California community fining couple for holding Bible studies?

There better be more to this than:

MISSION VIEJO (CBS) — An Orange County couple has been ordered to stop holding a Bible study in their home on the grounds that the meeting violates a city ordinance as a “church” and not as a private gathering.

Oh, there better be more to it than that.

Homeowners Chuck and Stephanie Fromm, of San Juan Capistrano, were fined $300 earlier this month for holding what city officials called “a regular gathering of more than three people”.

There better be more to it than that.

That type of meeting would require a conditional use permit as defined by the city, according to Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), the couple’s legal representation.

Does nobody in Orange County have a regular poker night? Movie night? Family dinner time?

The Fromms also reportedly face subsequent fines of $500 per meeting for any further “religious gatherings” in their home, according to PJI.

How much do they charge Code Pink and the Green Party for their gatherings?

“The Fromm case further involves regular meetings on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons with up to 50 people, with impacts on the residential neighborhood on street access and parking,” City Attorney Omar Sandoval said.

Okay, so: fifty people. That’s a lot. Four people to a car, that’s 13 cars, and it’s not likely they’re driving four people to a car.

In my neighborhood, a 50-person gathering would eat up parking space like mold on Nuke LaLoosh’s shower shoes. And doing that twice a week – that could certainly become an issue without prior planning

But as GatorDoug points out, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Nobody’s complained, according to the story. Their neighbors say it’s all just good. If so – if there are no dissenters the story neglects to mention – then I’d assume parking is not an issue.

So what the hell? Doesn’t there have to be more to this?

It makes me wish I lived in Mission Viejo, or San Juan Capistrano, or wherever it is this is happening, so I could invite you all over for a weekly Bible study. You should see me when I get my preach on. I can really hammer that pulpit.

Hat tip Insty.