County Says Guatay Congregation Can Party, Can't Pray

[tannybogus]

SAN DIEGO -- A discrepancy in permits leaves
churchgoers east of San Diego with a place to party instead of a place of worship.
The use permit for a church in Guatay is for a bar, not for religious services.
Churchgoers can meet to drink and listen to music, according to the permit, but they cannot meet to pray, NBC 7/39 reported.
The church, Guatay Christian Fellowship, is located about 35 miles east of San Diego.
It has been operating as a church for 22 years. In 1981, the building was approved for the sale of beer and wine as well as for live entertainment.
When the building was rented out for use as a church, the use permit did not change.
Each different use requires a separate approval with a study to determine the impact on the community, according to the county.
The church's pastor said church members don't have the money to get a different permit.
The lawyer for the building's owner said approval for the church already exists in the current permit.
He said the county is very narrowly interpreting it to allow only for a bar.
The county says it would not be doing its job if it did make sure the law was followed.

If they drink enough, they will pray. :spray:

[Heidi]

1. Here's a link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25893039/

:hi:

[Squatch]

2. If they were Catholic, this wouldn't be a problem.