Phoenix, USA - On July 11, 2012, Fox and Friends asked whether the punishment for a Pastor who was arrested for holding a Bible study in his home fit the crime. Response has been vast and the story of Michael Salman, who faces a jail sentence of 60 days following a Phoenix, Arizona arrest for hosting the home Bible group, has rampantly spread through Facebook and Twitter.
According to Fox News on Facebook, the story has been shared over 8,000 times and comments are intense. Judging by the response to the story, the majority is outraged and several referred to the actions of Phoenix Police Officers as insane. Others feel it is a deliberate attack on religious freedom.
Video: Fox and Friends interview regarding Pastor Michael Salman who was jailed for hosting a home Bible study
Salman’s wife, Suzanne, spoke to Fox News Insider on Wednesday morning and stated, “It defies logic, honestly. I don’t understand … that something so small got so large like this. People do it all over the United States all the time.”
City officials state that Salman violated city code ordinances when he allowed approximately 20 people to enter his home to study the Bible. In addition to a 60-day jail sentence, Salman received a fine of $12,180 and three years probation. The city states that his Bible study was the equivalent of a church that they weren’t zoned for.
A statement released by Vicki Hill, Prosecutor for Phoenix City states, “It came down to zoning and proper permitting. Anytime you are holding a gathering of people continuously as he does, we have concerns about people being able to exit the facility properly in case there is a fire, and that’s really all this comes down to.”
Others disagree.
Multiple comments on Facebook point out that many people have parties with more than 20 people in attendance. They also state that home Bible studies are protected under the First Amendment right to freedom of assembly.
What do you think about Pastor Salman’s plight? Do you agree with the city of Phoenix or do you think Salman was unfairly targeted for his faith.
Check out the video from Fox and Friends where they discuss Michael Salman and the case with his wife.