving it. We have certain rights that cannot be taken away by government, at any level, and I already have predicted that the city will lose in this regard.

You seem to want to give government any and all rights, but there are people who still will stand up for their rights.

You assume incorrectly that I want to give rights away.

Most likely, these people knew the zoning laws and violated them. If they didn't, then ignorance of the law is still not an excuse for violating the same law.

If they do not like the zoning code, they are free to initiate a change.

I am quite amused at the criticism of me and kate...like suggesting that people obey the law is a bad thing. I also moved up in the mountains to have more freedoms...that was a choice of mine and I doubt I would have any recourse should any neighbor of mine decide to have 50 people over for a party twice a week, every week. I think it would be terribly rude of them to subject the people on this road to it...but it would be within their rights....they don't get to tell me I can't park my RV on my property either....that's the way it is up here, we all made the choice to live here.

In a city or suburban neighborhood things are different...more restrictions and zoning laws, and very often HOA rules too. You accept that when you buy a home in such a community...

Most likely you assume, as usual.

Most likely you assume that I assume, as usual

archer wrote: I am quite amused at the criticism of me and kate...like suggesting that people obey the law is a bad thing. I also moved up in the mountains to have more freedoms...that was a choice of mine and I doubt I would have any recourse should any neighbor of mine decide to have 50 people over for a party twice a week, every week. I think it would be terribly rude of them to subject the people on this road to it...but it would be within their rights....they don't get to tell me I can't park my RV on my property either....that's the way it is up here, we all made the choice to live here.

In a city or suburban neighborhood things are different...more restrictions and zoning laws, and very often HOA rules too. You accept that when you buy a home in such a community...

What is getting lost in the defense of the city is that the Fromm's do not live in an urban or suburban area of the city, the live in a semi-rural area that falls within the jurisdiction of the city, much as those of us who live in and around the 285 Corridor do.