Arizona Homes Forced to Close Doors to Church Events
Gilbert, Arizona has illegalized house churches. Members have tried to work with the city, but according to Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) attorney Daniel Blomberg, the efforts have reached no avail. In the church’s defense, the law firm has appealed the town’s zoning Board of Adjustment.
“It’s a situation where a small house church that has been meeting in its members’ homes on a rotating basis has been ordered to stop holding those meetings,” Blomberg explains. “And they can’t have any type of meeting, whether they be a church service or they be a Bible study or a church leadership meeting.”
The ban is allegedly based on traffic, parking and building safety concerns, even though the zoning code does not prevent Cub Scout meetings or parties from being held on a regular basis.
The seven members of Oasis of Truth Church asked for an official interpretation of zoning ordinances, “and they paid $305, got an official interpretation of the zoning ordinance by the zoning administrator that said exactly that – you can’t meet in your own house to worship God,” the attorney adds.
He concludes that that violates the Constitution, as well as state and federal law. Alliance Defense Fund has entered the picture and is appealing the town’s ruling, but there is no word on a response. In the meantime, the church meets once a week at a local school.
(Source: OneNewsNow)
