You may remember that a couple of days ago I posted a link to a story about what appeared to be an imposition on religious freedom in San Diego. The whole thing still looks a little fishy to me, but if anybody did anything wrong here, it sounds like it's not going to be tolerated. After I raised the issue a few days ago, I thought it only fair to share the other side of the story.
I've got a friend that works in government, and I believe she's personally done a little work on this. Today she called this to my attention:
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/Portal/News/052909caomessage.html
I don't know about you, but I feel better. And if you are still concerned, rest assured that if anything goofy is going on here, my friend will unleash 104 lbs. of fury on anyone responsible.
Be afraid, people.
-Solid
Ah, one of the few women I allow my husband to really admire. KIDDING!! Seriously.
ReplyDeleteBut I still can't help but feel that the group targeted is still being specifically targeted. If it was anything but a religious group, I doubt seriously that it would be an issue. If my friend Leanne had weekly Mary Kay parties out of her home, with the same amount of people, etc, would she receive warnings and be pestered by the county? Of course not, because of zoning. It seems very unfair that the topic of discussion of a group of people can determine when, where, and how they can gather together. Maybe they should change their group name to be the Bonita Tupperware Study, and be permitted to meet as they see fit? I don't understand the zoning laws enough apparently to be comfortable with what is happening here.
But, on the bright side, it's so great to see how many people, groups, newspapers, and the media have brought this story out for discussion, and it's worldwide news at this point. People here in San Diego and in many places who wouldn't be caught dead at a Bible study have spoken out against what appears to be harrassment/persecution/whatever you want to call it.
Other bright side - the letter that Ellen and Solid have referenced from the County CAO is great stuff. He sounds like a really good guy, and it appears that this process will be carefully analyzed and handled sensitively. I just can't help but prickle at this whole situation.
Bring on the Tupperware. Or the Mary Kay. But if I want to have a group together weekly to talk, I really doubt that I'd let anything stop me.
Yeah, I'm not sure what happened, but it sounds like somebody got upset at a bunch of cars parked on the street. Then some weirdo government-type-person got out of line. Then the CAO and others stepped in, and it's all good. It's not fair to blame the government for this one. It's just people. At least that's what it sounds like to me.
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