By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
In a country that values religious freedom as much as the right to vote and bear arms, national outrage is growing over a California couple who was fined by the city of San Juan Capistrano for holding Bible studies and religious gatherings in their home.
The Capistrano Dispatch is reporting that Chuck and Stephanie Fromm, residents of San Juan Capistrano, home to the oldest church in California, were fined $300 for religious activities held in their home. The city claims they violated a municipal code that prohibits “religious, fraternal or non-profit” organizations in residential neighborhoods without a conditional-use permit.
“How dare they tell us we can’t have whatever we want in our home,” Stephanie Fromm said. “We want to be able to use our home. We’ve paid a lot and invested a lot in our home and backyard … I should be able to be hospitable in my home.”
The municipal code is “reactive,” which means it is only enforced if someone complains and Fromm admits that at least one person had voiced concern about the activities.
The Fromms activities amount to a Bible study on Wednesdays that draws about 20 people, and a gathering on Sunday morning that can sometimes draw as many as 50 people. Because the Fromms and their five chidlren live in a neighborhood of large homes on large lots, parking has never been a problem for the neighborhood, nor has noise, Stephanie says.
“There’s no singing or music,” she said. “It’s meditative.”
Their property is large enough to contain a 4,700 square foot home along with a coral, barn, pool and large back yard.
Chuck Fromm is publisher of Worship Leader Magazine, a Christian music resource that combines biblical wisdom and best practices for worship.
However, the Fromms insist that their weekly meetings are not affiliated with a church, nor are they seeking to establish a church.
The couple has decided to appeal the fine and will be represented by Michael Peffer of the Pacific Justice Institute in Santa Ana.
“Imposing a heavy-handed permit requirement on a home Bible study is outrageous,” said Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, in a statement.
“In a city so rich with religious history and tradition, this is particularly egregious. An informal gathering in a home cannot be treated with suspicion by the government, or worse than any other gathering of friends, just because it is religious. We cannot allow this to happen in America, and we will fight as long and as hard as it takes to restore this group’s religious freedom.”
A trial is set for October 7.
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