A federal court in the San Francisco Bay Area has determined that churches do not contribute to a vibrant and fun atmosphere and therefore may be excluded from Salinas’ downtown area.
New Harvest Christian Fellowship has rented space along Main Street in Salinas for more than 25 years. Their growing congregation prompted leaders to recognize several years ago that the church needed a larger facility. In the meantime, the church has had to limit or even discontinue some ministries because of the space limitations. In 2017, it seemed the church’s prayers were answered when a larger building just across the street went up for sale. With property at a premium in Northern California, the church seized the opportunity and bought the building in early 2018.
But the city had a different vision for Main Street. It demanded sharp restrictions on the building’s use such as worship and assemblies only on the second floor, and dedication of retail space on the ground floor to an extent that proved unworkable for the church. The church contacted Pacific Justice Institute, which recognized the preferential treatment the city was giving secular assembly uses at the same time it was blocking the church. Just a few feet away the city permitted theaters and live entertainment venues to operate without similar restrictions….
On May 29, U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Van Keulen of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a surprising decision siding with the city. The court determined that churches generate limited interest, do not draw tourists, and therefore detract from the city’s goals of vibrancy. The court further believed a city is justified in promoting a “street of fun” that excludes churches at the same time it allows even larger concert and entertainment venues….
The above comes from a June 16 email from the Pacific Justice Institute.
Soma, si.. Souls, no.
This church should sell its property and pull out and go to a decent place where it is wanted. Leave Sodom, and it will self destruct.
Panem et circensus redux. Just more evidence of the deconstruction of our Judeo-Christian culture.
Yes, indeed — the return of pagan Rome with its bread and circuses.
By the way, the article says that Salinas did not want ANY churches in its downtown area. That is why I wrote what I did.
And maybe I should have written my first post better, but it seems to sound as if the planning commission would allow things to get out of hand, with excessive drunkenness and vices uncontrolled.
This fellowship should simply build its church, but license it as a theater.
Use the space as they choose, they own it now!!!
To hell w/the city biased rule they just created, which is unconstitutional.
Hold a sort of block party on the bottom floor once a week to sort of recruit new church members. Make it a ‘FUN’ event. Let the city sue if the choose & take it to the Supreme Court!!! Fight back on the progressive movement to silence the religious sect of society. Never give up !!!!!! ??????
I might be a little passive aggressive but I suggest a homeless shelter and soup kitchen on the first floor to bring in some vibrancy and excitement as well as community service.
Will pray that Gods will be done in this situation…..