"You can't turn your home into a wedding chapel"

September 30, 2009 - A 7000 square-foot mansion on Paseo del Mar in Palos Verdes Estates has allegedly been rented out to the public by owner, Melahat Uzumcu; for weddings and to vacationers, which would be a violation of city ordinances. Uzumcu will be arraigned Tuesday in Torrance Superior Court on charges of violating zoning codes, public nuisance and conducting a business without a license. The maximum penalty that she risks facing is 2-years in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Caution, City says you can't:

Universal Life Church Monastery suggests that prior to using a private space for public weddings, you must realize that your neighbors and the city through its various agencies, including the building department, fire department, health department and land use department – must approve of your action first or you will face the same consequences that many wedding chapels are running into. We do believe that a religious wedding is protected by the First Amendment provisions; “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” However, you will face the consequences of arguing that issue in a court of law at your expense against government bureaucrats who may not agree with you.

Source: LA Times
Photo: Steve McCrank

Compliance with ADA met with Expressed Religious Intolerance

September 17, 2009 - The Shelton, Connecticut neighborhood of Greenfield Drive is host to a story of religious intolerance and provides an accurate representation of the struggle that many small religious organizations and individuals practicing from home are facing around the United States; the freedom to practice religion without discrimination and to assemble peacefully, without restrictions from city authorities, state officials and speculative neighbors.

Practicing Wiccan Robert de Maille von Schmidt, is facing opposition from Shelton neighbors who feel that his recent application to expand his front porch to allow for wheel chair access as compliant with ADA standards, is nothing more than a “devious” attempt at establishing a future temple for the Wiccan Coven of the Spiral Light which he heads.

Concerned neighbor, Mary Peck has stated that,

“Any kind of religion is good; I just have a problem with people trying to shove their religion in my face.”

Neighbor Julie Raslavsky has expressed her belief that,

"The whole thing is inappropriate" and that the neighborhood is “up in arms over this."

WitchVox.com has public notices of a Public Mabon Ritual to be held by the Wiccan Coven of the Spiral Light to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox and Witches Thanksgiving from the home.

Mary Peck who is monitoring her neighbors closely has stated that many of the ceremonies involve people dressed in black robes and for one such ceremony there was a sign put up at a neighborhood intersection, courteously inviting the public to attend.

July Raslavsky has affirmed her personal beliefs by calling the group “devious” and “untrustworthy”.

City Zoning Administrator Rick Schultz has responded with the fact that, Churches are allowed by right in residential zones however the city “would have to look at its parking". He went on to state that "there is a difference between people meeting at a home as a group and an assembly as a church activity." He noted that many churches exist in the city and have appropriate space for parking. No application for such activity has been made and the speculation of a future religious temple from neighbors has been the only issue addressed over the ADA compliant porch debacle; not whether or not it is benefitting individuals visiting the home who may have disabilities.

“But if it does progress into an issue of conducting church services in a residential neighborhood, it could become a zoning issue, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Tony Pagoda said."

“People who live in glass houses should not throw stones”

Source:

Connecticut Post, ConnPost.com

MSNBC News

You Lie! [boy]

There is an audible undercurrent in the vociferous protestations of a lunatic fringe of Teabaggers, Birthers, and Deathers. It is a tacit refusal to acknowledge a black man as Head of State, Commander in Chief. A sign at last week's "Tea Party" protest in read "The zoo has an African lion and there's a lyin' African in the White House".

The movement now has a champion in Congressman Joe Wilson who infamously interrupted Barak Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress shouting "You lie!" Your correspondent's favorite ginger at the Grey Lady, speaking of the congressman's outburst observes that "For two centuries, the South has feared a takeover by blacks or the feds. In Obama, they have both."

In Memory of Shirley - Las Vegas, Clark County

September 14, 2009- Today is an unusual day. In Clark County, Las Vegas, Nevada we have recently run into much difficulty in trying to re-instate the policies and practices allowing our Ministers to perform weddings in Las Vegas. Unfortunately the County Clerk, Shirley Parraguirre was a stand in the door kind of obstacle. We saw Shirley as an opponent of equal rights for our ULC Ministers. We had reached the preliminary steps to bringing litigation against Clark County and its County Clerk, Shirley Parraguirre. Yet, we must say that the human side of every issue dictates cordiality and respect and the appreciation of human life. When one’s soul passes on it diminishes each of us. Shirley died of Leukemia on Monday August 31st; we send our condolences to her family and friends, hoping to build upon a new tomorrow in memory of Shirley.


Respectfully,

Br. G. Martin Freeman, President
Universal Life Church Monastery
Seattle, WA