Don’t Forget the Little Fish in the Pond

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, September 7, 2012
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. Who would’ve thought City officials in Phoenix, Arizona would sentence a man to 60 days in the Tent City Jail, fine him $12,000 and put him on three years’ probation for the “crime” of hosting a weekly Bible study on his residential property? City officials said having a Bible study for friends put his home under laws governing churches that are open to the public. Mr. Salman began serving his sentence July 9, 2012, which should be over now.

In 2007 city officials ordered the Salmans to stop having home Bible studies, because “church related activities, including Bible studies, are not allowed” without permits and City approval. The city said Bible studies differ from family reunions and football parties or Boy Scouts meetings, because Bible studies are “religious in purpose.” Interesting! If the gathering had been a weekly poker night for friends, the home would not be considered a casino. But city officials claim hosting a religious gathering converts the home into a public church.

In 2009 city inspectors and almost a dozen police officers raided Mr. Salman’s property and charged him with 67 code violations. For example: there was no exit sign over doors or handicap-designated ramp or parking space. It’s curious that the City used the commercial building and zoning code to judge family activities that should have been decided under neighborhood residential regulations.

If there’s a silver lining in this case, here it is: Phoenix voters can replace City officials with folks that believe in religious freedom and assembly, whether at home or in church. Mr. Salman’s experience teaches us to research the values of every person seeking public office.

Personal beliefs DO influence official decisions that govern our lives 24/7. Remember, powerful local officials repeatedly fined a Clarkston home owner for growing vegetables on his residential property. More recently, a locally elected Chicago alderman swore to block a proposed Chick-fil-A and the mayor announced that he agreed with him. Their religious intolerance spread to Massachusetts, where the mayor of Boston banned Chick-fil-A from establishing a restaurant on Boston’s Freedom Trail. Ironic!

So, three elected local officials, an alderman and two mayors, who personally reject the religious values of Chick-fil-A management and affiliates, unconstitutionally interfered with the freedom of an honorable American corporation to do business under their jurisdiction in the “land of the free.” Since that initial act of discrimination, reportedly, plans are underway to pressure colleges and universities to ban Chick-fil-A outlets from campuses. Obviously, officials hostile to religious freedom are hostile to the U.S. Constitution, as well. Such officials should be replaced. Time will tell whether voters condone such persecution. Values are extremely important for everyone involved … even or maybe especially … in politics! For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.