Buddhist monks claim rights violated, sue Virginia 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 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...

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!

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!

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'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.

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...

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!!!

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 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.

Yeshua helped all people, regardless of their beliefs. Where did you study theology? If you were really a Christian, you wouldn't be so judgemental of others. Is that not one of Christianity's tenets? Scripture teaches that each man shall be judged as to his own faith. Did you, as a Christian minister, not learn this? In my theology classes, all these things were taught. I am a Christian. I speak to others of my faith when the time is correct to do so. That, I feel, is only when asked or as in this case, to help in my comments on a subject. In this nation, 1 has the right to freely practice whatever faith or religion they choose. We don't have to agree with their beliefs yet we don't have the right to prevent them from practicing their religion or beliefs.

I can't tell which posts are sarcasm and which are serious. The thought such people exist outside of cable TV makes me sick.

Go Monks!!! I hope you win.

It’s heartening to see that of the comments so far, only a handful consist of the thinly veiled xenophobia, religious bigotry, and/or racism that usually appears over an issue like this. Glad to know most are responding with tolerance, intelligence, and compassion. As for the rest, remember that God is watching, and She knows what's in your heart.

People with your "holier than thou" attitude make me sad. It's your way or no way. Who says their "truth" isn't the truth? Have you studied Buddism at all to know what they believe, what they care about? Open your mind - free your mind. No one is telling YOU that what you believe is wrong. Your attitude is wrong for sure!

First of all, I am a normal (what is normal?) citizen of this country. I am a born-again Christian. I do not hate these people mentioned in this article. They apparently have not received the "truth". The truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins that we may have eternal life. We do not "kill" "in the name of god". I really do not care what is done with this building-that is up to the City of Va. Beach. God gives all of us the choice of who we will serve. I apologize if I've offended anyone. May God have mercy on all of us and bless and protect the USA.

Hope the Beach builds them a temple for free.

The City of Virginia Beach broke the law and now should be held accountable. Look up the tenets of the act they are referring to.

How is it that some seem so sure these monks don't speak English? It's never best to assume anything. The 'Founding Fathers' were mostly Deist. The monks are participating in the justice system properly.

What ignorance in some of these postings! Let them learn in peace. ONLY the in Virginia Beach would this be a bad thing! Who are they hurting? Not one single soul.

You're what people call a Christian Terrorist, because you're as crazy and intolerant as the Islamic extremists. May god have mercy on YOUR soul. I hope the monks win, because this country is going down the toilet because of the far right. People are making decisions just by spouting out "God told me to do so" and not actually using what God gave you...you know that thing between your ears...and thinking...hmmm does this make sense.

time to use the system that was used against you. it just shows the peacefulness of this people...they are not protesting and acting out in a violent manner. i have family that lives in this area of virginia beach and they love the diversity that the Buddhists bring to the area.

If any of you actually cared about the monks plight you would know the services are not the issue. They are trying to set roots for a future commercial zoning. They already tried to put a commercial building on that property. I guess it is easier jsut to point fingers than to understand a situation. Citizens of VB should be enraged they have to fork out money for the defense. Everyone of you would change your tune if someone attempted to do this in your neighborhood. It's an abuse of the system.

I hope they win their case and are left to worship in peace. I pity the poor pseudo-Christians who would deny these monks the use of their home and their right to worship. I hope Virginia Beach pays through the nose for this and gets even more coverage of their heavy-handedness toward those who are different.

Anne, your god would be angry at the dark sentiments you posted, if he existed.

How do you know God didn't put people of different faiths and beliefs on this Earth to teach us acceptance, tolerance, and compassion? You've exhibited none of those characteristics just in your posts here today. How do we know the Meaning of Life isn't those things...acceptance, tolerance, and compassion? Do you know for sure? God's beauty lies in all of us - it's up to us how we give that beauty to the world.

I guess some people feel that freedom of religion only applies to the religion they believe in. If they are having a small gathering in Pungo I fail to see how it could inconvenience anyone much more than the large christian church's found in most neighborhoods.

Buddhists worship by meditating on the teachings of Buddha, much as Christian monks meditate on the teachings of Jesus......with the difference that Buddhist monks and practicing Buddhists don't believe Buddha is GOD.

Leave them be!

It's the atheists that are destroying the constitution of our country!

Buddhism is a philosophy. Buddha isn't a god. He was a prophet. He taught ways of coming closer to God.

The Christian extremists are just as bad as the Islamic extremists. Yes, we will go to hell in a handbasket or otherwise, and whatever faith you choose to believe in, your God or higher power, will be the judge.

...is your heaven more special than everyone elses'?...our country was founded on the belief of ONE GOD!...nowhere is the Devine Trinity mentioned. I believe in GOD...but am not a Christian...may I get into YOUR Heaven? or should I apply to the one where all GOOD people go???..please advise.