I believe that no one has the right to tell people how they should practice their beliefs. However certain people are trying to change the Bylaws pertaining to the rules and regulations and this topic has come up. I think its ridiculous.
2006-08-11 10:02:57 · 50 answers · asked by katie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If the study group isn't interfering with anyone else, i.e. being loud,taking place at unreasonable hours,handling poisonous snakes, people exclaiming at the top of their lungs 'Jesus has saved me!', then fainting on the floor (even a 125 pound person can make quite a thud.), I don't think that the association can legally prevent people from practicing their beliefs.It's when a person's beliefs interfere with other peoples rights ,that's when the rambunctious party needs to rein it in.
2006-08-11 10:09:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Provided the subject matter isn’t illegal, you can reach an agreement to do or refrain from doing almost anything. Theoretically then… if you were thinking of buying a condo unit and the bylaws already disallowed bible study in individual units, and you nonetheless bought the unit after reading that... why should you be released from your promise in this regard? On the other hand though, assuming that “bible study” takes place solely within your unit and also is not something that violates some other pre-existing but neutral bylaw (like excessive noise – maybe you pray REALLY loudly ;-), there would be no way to get a court to enforce a new rule of that sort.
2006-08-11 10:47:42 · answer #2 · answered by Aye_Mate 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are living in a condo, then more than likely parking is extremely limited and the walls are paper thin. We had some neighbors that had a bible study group were we used to live and they constantly were taking up all of the parking so that we had to park 2 blocks away and they were extremely loud pole climbing holy rollers.
But if your bible study does not get loud or take up other peoples parking spaces it should not be an issue.
Don't bother starting some freedom of religion lawsuit because unless your condo is owned by the federal, state or local government you are wasting your time. Private entities are exempt from discrimination laws, you remember the boy scouts kicking out kids a few years ago for being atheist it is the same principal.
2006-08-11 10:24:36 · answer #3 · answered by sprcpt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this rule about Religion or is it about a gathering that is so big it disrupts the rest of the residents?
Bible study bans would not stand up under most laws....it would be like banning prayer in your own home. However, it could possibly make sense to ban gatherings of more than "X" number of people out of consideration for the other residents.
Plus, consider that even if 1 person brings up a proposal at a board meeting doesn't mean that it will pass. People can propose anything. I was on a residential association board one time, and people tried to propose all sorts of restrictions that we simply dismissed as ridiculous.
2006-08-11 10:21:04 · answer #4 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the condo community is originally set up as an enclave for other religious beliefs or non beliefs, as a way of protecting the residents from outside belief systems. Then those that either "convert" or are there on false pretenses should move on.
If the condo community is "generic" then no. Live and let live. As long as there is respect for the other residents, changing the rules would be outrageous.
2006-08-11 10:14:06 · answer #5 · answered by GJ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Homeowners associations can only interfere if the bible study is causing problems with noise, traffic, neighborhood cleanliness, clubhouse scheduling conflicts, etc. Other than those issues, what you do in the privacy of your own home is your business, and an HOA has no right or authority over it.
Ask what the core issue is (traffic, noise, etc) and show them how you're going to solve it. There shouldn't be much more to do than that.
best wishes
2006-08-11 10:54:50 · answer #6 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but allowing it is a two way street. Some people include it in their wills that if their children are to inherit anything those children must remain christian or go to some sort of Church. Why don't you quit complaining. If someone wants to hold a bible study, then they should move to another condo. It's private property.
2006-08-11 10:11:55 · answer #7 · answered by cypher 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I do not think it's right. And it's not even like those who are having these bible studies there are having them up on stage connected to a sound system. They're in the privacy of a home (or condo, but I'm talking about home in the general sense).
2006-08-11 10:06:33 · answer #8 · answered by sarahcurlygirl 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unfortuately, I think there might actually be a law giving private properties such as Condo Associations to provide such restrictions that are voted on by the group because it's "democratic." I would definately petition, especially for your individual rights.
2006-08-11 10:09:30 · answer #9 · answered by PithPulchritude 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Private property is private property.
If you are using your condo for the study, they can't restrict it except for secular reasons (e.g., too many people in a small unit is a violation of fire codes)
If you are using common areas (owned by the association, not you), then they have the right to restrict it.
2006-08-11 10:06:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋