Attacking Religious Freedom With Building Codes?

"If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck."
                                                                                 --------James Whitcomb Riley

Since when do zoning and building code violations attack religious freedom?

I'm referring to the Phoenix man claiming his Constitutional rights are being violated due to his refusal to stop having Bible studies in his home - apparently against the city's building codes.

After reading the Fox News story by Todd Starnes, I can't believe any true Christian is supporting this guy.

From what I understand, according to the story, Michael Salman was holding Bible studies in his home three times a week.  Neighbors complained about the traffic, which is when the city became involved.  He was sent a letter that told him, "the Bible studies were not permitted in their living room because it was in violation of the construction code."  If this were one of my neighbors, I would appreciate the city protecting my safety.  Mr. Salman didn't.  His Good Friday backyard "fellowship" resulted in the Phoenix Fire Department threatening, "to call the police - unless their guests left...".  The story doesn't say, but I suspect another neighbor complaint.  This was all in 2007.  In 2008, another "gathering" broken up by the Fire Department, but in 2009, Salman built a "2,000 square foot building in their backyard."  The story states, "he applied for and was granted the proper building permits" and passed inspection.  Salman then began having his Bible studies there.  Mr. Starnes quotes the chief assistant city prosecutor Vicki Hill who said, "...he was given a permit to convert a garage into a game room.  Any other occupancy or use - business, commercial, assembly, church, etc, is expressly prohibited pursuant to the city of Phoenix building code and ordinances."  It seems, Michael Salman does not understand this.  After being charged with "67 code violations", he is claiming this building is not a church.  "It has chairs for as many as 40 people, there is a pulpit, there is a sign out front - along with a cross."  But it's not a church.

At this time, please refer to the above quote from James Whitcomb Riley, also known as "The Duck Test".  If it's not a church, or being used as a church, then just what the heck is it?  It certainly isn't being used as a "game room" for which the building permit was issued.

Mr. Salman is using words like, "harassing", and "discrimination" to describe what the city is doing to him.  To describe Mr. Salman, I use the word "fraud".  He lied on his building permit, and would rather hide behind an apparent misinterpretation of the Constitution of the United States by claiming violations of his religious freedom, than follow scripture.  Luke 20:25, "...render unto Caesar which be Caesar's, and unto God which be God's."  Just obey the city, pay your fines, and find an appropriate place to hold your Bible studies.

What a great example for the people looking up to you as their spiritual leader.

I feel sorry for how mislead they must be.