Arizona Pastor Arrested, Jailed for Holding Bible Study in Home

[Revmitchell]

Salman was sentenced to 60 days in jail, three years probation and received a $12,180 fine for "the crime."

His wife Suzanne spoke with Fox and Friends this morning to express her shock and disbelief at the entire situation. According to Suzanne, the city told her that her husband was essentially arrested because the Bible study was at a private house .. and that essentially, it's a church. Since they weren't zoned for church, they were told they were breaking the rules.

Read more: http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/07/1...e-his-wife-says-it-defies-logic#ixzz2Y0DYGb6U

 

[InTheLight]

This is the guy that agreed that his parsonage (residence) would not be used for church purposes, such as a meeting rooms, church offices, or gathering areas.

He applied for a permit to build a 3,600 square foot sanctuary to seat 150 people in his backyard but was denied because he could not meet the legal setback requirement for buildings from property lines. He then changed his request to build a 2,000 square foot building in his backyard for a "game room." A letter from the city stating that "any changes in the uses....would need to be approved."

http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/in...sd/documents/web_content/pdd_pz_pdf_00357.pdf

He never did get the building permits but he went ahead and built anyway, In May 2007 he pleads responsible for building a structure without a permit. He finally does get a permit to build the 2000 sq. ft. game room in 2008.

The permit states, "Any other occupancy or use (business, commercial, assembly, church, etc.) is expressly prohibited pursuant to the City of Phoenix Building Code and Zoning Ordinances."

During 2009-2010 church services are held on Mr. Salman's property without proper permits and in violation of safety concerns. As a result, Mr. Salman is cited.

On January 4, 2010, Harvest Christian Fellowship Community Church is found responsible for 96 civil code violations. The Court notes, "[T]he State is not saying the Salmans can't run a church or have worship services at the location, but the State is saying that if they do so, they must do it properly and in accord with the building, fire, and zoning codes."

On August 30, 2010, Mr. Salman was found guilty of 67 Class 1 Misdemeanors. The Court stated, "Everyone is entitled under the United States Constitution to worship as they please. But there is a reason for these codes and that is for public safety. And that, I believe, is all that the State is asking is that the Code violations be rectified." He appeals the convictions and loses his appeal.

"Any time you are holding a gathering of people continuously as he does — we have concerns about people being able to exit the facility properly in case there is a fire — and that's really all this comes down to," said Vicki Hill, the chief assistant city prosecutor.


http://global.christianpost.com/new...lman-jail-pastor-home-bible-study-case-78153/

[BTW, this story is almost a year old. Is this really "current events"?]

 

[Crabtownboy]

Salman was sentenced to 60 days in jail, three years probation and received a $12,180 fine for "the crime."

His wife Suzanne spoke with Fox and Friends this morning to express her shock and disbelief at the entire situation. According to Suzanne, the city told her that her husband was essentially arrested because the Bible study was at a private house .. and that essentially, it's a church. Since they weren't zoned for church, they were told they were breaking the rules.

Read more: http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/07/1...e-his-wife-says-it-defies-logic#ixzz2Y0DYGb6U

Old news. Discussed a year or so ago.

 

[Arbo]

And the other side to the story is...

 

[just-want-peace]

Old news. Discussed a year or so ago.

So why did you other to read it?:sleep:

 

[annsni]

"A Bible study in his home" - it was not

Disobeying the law - it was.

He got what he deserves.

 

[InTheLight]

"A Bible study in his home" - it was not

Disobeying the law - it was.

He got what he deserves.

Plus he's a liar.

His "game room" had chairs set up in rows and a lectern at the front of the room. Typical weekly attendance was about 80 people. Yet the family complains that the city does not crack down on people having poker nights or Tupperware parties in their homes, so therefore they are being wrongly persecuted for being Christians.