Pastor, Wife Allegedly Told to End Bible Studies in Apartment—as It’s a ‘Business’—or Face Eviction
A semi-retired Lutheran pastor and his wife allegedly have been ordered by their residential complex to stop holding Bible studies in their private apartment — or face eviction.
Why? Apparently the apartment complex defines “Bible study” as a “business” — and one that’s prohibited from taking place in private residential units. . .
The Evergreens at Smith Run, a luxury apartment community designed for people 55 and better. For info https://t.co/PF35PcB7c4 https://t.co/MmQoxGllGW for more #55plus #activeadultliving. #retirementcommunities #retirement pic.twitter.com/9iYQbjJdrO
— ActiveAdultLiving.com (@55plusAAL) March 14, 2018
Since it's #SeniorCitizensDay let us introduce you to our newest victim of anti-religious hostility: Ken Hauge. Evicting senior citizens from their home for leading a Bible study is not only outrageous, it's illegal. https://t.co/yeGGseTQIz pic.twitter.com/8gAxrjL8GC
— First Liberty (@1stLiberty) August 22, 2018
According to First Liberty, the Hauges moved into the Evergreens in January 2017. Ken Hauge is a retired Lutheran minister who volunteers part-time pastoring at a small church in a nearby shopping center. Some residents in the Evergreens asked Hauge to lead a Bible study in the complex, and he agreed and applied to the complex manager to reserve the community room for the study.
But the law firm said management refused to let the gathering be called a “Bible study,” instead requiring it be named a “book review.”
A scheduling miscommunication resulted in the reservation getting canceled, and a resident volunteered to host the Bible studies in her apartment for the remainder of 2017. But the complex continued to insist that posted notices call the gathering a “book review.” (Read more from “Pastor, Wife Allegedly Told to End Bible Studies in Apartment—as It’s a ‘Business’—or Face Eviction” HERE)
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