Americans Must Pay Government to Study Bible in Home, Pastor, David Jones, Mary

Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary have been told that they cannot invite friends to their San Diego, Calif. home for a Bible study — unless they are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars to San Diego County.

"On Good Friday we had an employee from San Diego County come to our house, and inform us that the Bible study that we were having was a religious assembly, and in violation of the code in the county." David Jones told FOX News.

"We told them this is not really a religious assembly — this is just a Bible study with friends. We have a meal, we pray, that was all," Jones said.

A few days later, the couple received a written warning that cited "unlawful use of land," ordering them to either "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit," the couple's attorney Dean Broyles told San Diego news station 10News.

But the major use permit could cost the Jones' thousands of dollars just to have a few friends over.

For David and Mary Jones, it's about more than a question of money.

"The government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion," Broyles told FOX News. "I believe that our Founding Fathers would roll over in their grave if they saw that here in the year 2009, a pastor and his wife are being told that they cannot hold a simple Bible study in their own home."

"The implications are great because its not only us thats involved," Mary Jones said. "There are thousands and thousands of Bible studies that are held all across the country. What were interested in is setting a precedent here — before it goes any further — and that we have it settled for the future."

The couple is planning to dispute the county's order this week.

If San Diego County refuses to allow the pastor and his wife to continue gathering without acquiring a permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.

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[McGriff99]

I'm an agnostic and this story is upsetting from a secular viewpoint since the govt has no business regulating the religious practices of any group (provided their not causing others harm). Its absurd to think that you cant have 15 people in your house without a permit. However, contrary to the way fox is trying to portray this story, i dont think its against Christianity so much as regulating the right of people to assemble. If I have 15 people over to play X-box, do I need a permit now?

[234201986beth]

OMG my mom wouldnt be able to have all her kids and grandkids over if it is 15 or more and need apermit we all talk about the bible and eat and pray and there is my mom her 9 kids and 13 grandkids and 4 son in laws

[mcdinkity]

@discoqueen1970 im not american i live in europe where religion is laughed at

[discoqueen1970]

@Neosaigo Ok, why did you click on this site. Go click on the other 15 sites that are showing this, maybe you'll find something that YOU agree with.

[discoqueen1970]

@mcdinkity and you are what's wrong with America!!!

[discoqueen1970]

First of all it's California, and it's not part of America, it's the new Sodom. Second, it's okay for the rest of us not to pray in a public place and not fine the government for not allowing it, but it sure is okay for the government to fine us for praying in our homes. Liberalism at it's finest.

[mcdinkity]

america is crazy they still have religion ha ha ha its 2011

[MitsuGTO885]

Man am I happy I wasn't born in America... or Iran.

[Neosaigo]

It's FOX "news" facts don't matter.

[hemet92544]

DID THEY WIN????? HELLO???? 

[christo930]

@234201986beth We have been suffering from decades of lost rights, including the gov forcing religion on people through things like religious tests to hold office and religious tests to be exempt from taxes. This is just the natural progress of letting the gov into our personal lives. The ironic part is that it was the religious that fought hard to give the gov that power through things like putting god on our money, tax exempt status on religious organizations and the pledge just for starters!

[iversonmatthew]

@christo930 Me too and agreed.