Buddhist monks can hold services at house - for now

don't be surprised if you never get any proof from Ira, outside of his insistence. He sometimes has a tendency to see things not there. He accused me of using race, in my comments on the Ryan Frederick case, even though I never mentioned the race of anyone involved in that case or the case to which it was compared, in my comments. He also has questioned other's veracity, even when they are commenting on their personal experiences, of which he has no knowledge. By the way Ira. I still await your apologies.

Any actual information on this commercial building they've tried to build? I can't seem to find anything on it, except for your comments on the last 3 articles about the monks. If you have pertinent information on this, please share, but show some proof. The articles have only said that the problem deals with zoning laws, traffic complaints, and the "expectations of the residents." Don't accuse people of "ignoring the obvious impact" when this commercial building you keep speaking of has never been mentioned in any of the articles about this situation. I'm not accusing you of lying about them trying to construct said building, maybe they really have tried. But if that was the real issue here, why would it never be mentioned in the articles?

My Dearest City of Virginia Beach!

Getting mighty wimpy with your Communism aren't you? Why not act more powerful like the Soviet Union and bring tanks and missiles to combat the Monks properly.
Why not impose the 20 person limit on All Churches you big whiny chicken.

If the taxes are paid on a residential proeprty, then it is a residential property. No one wants to kick them out. Why do I have to read the article for you? According to the supproters logic I should be able to erect a commercial building next door to anyone in a residential zone. A big metal one to be exact. Why do you all ignore the obvious impact here? Is it because it does not affect you personally?

This is a residence, and therefore taxes are being paid to the City in relationship to the value of the property. Is that right?
So the City wants to kick them out of their residence because they hold religious services?
But yet, the Monks have paid the taxes and if it were a "church" the City wouldn't be collecting taxes!
Something to think about

....Budda and I are both smiling!....Namaste'

I'm so excited to know that the temple is allowed to do the services again. I've just found out there is a Temple's website I'd like to introduce to you guys. If anyone would like to vist please go on : www.buddhistedu.org
I found somethings very intersting there. There are beautiful pictures and articles.
Have fun everyone!
Good luck Momks.

I feel deeply in my heart that none of this would have been an issue if this was a Christian or other "approved" mainstream religion. As far as the neighbors complaining that this doesn't "fit" in with the neighborhood, well bear in mind this is rural Virginia Beach. People live in rural areas because they don't want neighbors and associations up their butt micro-managing every little thing they do. The folks that "disapprove" need to be honest with what their "real" issues about this are. We need some Buddhism around here, it might be a less condemning, elitist, hypercritical place to live.

The good news is that they are Buddhists. If the concept of karma is correct, then they will have to deal w/ their own deception. Why does the paper not report on their attempt to add a commercial building to this location? Folks, you are seeing a new source purposely ignore the facts surrounding this issue to sell papers.

I'll bet the gutless city council would not have caved in if the people were CHRISTIANS. They would have hounded them to the ends of the earth. Now they and the lawyers will say, "well, the city council gave an inch, now we want a mile." The people living there and complaining, watch your neighborhood go to the "monks."

It is and always has been about following existing zoning laws. A Christian church was kicked out of the Countryside Shops recently - remember that article? The city is an equal-opportunity code enforcer. So, keep in mind that it's not about the religion that's being practiced, it's about zoning laws as they apply to houses of worship. It's not OK to violate the law simply because you disagree with it. (At least that's what I taught my kids.)

I woke up to a wonderful story of the peaceful Buddhists fighting for their religious rights against prejudicial neighbors.

In these end-times I suggest we practice love.

I agree with Pog Mahon. When it was first reported about, it was said not only that residents complained about the traffic, but also that it didn't fit with the "expectations of the residents" in the neighborhood. Expectations? What is that supposed to mean? All the while they neglect the fact that there's a christian church maybe 2 miles down the road that certainly gets more traffic than the temple.

I'm glad they're taking the legal route to keep their temple. Best of luck to them.

I stand by my earlier comment that seems to be deleted now as it thought it would be.
Buddhist, Christians, Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses all would have been shut down.
But you put some Muslim's in the same situation and just see what happens...

I'm thinking it's more of an monetary issue.

To pursue this, does the city council need to pay the city attorneys for their additional time, filings, etc?

If this was a cut and dry issue, the monks would be out of luck.

There are other things that we are not privvy to...yet.

...unto you all.

Everything is as it should be and will be. Everything works out in the end.

I am sorry Pog I have to disagree. Christians are persecuted just as the Buddhist Monks seem to be...However if they were Muslim...Now that is another story, and this comment will most likely get deleted just for saying that.

concur.

Freedom of religion means freedom for all religions and faith. If these people were of Christian faith we would not hear a thing about it.

Got evidence or is that just a prejudice?

Freedom of religion means freedom for all religions and faith. If these people were of Christian faith we would not hear a thing about it.