The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
The Buddhist monks who were denied a permit to hold services at their home in Pungo have filed a federal lawsuit. The Buddhist Education Center of America, Inc., claims the city of Virginia Beach violated its religious rights and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
The monks had to stop holding Sunday services at their home on West Neck Road on Aug. 26, after the City Council in an 8-2 vote denied them a two-year permit extension.
The monks’ use of their house as a temple had been an issue in Pungo. Some neighbors complained that the services drew too much traffic and was inappropriate for a primarily residential area.
The monks also want the court to allow them to continue worship services while the case goes through the judicial system, said John Stepanovich, a Virginia Beach lawyer who is representing the Buddhists.
“The reality is these gatherings on Sunday, they don’t get any more people than a Sunday afternoon football party,” Stepanovich said.
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monks vs va. beach
As a longtime native of HR now living in NYC, I know that this "land use" issue is not the first, nor will it likely be the last. Since at least the '70s, the Va. Beach City Council has taken, used and abused the property of this beautiful city. There's a reason that one of the local djs has consistently dedicated Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" to the Va Beach City Council for decades. The phrase "private property" has never had any significance to these people. How many landowners lost the property that had been in their family for generations because of the City Council's greed? There used to be so much beautiful farmland and now it's all paved parking lots. And Bill O'Reilly had the audacity last year to call Va Beach a "sanctuary city"? It's not even a sanctuary for its own residents, and hasn't been for a long time. Sanctuary, indeed.
“The reality is these
“The reality is these gatherings on Sunday, they don’t get any more people than a Sunday afternoon football party,” Stepanovich said.
I find that to be a true statement. There are two churches around my house, one around the corner and the other up the street from my house. Both of their lots are usually empty on Sunday, but boy when my next-door neighbor throws some kind of party, you can hardly move on my block...
Let the monks worship as they want. No one is suffering any real loss or damage as a result of their worship...
Need help? I'll help you.
I have a big problem with traffic, noise and parking with a church by my home. I get 3,000+ cars every weekend. Yet city council approved an expansion of the church in recent months. So if you need help, contact me and I'll be happy to hand you all the facts surrounding the church by my house. If they can trash my neighborhood, those Pungo folks deserve the same as my neighbors and I received... What is good for one community should be good for all.
And I’ll even go to court to speak on the issue. Good luck!
monks v city
Maybe if the City did not want them in Pungo that's fine - Why cant they continue the status quo of having a small worship services while helping them find another location? That would have been fair for all concern.
It's political and prejudicial. The City bends their zoning laws like Uri Geller's spoon! It's been that way too long.
I think some change will do us good!
Religion is Where You Find It, Not Where the City Says It Is
Brick and mortar storefronts, wood frame buildings, one's own back yard or waiting for a wave at the First Street Recreation and Surf Park are all temples, churches, synagogues and other verified places of worship regardless of the narrow-minded attitudes of individuals not having a clue. Buddhists live, worship, and educate in the same single location, much as we all live, worship and educate in our own little sections of our common planet. The home is large, parking is available and their spirit of common good for all people is true and worthy of respect and support by all, not just the interested few. Neighbors are always troublesome, maybe that is why the creator created fences. The fences of religious intolerance are too easily constructed but are darned difficult to tear down. This City is something to marvel at, and it appears that the religion of preference is preached at the alter of the almighty dollar by those without a clue. Sit quiet with your thoughts and view the world around you as something real special. Buddists do.
I too am a Christian and am shocked at some of these responses
I'm wondering about all of the concern over whether it's safe or not to have that many people. I just think of all of the stupid things lots of people are doing in houses across Hampton Roads -- drunken parties, for example, and how many people drive away from these parties, etc. Do you have the same amount of concern for safety in those situations?
If you can have a big party or cookout, you should be able to have people come together for religious meetings.
Wow sometimes you feel like a nut...
and sometimes you blog? Where did all these zealots come from? Im very surprised of how much ignorance is shown by a lot of these comments. Remember this is AMERICA. Freedom of religion is way up there on important things to do while in the USA. Hellfire and brimstone? False religion? Cant speak english? How embarrassing for the citizens of Hampton Roads. Im glad I can call myself an extended visitor. You people arent arguing for zoning and laws... your trying to scare, intimidate and persecute people who believe different then you. How narrow minded and archaic. Glad to be moving on from this place someday... people here just dont get it. Everyone try to remember that golden rule, buddhist, monks, christians and the like... Do unto others as youd have done onto you. Might go a long way in this area. How disappointing it was to read your comments and the City persecuting people for silly things...
I hope they win, and I'm a devout Christian!
This would probably not happen if they were just a "house church" of Christians. A am reminded of history... when the Romans tried to exterminate Christians for meeting as house churches, until they finally ended up having church in underground cemeteries. So as a Christian, while I do not beleive in Buddha, we really ought to remember what we long ago went through to worship and pull the damned log out of our own eye!!!
As they should
And Mr. Spitz, since no true Christian would promote the hatred that you do, you call yourself a Man of God yet you have a Web Site that likes to those who Murder Innocent People. I suppose you think Eric Rudolph is a true Hero and Christian. A man who killed people at the Olympics People who had nothing to do with Abortion. As Christians were are taught that there is only one who can judge and how dare you place yourself on the Same Level as Jesus by passing judgment on these innocent people and their attorney. I feel sorry for you and you need to step back and look in the mirror and think about the day Judgment is passed on you.
Once again the Pilot prints
Once again the Pilot prints an article with no meat. The original story had no facts and no real information other than they were being made to stop. I don't have a problem with any religious group holding meetings in a home. I'd think that would be their right, up to the point they started to endanger people. Commercial buildings conform to safety codes set in CFR. Things like the doors open out so if everyone is trying to get out they don't just pile up against the door. fail safe exit signs, things a normal homes are not required to have. At that point it isn't a freedom of religion issue any more than. I have no idea how many people were in the house but that could be the major problem. I'm just saying that if it isn't safe for the attendees then it's wrong no matter circus or church. I'm sure the courts will determine if their rights are being violated or if they need to be forced into a proper venue.