Tuesday, January 16, 2007 First Amendment & Zoning Boards
I just read an article at Christianity Today about Christ Church in New Jersey who needs to build a new sanctuary. The suburb they are located in "approved" their request with 45 conditions. Things like - you can't have Friday or Sunday night services, Bible studies on Wednesday night only, two hour break in between services, and 450 fewer parking spaces that they need (I can attest attending a large church that parking is very important). Crazy, I am hoping somebody will enlighten the Rockaway Township Planning Board that they are not allowed to violate the free exercise clause of the First Amendment. Their zoning/planning authority does not trump the Constitution.
