Read article here: Phoenix preacher jailed in zoning dispute
See Michael Salman's vidoe here: Pastor Goes To Jail For Home Worship
Michael Salman would have us believe a lie.
On July 9th, Salman was sentenced to 60 days in jail and a $12,000 fine for holding Bible studies in his home. At first this sounds outrageous, especially in America, but there's more to the story.
Salman wants us to believe he is simply having friends and family over for a private study. This is far from the truth. On his property, Salman has erected a 2000 square foot structure in which he holds regular scheduled services complete with seating for as many as 40 people at a time. Frequently, attendees are not known to the Salmans. There is signage in the front yard designating the property as a church. Services are held routinely, with additional meetings for prayer and baptisms. In 2008, Salman applied for, and received tax exempt status for the property, designating it as church property.
This is not a simple Bible study being held in a private residence. This is an established church attempting to misrepresent itself for the purpose of avoiding state and local building ordinances.
Salman should be held accountable by his government. And by his fellow Christians. Deception is the Devil's tool, not God's.
Thank you for presenting "The Rest of the Story" Rich. Shame on this guy for lying in the name of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 18:17 "The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him."
I'm sorry Rich but I can't disagree with you more on this. I read your post, I read the article link, I also watched the entire video and I see no reason to believe that he is not having a legitimate Bible study as your title would suggest. He sounds like he is getting the run-around from his local zoning board mostly and is facing a heavy handed judge, who is sentencing him more harshly than the prosecution recommended. The inspector approved the building as a church which gained him tax exempt status, no problem. His violation, according to the prosecutor,Phoenix prosecutor Aaron Carreon-Ainsa said.
Delete“It has to do with whether there’s an exit sign over the door, or with the number of doors,” Carreon-Ainsa said of the game-room-turned-sanctuary...It’s an assembly-use case." It seems to me from reading the article that the city has had a problem with him having a Church from the beginning, that's the real issue here, IMO. I'm surprised of your stand on this given a few days ago you titled another debate “Its time for another revolution” you stated because of abuses, over regulation and a general overwhelming power in government and with that, I agree, however, what you failed to mention in that opening opinion was the religious oppression we are once again suffering as Christ followers; which is one of the major causes for the first revolution! And that’s what I see in this case. If he posted a few exit signs and made a handicap parking slot I wonder if all this would go away, I doubt it, but is that really worthy of 60 days in jail. I guess I just see it differently but we are told, one who is living a faithful Christian life will face opposition for his faith in various ways. 2 Timothy 3:12 Paul says, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution"
Marty, it sounds like you are arguing against building codes.
ReplyDeleteMy issue here is that this guy has been claiming all along that his congregation is a simple, informal Bible study with friends and family.
In action, he has established a formal church with signage, scheduled meetings, and tax exemption. He is using deception in the name of Christ. I have a problem with this and will not support it.
If he has a problem with the building codes, let him either fight them within the system, or ignore them without deception. If he were to call it a church but refuse to follow the codes as an act of passive resistance, I could get behind him. Claiming he's something he is not... That I can't support.
Rich,
ReplyDeleteI could care less about whether or not he complied with the building codes, please don’t misdirect this. I was simply pointing out what the story is, more than what it’s not. My argument however, is with you posting “this is NOT a Bible study” when there is not one thing, in either link you posted, to support your position. In fact everything points to him being legitimate, so I have to ask, where is the deception here?
Also you admit: “he has established a formal church with signage, scheduled meetings, and tax exemption.” and in the next breath say: “If he were to call it a church but refuse to follow the codes as an act of passive resistance, I could get behind him.” It seems to me that is exactly what he’s doing more than anything, so its hard to tell exactly where you stand.
Misdirect?
ReplyDeleteMy point from the very beginning is that this man has used deception to rally support for his attempt to avoid government requirements while enjoying government benefits.
He's trying to have his cake and eat it too.
He posts a sign and calls his followers a church while applying for tax exemption and growing his congregation. Then he claims he is NOT a church when it would require him to add safety signage and fire egress.
He can't have it both ways. Either he's running a church and needs to comply with the law or he's running a private Bible study and should take down the church sign and give up his tax exemption. If he doesn't like the rules, he can attempt to change them, but he can't use deception to rally support. If he want's to engage in passive resistance, he has to accept the consequences that go with it.
My read is that this guy just enjoys breaking the rules and making a fuss. He likes the attention and thinks he's special. But that's just a judgement, so take it for what it's worth.