Perhaps you will remember the story of the people in a Southern California town who were told that they must get a permit to keep holding Bible studies in their homes. The court decided that they do not need a permit to meet for Bible study. Requiring this would be a violation of their Constitutional freedom to exercise their religion.
The issue did not seem to be the number of people who met at their house. In some areas there are ordinances that restrict mass gatherings on residential property. However, when the Christians who held these Bible studies were questioned by the authorities, they were not asked how many people were meeting there. They were asked if the prayed or sang or said “Amen.”
However, now suddenly this group of people is being asked to stop meeting again. A “neighbor” complained that there were anywhere from 40 to 60 people meeting at their house. However, the homeowner says there are only about 15 people who attend these Friday night meetings. The homeowners are being told that they must get a permit by April 2 or cease to hold their meetings.
For more information, check out this article - http://www.persecutionblog.com/2010/03/southern-california-city-says-home-bible-group-must-get-permit.html
Home Bible Studies Banned
An ordinance in Gilbert, Arizona, put into effect in 2005, bans Bible studies in that city. “Apparently, churches within Gilbert can't have any kind of meetings including potlucks or Bible studies.
‘The thing that is so ridiculous about this case is the city of Gilbert has singled out religious assemblies and private schools. Any other activity is fine, but if it's religious assembly, then it's banned by the ordinance and that's why this is wrong.’"
For more information, check out this article - http://ktar.com/?sid=1274224&nid=6
Also, watch the video about it below. Right click on the video file and click "Open in New Window" or "Open in New Tab."
The Power of One Complaint
Alexandria High School in Alabama has stopped holding morning prayers because one student complained. Go here for more information - http://www.kmov.com/news/entertainment/88530807.html
Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. (Malachi 3:13-15)
What can the righteous do? “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (Malachi 3:16,17)
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