Keith Posted April 22, 2006 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 733 Topics Per Day: 0.10 Content Count: 3,017 Content Per Day: 0.43 Reputation: 128 Days Won: 1 Joined: 01/01/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/09/1966 Share Posted April 22, 2006 Homeowners ban Bible study Association leaders claim right to cut off religious gathering Two residents of a Southern California senior mobile home park are suing the homeowner's association for barring prayer and Bible study meetings in common areas. For 17 years, residents met weekly in the Warner Springs Estates clubhouse for a prayer and Bible study meeting, most recently led by local pastor Andy Graham. But in August 2004, after new leadership took over the homeowner's association, Graham was told in a threatening letter posted at the clubhouse to stop the Wednesday night meetings, according to the United States Justice Foundation, or USJF, which represents residents Susan Eva-Marie Heraver and Catherine Lovejoy. Colette Wilson, the lead attorney in the case, told WND the letter essentially said, "Anybody who tries to defy us, we're going to sue your pants off." Just prior to that, when the Bible study group gathered for its regular meeting, tenants and mobile home park staff were allowed to harass, threaten and interfere with the meetings, Wilson said. During other events scheduled during the week, such as Bingo on Tuesdays, it's understood that others in the room should be respectful and not in interruptive, but during the Bible study, the hostile residents acted in a "threatening manner," with antics such as blasting the volume on the TV and talking loudly, according to Wilson. One woman threatened meeting participants with a pool cue, and when she was videotaped, grabbed the camera, called police and claimed she was attacked, Wilson said. After the threatening letter, the attorney noted, the Bible study group gave up and began meeting in each other's homes. But Wilson said it limited them, because they couldn't accommodate the up-to-40 people who met in the clubhouse, where there also was adequate parking and handicapped access. Wilson said the meetings were nondenominational and included people of many different backgrounds, including Catholics, Jews and Protestants. Responding to an attempt by USJF to resolve the dispute without litigation, the defendants argued the residents have no right to have prayer services. The homeowners association, they insist, can determine who will use the common areas and under what conditions. Wilson contends this is contrary to the constitutions of the U.S. and California and the Unruh Act. She argued "numerous case precedents bar discrimination against people wishing to use commons areas in mobile home parks, in condominium complexes, and in other areas from holding Bible meetings or prayer meetings." "The attempt by the homeowners association to discriminate against those who wish to hold such prayer or Bible meetings, and the support of the homeowners association of the attempts to intimidate tenants out of having such meetings, is not only inexcusable, but illegal," Wilson said. The homeowners association passed resolution against religious meetings then revoked it, she explained, but in practice, the ban remains in effect. At the association's monthly meeting, residents ask about whether they can have a religious group and the head of board always says no, Wilson explained. She plans to file a new preliminary injunction in court asking that the meetings immediately be allowed to resume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catsmeow Posted April 23, 2006 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 439 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 7,315 Content Per Day: 0.93 Reputation: 356 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/21/2002 Status: Offline Share Posted April 23, 2006 Shades of things to come.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O'Dannyboy Posted April 24, 2006 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 156 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 3,454 Content Per Day: 0.48 Reputation: 4 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/22/2004 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/02/1969 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Its a shame that residents in the community felt they had to resort to harasment and threats, but such are the signs of the times as Catsmeow said. I hope that they will be allowed to continue their prayer meetings and that they get some help enforcing their right to do so under law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hebrews_beauty Posted April 25, 2006 Group: Nonbeliever Followers: 0 Topic Count: 11 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 232 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/14/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted April 25, 2006 Nothing surprises me in this nation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razberry Posted April 25, 2006 Group: Junior Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 108 Content Per Day: 0.02 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/30/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted April 25, 2006 It seems these people should have some rights. After all, they pay monthly dues to the homeowners' association, which is supposed to represent the rights of all residents. I hope they have a legal leg to stand on. The real bummer is that the association dues they pay will cover the cost of the homeowners' association's attorney. How unfair is that? My husband's daughter lived in one of those m.h. parks with a h.o. association. There was always trouble and neighbors bickering over anything and everything, and whomever was friends with the ones on "the board" were the ones who won the fights. It was unfair to many because everyone paid $75 dues each month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candi770 Posted April 26, 2006 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 119 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 1,316 Content Per Day: 0.20 Reputation: 7 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/01/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/01/1970 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Apartment Managers who run partially government subsidized housing are also subject to the same. If you have a club house- the manager can't decorate with Jesus stuff. Residents can decorate out side their apt religiously- but outside the managers home can't be decorated with any religous stuff-since they represent the apt complex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest barbb Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Apartment Managers who run partially government subsidized housing are also subject to the same. If you have a club house- the manager can't decorate with Jesus stuff. Residents can decorate out side their apt religiously- but outside the managers home can't be decorated with any religous stuff-since they represent the apt complex. I often wonder how God feels knowing so many people dont want anything to do with HIM??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candi770 Posted April 28, 2006 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 119 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 1,316 Content Per Day: 0.20 Reputation: 7 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/01/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/01/1970 Share Posted April 28, 2006 I'm sure it breaks his heart. But, he does know our frame-he's not surprised. If they could only taste and see that the Lord is good and his mercy endures forever. It's sad that their choice means eternal damnation-he gives all a choice-and he treats us equally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dakota190 Posted April 29, 2006 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 97 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 640 Content Per Day: 0.10 Reputation: 4 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/14/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted April 29, 2006 Apartment Managers who run partially government subsidized housing are also subject to the same. If you have a club house- the manager can't decorate with Jesus stuff. Residents can decorate out side their apt religiously- but outside the managers home can't be decorated with any religous stuff-since they represent the apt complex. I often wonder how God feels knowing so many people dont want anything to do with HIM??? well in time he won't have anything to do with them. if they deny Jesus before men, he will deny them to the father. there will be gnashing of teeth, actually they already have that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marnie Posted April 30, 2006 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 811 Topics Per Day: 0.12 Content Count: 7,338 Content Per Day: 1.08 Reputation: 76 Days Won: 2 Joined: 10/06/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted April 30, 2006 One woman threatened meeting participants with a pool cue, and when she was videotaped, grabbed the camera, called police and claimed she was attacked, Wilson said. Wow! What are they putting in the Geritol down there? What a fiesty bunch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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