The US Supreme Court is taking on another “religious freedom” case that if was brought by a secular person they wouldn’t accept it.
Alliance Defending Freedom is calling this an attempt by a city to keep a religious person from praying in their own home.
“For Grand, the idea of hosting a minyan at his home was inspired by convenience. He has no synagogue nearby, he said, and doesn’t drive on the Sabbath.
City officials say they believed Grand had a larger gathering in mind. When Grand initially requested a permit, he noted that he had proposed 21 chairs. In his invitation, he had named the gathering: The Shomayah Tefilah Beis Hakeneset. And he invited people to “spread the word” and bring others to his home for prayer, according to court papers.”
The little-noticed Supreme Court case that could impact where people pray
The city hasn’t denied a permit yet and this wasn’t about one person praying in their home. This involved a large gathering on a regular basis. A neighbor complained and the city enforced the zoning rules requiring a permit - like for a block party or major local event.
There was a similar issue when a Buddhist Temple wanted to build a new temple in a primarily residential area of Toledo on land a member donated. They went through the zoning process and even after it was approved the neighbors complained.
Some people don’t want a church or minyan in their neighborhood because of the traffic and noise.
Grand’s case was accepted by the US Supreme Court even though he has not been denied a permit yet. But this what we expect with the Robert’s court these days - pulling legal justifications out of their asses to privilege the religious.
