From a Liberty Counsel press release:
May 10, 2006
News Release
Virginia County Bucking Against Cowboy Church
Bedford County, VA In a demand letter written to Bedford County officials, Liberty Counsel has warned the county to back off its citation against a Cowboy Church. The letter was written on behalf of Raymond Bell, the pastor of The Cowboy Church of Virginia.
Mr. Garland Simmons owns and farms nearly all of his 900 acres in Bedford County. A few months ago, he agreed to open up his barn every Thursday night for worship services conducted by The Cowboy Church of Virginia. Having a church in a barn in the middle of a large field has become a big deal to Bedford County. Mr. Simmons received a Notice of Violation a few days ago, stating that the barn cannot be used for religious services and that his 900 acres of property arent zoned for religious meetings, therefore, he would not even be able to apply for a permit. Mr. Simmons has been given thirty days to appeal the decision.
Liberty Counsels demand letter states that
Bedford County is violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and the First Amendment. The letter requests that Bedford County officials immediately rescind the Notice of Violation or face a possible federal lawsuit.
Nice exam question perhaps. Cheers, Rick
Rick Duncan
Welpton Professor of Law
University of Nebraska College of Law
Lincoln, NE 68583-0902
Welpton Professor of Law
University of Nebraska College of Law
Lincoln, NE 68583-0902
"It's a funny thing about us human beings: not many of us doubt God's existence and then start sinning. Most of us sin and then start doubting His existence." --J. Budziszewski (The Revenge of Conscience)
"Once again the ancient maxim is vindicated, that the perversion of the best is the worst." -- Id.
Yahoo! Mail goes everywhere you do. Get it on your phone.
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