Church Files Lawsuit To Worship In Building

Did the church check the rules before buying? Do your homework people.

The Bible says that where there are 2 or more are gathered in my name, I will be there (you will note that He didn't say - "and it has to be on two acres of land"). Let them worship in the building.

This is not what America is about. Churches should be able to assemble freely in any locale in America. I hope the board decision will be reversed.

I'm curious why a church building is denied to congregate in its own building especially after it purchased it? Is the city prejudice to its ruling by preventing Vietnamese people from conducting a church service? This is unheard of because there thousands of temples that are of hindus and muslim belief managed to have their building approved, so why preventing this church from doing its purpose. Oh maybe the city has something against the baptist...

I say you give those people the rights to worship.

This is really disappointed the way city nuckleheads people are doing things. Why would the church purchase 2 acres of land when they have a small group of people? It just does not make any sense.

Where is it in the constitution saying You have to have a minimal 2 acres of land in order to worship?

The constitution found by our forefather is saying "Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly"

Dallas Residence wrote:

This is really disappointed the way city nuckleheads people are doing things. Why would the church purchase 2 acres of land when they have a small group of people? It just does not make any sense.
Where is it in the constitution saying You have to have a minimal 2 acres of land in order to worship?
The constitution found by our forefather is saying "Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly"

It's called stepping out on faith and growth.

Whatever you do, please don't file a lawsuit (1 Cor. 6). That's the way of the world. Our way: we pray, pray and pray. And if they insist on not changing the laws so that Christians can worship at that location, then we move.

I strongly support the Plano Vietnamese Baptist Church to have the building and right to worship at their desired place.

Leon wrote:

Whatever you do, please don't file a lawsuit (1 Cor. 6). That's the way of the world. Our way: we pray, pray and pray. And if they insist on not changing the laws so that Christians can worship at that location, then we move.

I agree Christians should not bring each other to court. However, as Paul appealed his case up to Rome (Acts 24-26), so does the Plano VBC.

they were forbidden to worship because an ordinance say that the acre of land must be 2 acres instead of 1.2. The constitution was written to ensure that the Americans may freely worship free from the intrusion of government. I pray that this trend in America won't last...I pray for leaders who follows the spirit of the Constitution and not bend to the technical ordinances which hinders rights that belong to all Americans. God be with you Plano Vietnamese Baptist Church.

Noolie wrote:

Did the church check the rules before buying? Do your homework people.

While I may agree that some research should of been done to prevent this, but I will have to support the Vietnamese Baptist Church because THIS IS AN INFRINGEMENT ON THEIRS/OURS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

I need more information. The two acre rule ONLY applies to churches in residential areas. This is probably to ensure that there is plenty of parking and church goers are not parking in front of resident's homes and blocking driveways. If they can show the lot has plenty of room from parking and future expansion then they should grant them the waiver.

Anonymous wrote:

<quoted text>
While I may agree that some research should of been done to prevent this, but I will have to support the Vietnamese Baptist Church because THIS IS AN INFRINGEMENT ON THEIRS/OURS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

You got it! Thank you for making it clear.

TmE wrote:

I need more information. The two acre rule ONLY applies to churches in residential areas. This is probably to ensure that there is plenty of parking and church goers are not parking in front of resident's homes and blocking driveways. If they can show the lot has plenty of room from parking and future expansion then they should grant them the waiver.

According to the law, the church size of 50 needs 10 parking spaces. The facility has 30 parking spaces. Parking is not an issue.

Seems they should have checked zoning (hired attorney) BEFORE they bought the property.

Just because it was a church 50 years ago is irrelevant.

Is this law passed by the Constitution? Does it apply that every Church in the U.S has to be 2 acres?

The Church itself is not following the ordinance, but the fact here remains that the ordinance is unconstitutional in the first place. I believe that to be the primary focus of this lawsuit.

I am so impress that small group of planovbc they stand up for what they believed , they have faith in god.
god will be with you all,

I do not understand why the city did that. Now, without thinking, we can see a very obvious result that the Vietnamese church will win for sure. Maybe this is an oppurtunity that God has given them to help them finalcially

Shame on the realtor that sold this building to these people. Plano realtors know the city ordinances. They know about building set backs and zoning, etc. You can't tell me that these people or the pastor of this church didn't tell the realtor why they wanted to purchase this building. Sounds like someone was just wanting to make their commission.
I like zoning. I live in Houston where it doesn't exist and you never know what someone is going to build next to you. Plano has always been a little "uppity". I lived there for 7 years. But, I think their intentions were good when they set the rules.