2008 California Election Forum

In past issues of Reality Alert, we covered and asked prayer for the Elsinore Christian Center.

The church had been denied permits by the city and the city refused to issue a land use permit that would allow the church to purchase a commercial building for a new sanctuary.

All across America, churches spend hundreds of thousands of dollars (sometimes over $1 million, like Rolling Hills Covenant Church) to government agencies for expansion or building approvals.

This is money that should go to ministry, not city obstacles to allowing a new church or church growth.

Because so many churches have been discriminated against and denied their 1st Amendment rights, Congress unanimously passed RLUIPA (The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act) in 2000.

Attorney Bob Tyler and the Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed suit under RLUIPA in behalf of the Elsinore Church.

The case took seven years and amazingly-by God's grace-the liberal court ruled in favor of the church. The city then settled with the church, awarding it $1,205,000 in damages.

This is exciting and the body of Christ owes Bob Tyler and his group thanks for their efforts to defend the church and set a precedent that will impact the church nationwide as cities discover they can't get away with denying churches their constitutional rights.

We should also thank the church for defending itself-and all American churches-against unconstitutional city rulings. Many churches have blindly accepted city decisions and refused to stand up for their rights, hurting other churches in the process.

I encourage you to make a donation to Advocates for Faith and Freedom to help them in their next battle.

Click here to donate, or click here to find out more about this important organization.