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1rastaphrog
S.C. pastor serving jail time for noisy church
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A local pastor has been sentenced to jail after neighbors complained about his church's loud services, which violated the city's noise ordinance.
For nearly two years, the Rehoboth United Assemblies Church and neighbors have been embroiled in a dispute over the amount of sound coming from the house of worship.
This week, a Richland County jury found church pastor Johnnie Clark guilty of unlawful sound amplification following a three-day trial where prosecutors laid out their evidence against him.
Full story at http://www.11alive.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/12/pastor-jail-noisy-church-ord...
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A local pastor has been sentenced to jail after neighbors complained about his church's loud services, which violated the city's noise ordinance.
For nearly two years, the Rehoboth United Assemblies Church and neighbors have been embroiled in a dispute over the amount of sound coming from the house of worship.
This week, a Richland County jury found church pastor Johnnie Clark guilty of unlawful sound amplification following a three-day trial where prosecutors laid out their evidence against him.
Full story at http://www.11alive.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/12/pastor-jail-noisy-church-ord...
2paradoxosalpha
"Unlawful sound amplification" sounds like the sort of thing that could get a stiff fine, but jail time? Maybe the pastor and his congregation aren't white enough.
3lilithcat
> 2
Or maybe the fact he ignored the complaints for two years had something to do with it. Note that "police have been called to the scene more than 50 times" and the noise is so loud that it can "vibrate the walls of nearby homes".
If he'd lowered the sound the first time, or even the tenth, he probably would not have faced jail. But the judge likely figured a fine wouldn't be sufficient to make him stop, since the pastor seems to think he has a (literally) God-given right to disturb the neighbors.
Or maybe the fact he ignored the complaints for two years had something to do with it. Note that "police have been called to the scene more than 50 times" and the noise is so loud that it can "vibrate the walls of nearby homes".
If he'd lowered the sound the first time, or even the tenth, he probably would not have faced jail. But the judge likely figured a fine wouldn't be sufficient to make him stop, since the pastor seems to think he has a (literally) God-given right to disturb the neighbors.
4paradoxosalpha
>3 lilithcat:
But there was no mention of earlier court judgments.
I'm playing devil's advocate here, of course. My own worship does not require "sound amplification" and would not be enhanced by it.
But there was no mention of earlier court judgments.
I'm playing devil's advocate here, of course. My own worship does not require "sound amplification" and would not be enhanced by it.
5MarthaJeanne
>4 paradoxosalpha: Yes, there was:
"The church has paid several of their fines for multiple violations of the city noise ordinance, but after the verdict, Clark must now not only pay money, but spend time behind bars."
"In June, a judge granted an injunction that would prohibit the church from using sound-amplifying devices like drums or microphones between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. On multiple occasions, officers were called to the church and said that the worship was too loud. Documents show the church violated that injunction repeatedly."
"The church has paid several of their fines for multiple violations of the city noise ordinance, but after the verdict, Clark must now not only pay money, but spend time behind bars."
"In June, a judge granted an injunction that would prohibit the church from using sound-amplifying devices like drums or microphones between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. On multiple occasions, officers were called to the church and said that the worship was too loud. Documents show the church violated that injunction repeatedly."
6Lyndatrue
>4 paradoxosalpha: I think there was mention enough. The article says:
In June, a judge granted an injunction that would prohibit the church from using sound-amplifying devices like drums or microphones between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. On multiple occasions, officers were called to the church and said that the worship was too loud.
Here's hoping they confiscate the sound system. I know, I know, that's heartless, but black or not, there's no reason that the neighbors need to participate unwillingly. I think it sounds as though they've been told enough times.
My sympathies lie with the neighbors.
In June, a judge granted an injunction that would prohibit the church from using sound-amplifying devices like drums or microphones between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. On multiple occasions, officers were called to the church and said that the worship was too loud.
Here's hoping they confiscate the sound system. I know, I know, that's heartless, but black or not, there's no reason that the neighbors need to participate unwillingly. I think it sounds as though they've been told enough times.
My sympathies lie with the neighbors.
7BruceCoulson
Violating a court-ordered injunction is usually enough reason for people to go to jail, at least in the eyes of the judge who issued the injunction.
8paradoxosalpha
>7 BruceCoulson:
Yup; I missed the earlier judgments in my scan of the article.
Maybe two weeks will get them to take the issue seriously. It seems appropriate under the circumstances.
Yup; I missed the earlier judgments in my scan of the article.
Maybe two weeks will get them to take the issue seriously. It seems appropriate under the circumstances.
9rastaphrog
And one of the interesting things is the comment from one of the church members....
..."It's up to the neighbors to say if its irritating to them or a nuisance to them," he said. "Well, you can get a weed eater and go outside and if someone complains nothing will be done, but when it comes to worshiping God its now a problem."
You'd think if the neighbors have been calling the police on them for almost two years that they'd get a clue. And his comparison to using a weed whacker is a joke. Not many people are outside doing lawn work at 8 o'clock at night, and even if they are, I've never known one that's loud enough to rattle the walls of nearby houses.
..."It's up to the neighbors to say if its irritating to them or a nuisance to them," he said. "Well, you can get a weed eater and go outside and if someone complains nothing will be done, but when it comes to worshiping God its now a problem."
You'd think if the neighbors have been calling the police on them for almost two years that they'd get a clue. And his comparison to using a weed whacker is a joke. Not many people are outside doing lawn work at 8 o'clock at night, and even if they are, I've never known one that's loud enough to rattle the walls of nearby houses.
10Sandydog1
See Daddy, atheists have soul too. If it the church goers were as good as this, I wouldn't mind a bit of Sunday morning wake up music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M63_6zxVo7c
