"ANY AND ALL CHRISTIAN MUSIC IS BANNED." If it sounds like something out of communist China, you may be right. But this was a sign posted in a small condo community of Port Charlotte, Florida, a place no one would've mistaken for a totalitarian regime -- until now.
Donna Dunbar, like most her friends, didn't think there was anything controversial about meeting in the common room of Cambridge House for her weekly Bible study. After all, she'd taken out a separate insurance policy for the meetings (even though other groups weren't required to), just as the condo association treasurer's demanded. Even that wasn't enough to satisfy the forces of political correctness.
On February 6, members voted to formally ignore the First Amendment, declaring that "Prayers and other religious services, observations, or meetings of any nature shall not occur at meetings of the Association (Owner meetings, member meetings, committee meetings, or, otherwise) and shall not occur in or upon any of the common elements." In other words, no Bible studies, no religious displays, and no hymns allowed. As if that weren't enough the board also went after the condo's grounds, tearing down an angel fountain and St. Francis Assisi statue that had been donated in a resident's memory.
In shock, Dunbar contacted our friends at First Liberty, who were just as baffled as the rest of us. This is about the most clear-cut case of religious discrimination there is. Even Florida law is specific about the freedom of residents like Donna to assemble and study the Bible. Fox News's Todd Starnes, who broke the story, was even more surprised by the "religious cleansing," since residents were more than welcome to host secular events in the room, like weekly poker games and movie nights.
For now, Donna is forced to hold the Bible study in her tiny apartment, which is less than 1,000 square feet. Hopefully, she won't be crammed in there for long. First Liberty is taking the case up the federal ladder, filing a complaint with Dr. Ben Carson at Housing and Urban Development.
"The Cambridge House Resolution, both in text and in application, is discriminatory and violates the Fair Housing Act because it prohibits Mrs. Dunbar and other Christian residents from accessing common condominium areas for any religious activity, while allowing other residents to use those same facilities for similar non-secular purposes."
"Simply put, this disparate treatment on the basis of religion is unlawful and is not supported by any legitimate, non-discriminatory justification. We therefore request that the Department of Housing and Urban Development investigate this matter and take all appropriate action."
If the Trump administration's track record on the issue is any indication, that's the last sign we'll see on the piano at Cambridge House!
