San Diego County Officials told pastor that he can not hold a Bible study in his home without a permit -Truth!  but Decision Reversed!

San Diego County Officials told pastor that he can not hold a Bible study in his home without a permit –Truth!  but Decision Reversed!

Summary of eRumor:

A forwarded email with a story about a San Diego man and his wife who host a Bible study that meets at their Southern California residence.  The story says that they were visited by a San Diego County official on Good Friday and were told to stop holding “religious assemblies” until they obtained a major use permit.

The Truth:

The story is true but the County of San Diego reversed it decision on Friday May 29, 2009, according to 10News in San Diego.    Click for story.

David Jones is the pastor of the South Bay Community church in National City near San Diego California.   He and is wife, Mary, host a Tuesday night Bible Study and dinner with a small church group at their home in Bonita, not far from their church.   At a Good Friday dinner and study on April 11, 2009, an employee from San Diego County came to their house inquiring about activities such as singing, prayer and praising of the Lord at their residence.  They were then informed that the weekly Bible study at their home was a violation to a county code.

The story was first reported by World Net Daily on May 22, 2009.   Shortly afterwards various news agencies reported this including Fox News Network where Pastor Dave Jones and his wife granted an interviewed.  Click for Fox News article and video.  

Some news reports said that this incident was sparked over complaints from neighbors regarding parking but Pastor Jones told truthorfiction.com that this was clearly not the case as he has a  large paved driveway allowing ample space for the six vehicles that usually park at his studies.   His house lies on two acres of land and the closest house to his is 600 feet away.  Jones told TruthorFiction.com that none of his neighbors had issued any complaint regarding parking or road access and one of his neighbors had attended his studies.

Pastor Jones is seeking an apology from the County of San Diego.

updated 06/01/09