We’ve told you before about government regulations hampering home Bible studies,
but this story is even more pervasive, perplexing and complicated than
the others. Michael Salman, who lives in Phoenix, Ariz., has been
sentenced to a startling 60 days in jail, given a $12,180 fine and
granted three years probation for refusing to stop hosting Bible studies
at his home. Why, you ask? He‘s apparently in violation of the city’s
building code laws.
City officials claim that he’s running an operation that is
reminiscent of a home church — but without the required permits. And
according to Fox’s Todd Starnes, Phoenix court documents show that he
violated 67 codes. Unless the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals grants
an emergency injunction, he will be jailed as early as next week.
Naturally, Salman believes the court’s findings amount to a crackdown
on faith and religion. The city maintains that the penalties are
legitimate based on the zoning laws he and his family have violated.
However, Starnes was apparently unable to reach the Phoenix prosecutor’s
office, the mayor’s office or code enforcement to obtain further
comment.
“They’re cracking down on religious activities and religious use.
They’re attacking what I, as a Christian, do in the privacy of my
home,” he said in an interview with Starnes. “If I had people coming to
my home on a regular basis for poker night or Monday Night Football, it
would be permitted. But when someone says to us we are not allowed to
gather because of religious purposes, that is when you have
discrimination.”
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