WA Church: "Religious Discrimination" to Prevent Church From Caring for Homeless

Tammy Varney

Tammy's house of coffee ministries working with the homeless

Henry Buehler

Sanctuary, a consecrated place giving protection to those fleeing from justice or persecution; or, the privilege of taking refuge in such consecrated place. The right of sanctuary was based on the inviolability attaching to things sacred, and not, as some have held, on the example set by the Hebrew cities of refuge. It was recognized under the Code of Theodosius (399) and later by that of Justinian. Papal sanction was first given to it by Leo I, about THE SANCTUARY OF ST. MENAB, EGYPT 460, though Ivory Carving, Museum, Milan the first Council of Orange had dealt with the matter in 441. The earliest mention of sanctuary in England was in a code of laws promulgated by King Ethelbert in 600. A bishop may serve as judge in a legal case only if both parties agree to it. Bishops are given restricted rights to appeal on behalf of convicted criminals. Only in humanitarian cases, when there is sufficient evidence and the time for appeal is not run out may they assist in making an appeal. If the clergy refuse to surrender someone who has fled to church to escape his debts, they shall be responsible for paying his debts. Bishops must preside over cases regarding religion. Provincial governors hear cases of secular law. Rights sought by the church through lawyers or representatives rather than through clergy shall be effected. Privileges already held by the church shall remain in effect. Among other legislation dealing with freeing prisoners of war, Honorius encourages Christian clergy to advocate for returned prisoners. If two parties have chosen to have their cases heard before bishops, the verdict is unappealable. The governors will be in charge of execution of the verdict. Only orthodox Christians may be appointed as defender of the city, with the bishop and clergy joining the distinguished citizens, rentiers, and curials in making the appointment. On Sundays, governors should see to the care of prisoners, providing food and a bath, and personally examining their condition. 20 pounds of gold is the fine for breaking this law. Bishops should encourage governors not to neglect this law. For persons seeking sanctuary in a church, the zone of protection shall extend fifty paces from the church. Priests are allowed to enter prisons and visit prisoners. They are also allowed to advocate before judges on behalf of prisoners if justice has not been done.

If someone loses a legal case against a clergyman, he will be fined in accordance with his means. Also, if a guilty man is walking with a priest or bishops, he may not be detained. When criminals take refuge in a church, none may offer force or violence to apprehend them therein. The porticoes, halls, houses, and other adjacent buildings and rooms are also designated as sanctuary, so that the criminal will not have to defile the altar by fleeing to it. But if a criminal is not willing to lay down his weapons upon entering the sanctuary, armed men will drag him out. Anyone who has tried to drag a criminal out of a sanctuary will be condemned to capital punishment.

If there is a dispute between clergy but the litigants agree themselves, a bishop may serve as judge. This applies for lay persons also. Both litigants must agree to this. No one may join the clergy to avoid his obligated status, including: farmers, tenant farmers, slaves, municipal senators, receivers of taxes, seviers of guilds, or public slaves. Those from upper classes may either find substitutes or return to their previous positions, those from lower classes must return to their previous position. Clergy may not engage in a trade or conduct business. If they engage in trade, they are not subject to clerical exemptions.

Churches taken by heretics from the orthodox are to be returned to the Catholic Church. If clergy should be created by heretics, both the cleric and the person who appointed him are to be fined. Because not all should be punished in like manner, Arians, Macedonians, and Apollinarians, who have incorrect views about Christ, will not be permitted to have any church buildings, while Novatians and Sabbatians may not construct new churches. Eunomians, Valentinians, Montanists, Priscillians, Phrygians, Marcionites, Borborians, Messalians, Euchitans or Enthusiasts, Donatists, Audians, Hydroparastatans, Tascodrogitans, Photinians, Paulianists, Marcellians, and Manichaeans are forbidden to hold public assemblies and prayer. Manichaeans are to be expelled from the cities. Such people are forbidden from all governmental services except that they may be cohortalines in the provinces and military. Previous laws against heretics are upheld. This includes laws which limited their ability to leave or receive an inheritance or to serve in the government. They may not convert or proselytize others, including their own slaves. Any governor who fails to exile someone who has broken these laws will himself suffer the due punishment.

Henry Buehler

Driving to Church went by Police station with dozens of homeless camped out in front. There were no homeless camped out at Church. There is Law and there is persecution, persecution need be put down by Law. Do you have Faith or malice?

The Rock Church has sheltered homeless people in RVs on its property since 2019, calling it their religious duty to help those in need. But on at least three separate occasions, in 2021, 2022 and again in 2023, town officials blocked their efforts, saying they violated zoning laws. The church, in response, said this violated its 1st Amendment rights to religious freedom, as well as the Religious Land Use And Institutionalized Persons Act.

In January, the church sued the town.

"The Holy Bible specifically and repeatedly directs faithful Christians like the Church's members to care for the poor and needy out of compassion and mercy for those who are experiencing significant misfortune and hardship," the church wrote in court filings.

Henry Buehler

I wanted to post about historical sanctuary offered by church. I posted link that was not approved. Link referenced English church where I wanted to reference French church In New Orleans that was French territory.

Pastor George Day

No book has loomed larger in American history than the Bible. It has animated governmental ideas and shaped national identity. It has sparked reform, political union and division, and creative inspiration for novelists, artists, and songwriters nationwide.

How did the Good Book shape the church in the United States? Why don't you grab a chance to dive deeper into the story of the Bible’s influence on American worship and personal devotion? This will bring you better clarity regarding the ways Americans have valued, experienced, and defended the B-I-B-L-E.

Thomas Christopher Medina

Haven't you all figured out that in today's society it's all about the money? If you adhere, we need the money. If you don't adhere, we need the money. I think the best solution to this dilemma is that any good Christian people that are concerned about the homeless people should invite some to stay in their homes. Particularly those that are members of this particular congregation. That's real Christianity. Are you a believer, or are you a follower?

Raychelle Denise Irby

Absolutely Not, the bible needs to be in schools along with Prayer. Yes The Church is supposed to care for the down trodden and the homeless. Even if it means opening their doors to cloth and house the homeless. Jesus said' the poor you shall have with you always. No evolution isn't a religion and shouldn't be classified as such. The big bang theory and darwinism totally contradicts the word of God. God is not confused and neither should his creation be. We didn't come from Apes or millions of particles from the sky. God created man in his own image and in his likeness. That's why God came to earth through a virgin to take on humanity so that man would be without excuse. Hebrews 4:14-15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. God loves the sinner but he hates the sin, for whom he died and rose again. God thought enough about you and I to send his only begotten Son to die on a cross for your and my sins. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life. That sacrifice alone should be enough to make us all fall down on our knees and scream thank Jesus for forgiving and covering my sin which stands for Self Individual needs. God bless you all Be prayerful and be vigilant because Jesus is soon to return to erect judgement and set the captives Free.

Cheryl Anne Wooten

Amen. When we've done it for (cared for, fed, provided shelter, etc.) the least of them, we've done it into God.

Richard T Berry

The town is run by a bunch of Heathens.

Rev. Dr. Father JJ

these blogs are a wonderful example of how people will make an argument without understanding the issues involved, just kneej erk reactions.

I've pointed out at least 3 times that this story was old and it was over, in Feb 2024.

the pastor simply did not want to SIGN the application for the permit for the homeless encampment. apparently he felt he didn't need to follow the rules of the city, building dept, health department, etc.

the encampment was broken up in FEB 2024 because the church involved and a private social organization no longer were housing the homeless

so the blog here is old news, had nothing to do with government overreach nothing to do with restrictions on or against a church or a pastor.

Walter J. Holbrook

What in the "flip-flip" is this. The Bible teaches to care for the homeless and oppressed, the sick and shut-in, widows and orphans. This is why so many are having a lot of hatred for government over reach.

Quinn R Amaro

Jesus told us to live your neighbor. OUR neighbor is everyone. But a political organization created by human's cannot trump what Jesus our spiritual Leader told us. It is clear to me that a mere human wants to tax a church that is assisting the homeless on church property (WHICH NOT PUBLIC PROPERTY) because... Why? Because these mere human being's seem to think they are more powerful than God who created life? It because these mere human being's want to pocket a little if that money "paid" for by a church? How can we love other's even humans only want to make a buck out of it?

Anthony Craig Liner Sr I

Remember Jesus (Isa) was homeless no where to lie your head . Shame on them ! Homeless people need love too

Bernadette Miner

The church is in its right to fund and help the homeless. They should not have any legal issues against them as they are in the right setting of what the religion has a lawful religious obligation to help the homeless. Jesus did and he and GOD are our saviors who died for us, helped cure the sick, and love us all no matter who we are.

Jeremy Todd Roche

It's not necessarily discrimination, it's prohibition against the homeless. "They'll" keep fining people/businesses until "they" figure out a way to tax homelessness. Just a thought.

James A

Other than that bit of misinformation about the pilgrims, the attorney is spot on. Nice to see Christians acting in a Christian manner and tending to the needs of the poor.

Julie Armstrong

If church wants to help homeless they should. I understand it is out of control. Just build tiny communities and make did illegal They will go away to nails or California

Ari Joseph Bertine

Jesus didn't say "only help people if it's free". That church needs to suck it up and do what they need to do legally in order to serve their community. Trying to squirm out of the permit requirements is prompted by greed, not religious freedom. It's not fooling anyone.

Leaf

Its funny how the christians will pick and choose things Jesus said to fit their narrative. Jesus said to give to Cesar what is Cesar's. Well, Cesear wants a permit.

Tom Herman

This case clearly is one where the interpretation of existing law needs confirmed by the courts. It is appropriate for a church to want to care for the needy but not at the expense of the public trust. From the article it appears that prior to the town enacting the ordinance this church is in compliance with existing laws. Such laws are generally for public safety and health. I would be concerned if the new ordinance was designed simply for aesthetic or elitist reasons.

Amber Fry

I would say they do have the right and even an obligation, generally speaking, but they still should follow legal and ethical treatment while doing so. If they go about it in ways that break laws or discriminate then they are not exactly doing it for the reasons Jesus laid out.

Patricia Ann Gross

My question about all of this, is would the city have issued the permit to the church or denied it? There is a lot not included in this story, for example, are adequate facilities available for the people in the encampent to go to the bathroom, or are they having to go on the ground or try to use them in other businesses surrounding the encampment? Are they also feeding them (even church kitchens have to have a health inspection if the serve more than xx people)? Is there any effort by the church to reach out to the inhabitants to make sure they have access to social services and medical treatments? What about security? Are child predators (which make up a disproportiately large percentage of homeless as most shelters will not accept anyone on the sex offender registry) amongst families with children? Is there any Intake or assignment of plot for each person camping there? There are definitely more questions than answers presented here, and nobody really knows whether or not it started as a simple $100 permit that blew up to $100K on principle by the church. . I have worked in non-profits that support the homeless, and it is not as simple as a church/state issue. Fire codes apply to churches. Health department licenses apply to church kitchens. Renovations to church properties, and building new buildings require building permits. These are all for the safety of the community, including the community that this church is trying to help. If they applied for the permit and it was rejected, that is one thing, but refusing to obtain the permit is another. It was not clear which was the case. A church is private property, but when it serves the "public" (in whatever form that is), it still has to abide by rules associated with public safety. It is likely they are violating more than just a "permit" requirement.

Thomas P. Davis

I remember reading a book back in the 80"s. " the American Dream what has happen to it." The author stated that this country was set up on two principles. Protect our borders from foreign invasion and separation of church and state. Today, it stated that 80% of all of our tax dollars go to people that don't work for it. Davey Crockett almost lost his job when a widow of a civil war wanted the government to pay for her to live. He said the government was not set up for that. The author of the book said this is the churches responsibility and not the government.

Theresa C. Marquess

Before opening their arms to the homeless with an encampment on church grounds, legal advice should be sought to determine whether permits would be needed, whether additional insurance would be necessary, what any legal ramifications would be encountered. They would be undertaking the safety and well being of the people that they plan to take in. We don't live in an age where we could just open our properties to homeless people without taking on a total responsibility for them.

Cheryl Anne Wooten

Totally agree. There will always be poor (homeless, hungry, less fortunate) among you. So it is the churches duty to care for them.

Randal Steven Muniz

I personally lived in a church property homeless camp for a year in Nashville TN. We had no problems. Other encampments that we're individual have been closed down by the City. Yet still, in Nashville TN, it's illegal to be homeless. YOU can be fined upto $500 and serve jail time!!!! It's ashame that these law's are enforced by and brought up and sponsored by so called " Christians."

David M Hines

Aren’t they doing what Jesus commanded?

Minister M.D. Murphy

Every organization should have a complete clearance to aid and assist those who are less fortunate.

Bridget Kielas-Fecyk

And yet again the Alt-Right, hate-mongers rear their ugly heads here. They hate other people SO much they scream about how the poor and homeless should just die and they deserve no assistance what so ever.

It is a 1st Amendment right for a Church to host the homeless as they see fit. It is AGAINST the 1st Amendment for any government entity to make any laws restricting the practice of, or enforcing the practice of, any religion. As long as the practice does not involve actually doing harm to others, then they can practice as they see fit.

Unfortunately, to the Alt-Right aka MAGA crowd, helping the poor and homeless, except when using them as a political bargaining chip or as a photo-op to make campaign commercials out of it, is da** near viewed as an imprisonable offense. He**, in Florida, it IS an imprisonable offense.

The fact is, there are over 15 MILLION vacant houses and apartments in the United States. However, there are about 650,000 homeless men, women, and children in the United States. That's roughly 28 vacant houses, and apartments, for every single man, woman and child that are homeless.

However, GREED is why these people can't find homes. Landlords deliberately jacking up prices until they price out the people that are in those apartments just so they can jack the prices up more to try to get wealthier renters. Multi-National real estate corporations deliberately buying up entire cities worth of apartment buildings, just to jack the rent up to beyond what MOST people in the cities can afford.

But not just apartment buildings. They've begun deliberately buying single family homes and jacking up the sale price beyond what most people can afford, and renting them at insanely inflated rental prices, or air BnB-ing them, or simply holding onto them, doing neither. Letting the buildings fall into decay and ruin and using them as "tax write-offs".

Then they hire lobby groups to harass Churches and other organizations who try to get shelters built to help the homeless, and to bribe politicians into making horrific laws to brutally punish people for the "crime" of being poor.

And the ENTIRE time, the MAGA crowd cheer and scream their approval for this BS.

This IS, 100%, discrimination, but it's also a much deeper problem. A true disregard, even hatred, for their fellow humans. All for the sake of greed. Cruelty isn't a side-effect of this issue, it's a feature.

Rev. Michelle Love

Burien, as well as many other cities in Washington that lie on the I-5 corridor, now looks like a war zone because people can no longer afford to live in the state. I commend the church for wanting to do something about a problem that Governor Inslee seems to want to ignore. I see these fines as a money grab and nothing more.

Washington state has a history of trying to act as if their laws supersedes federal laws. Just ask the Nisqually Indian Tribe in Dupont, WA. Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Billy Frank, Jr. fought for years trying to uphold the Treaty of Medicine Creek that permitted his people to fish and hunt on their traditional lands. His activism led to the Boldt Decision that confirmed their rights to be able to hunt and fish off of the reservation.

I have actively worked to help the homeless population in the state of Washington and even submitted a proposal to Gov. Inslee that would help homeless veterans be placed into affordable lodging in preexisting structures that have been sitting vacant for years. However, his lack of response at even receiving such a proposal proves that the homeless problem in his state is not an issue he prioritizes.

Rev. Dr. Father JJ

posted 9/6 based on what I'm reading, this blog is a recitation of an issue from Sept 2023. According to news sources, the prior homeless camp was closed as an agreement between Oasis church and the Burien Community Support Coalition (this is back in Feb. 2023) which was when the issue of permitting arose.

so while the issue in Burien, WA is still a problem (there is a homeless encampment in and around the city hall parking lot) it no longer involves the Oasis church mentioned in the blog, is a confusion of funding not being used, NIMBY and general local government inaction.

a story in facebook (for whatever that is worth) is that the city of Burien, in Feb. 2024 offered to expedite the process and waive the application fees for the permit, making it just a rubberstamp procedure but the pastor of the church refused, claimed religious violation of rights and refused to apply for the free permit (which was deemed necessary so that "...the City could be assured that proper health and safety standards were being met."

so NOT a story,

No, kkris chns are NOT being persecuted and in fact the pastor of the Oasis church simply refused the free and expedited offer of the permit AND the encampment was already dissolved (back in Feb, 2024)

stories like this are always best researched first before commenting

James Riggle-Johnson

I think the church is doing the right thing in helping the homeless. Also, we might not know why they haven’t applied for the permit. Maybe it costs too much money that they’d rather spend on the people they’re helping. Even the Country Sheriff doesn’t want to enforce the cities law regarding this matter. That says a lot.

I think the church is doing exactly what Christ would want them to do. They are taking care of their fellow man. They aren’t doing it for rewards or recognition, they are simply doing what is right. I’m not sure they have grounds, but I’ve heard a lot worse arguments for religious freedom that have won. This particular case they are actually doing something good, and not trying to not do something for a select group but to help. Bravo!

Nicholas J Page

Then who will look after the homeless the government won't .I live in England and have seen it first hand The Salvation Army fed them.I volunteered to help feed the homeless for 2 years.

Rev. Dr. Father JJ

Dear moderators, please tell me why my comment was removed, completely? The issue of this blog is a year old, the issue of the permit began in Sept of 2023 and by Feb 2024 the church was no longer allowing the encampment, despite being offered an expedited and fees waived permit

Rebecca L Tice

Well, good afternoon.... Homeless using the church.... city requires a permit...

I do recall a story about Jesus and a tax he was required to pay a temple tax. Remember that?

It was covered in Matthew 17. Jesus thought it was stupid that He had to pay to use His Father's house. Anyway... a coin was produced from the mouth of a fish... and the tax was paid.

So what if the town wants a permit.... get the permit. If the church needs assistance, they can ask God for it... after all, it's God's house.

John 3:16... people.... John 3:16 for ALL the people.

Thanks for reading... Becky

Colleen McAllister

Jesus tells us that we must follow the local laws and the church should do so. They are not being told to let the homeless deal but simply get the legal permits to do so.

Matthew Mastrogiovanni

So, it's harsh enough to be homeless, but they need to kick them in the teeth by criminalizing their condition?

Daniel Todd Kamm

I'm not a fan of many institutions, and many religious ones rank towards the bottom of my list anyway. And homelessness is neither a left nor right issue... it's everyone's issue. Municipalities all over are passing all kinds of silly regulations related to homelessness, most of them ill-informed and akin to neighborhood beautification programs, except for the fines: any solution to homelessness and it's many, many underlying factors just eludes them. Bureaucracies tend to be short sighted and single minded and they seldom find solutions due their many constraints. Religious organizations on the other hand are generally freer to do things, like assist the homeless in ways the government cannot. It doesn't make the overall situation better, but it can alleviate immediate needs, pain and suffering. It also seems to me that the churches, in providing these places for people to come to are providing sanctuary to those people who come to them. And that should be sacred and off-limits regardless of whatever laws are being floated about and /or contested. I side with the churches on this one. Reb tk

Rev. BH

I always thought church grounds were sanctuaries unbeholden to government regulations. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Michael Sciulli

We all god children must help homeless this from minstermike

James Mounts

None of the freedoms guaranteed by our constitution is limitless. For example, we are free to speak, but may not incite to riot, we are free to own firearms but may not hunt without a license, we are free to report news, but may not libel, etc. Every right comes with responsibility. When we established a government to protect our rights, we also gave it certain responsibility. In a nutshell, government meets its responsibility to ensure the safety of those in homeless shelters, by setting standards. They enforce those standards by way of inspecting and permitting. (You apply to open a shelter, the government informs you of the standards, you make sure your shelter meets those standards, you notify the government you are ready, they inspect and if they agree you are ready. they issue the permit). That is the system we established. We agreed to it for our mutual protection. We all abide by it, even churches. In order to comply with the dictates of our religion, we must first "render to Caesar that which is Caesar's."

Lionheart

I’d like to see Joel Osteen, and others of his ilk, open their mansions to the homeless. It won’t happen of course. The same goes for those extremely wealthy Hollywood types who condone our open borders policies instead of helping our own homeless, and vets, first.

🦁❤️

El Gringo

Think of the good Samaritan. He was nor religiously acceptable, but Jesus was the one to point out that it was the Samaritan who acted in a Christian manner as opposed to the religiously righteous who walked past and did nothing.

Reverend Paula Copp

This is an aside, all ministers, but one I hope you’ll take into account. I was very nearly scammed out of $2,000 by someone pretending to ask for marriage services. They sent me a fraudulent “cashier’s check” and I actually tried to put it in the bank… when they told me the check was a fraud I was absolutely flabbergasted! Just remember. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Reverend Paula Copp

I may be mistaken, but I think Jesus said to care for the poor…that being said, would it not follow that christians have the duty of care to the homeless? Would that not mean that on church property, it is the priority of the church to care for people in the way that benefits the most people? The city is wrong and needs to pay for its indifference!

John P Maher

EVERYONE NEEDS A " PERMIT " FOR EVERYTHING """ WHY NOT YOU """ ??? I AM SURE GOD CAN AFFORD IT OR GET THE ANGELS BACK TO WORK,STOP CRYING in YER HOLY WATER FO CHRISTS SAKE !

ServantOfJudgement

The left complains if a church doesn't help the homeless then punishes them when they do.

Satanists don't worship Satan.

Eamonn Byrne Bem RE

It is a fundamental right for the homeless to be assisted by the Church. Beautiful buildings (Churches) lay idle and empty whilst humans sleep on streets and park benches. The house of God belongs to all!