UPI - Church Fights Zoning Battle on Bible Class

May 23, 2011

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July 18, 2006
United Press International

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 18 (UPI) -- A Virginia megachurch says that Fairfax County crossed the line when officials found that religion classes violated zoning laws.

In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, McLean Bible Church in Tysons Corner says that Bible study is an ordinary church service to its members and that banning the classes violates the First Amendment, the Washington Post reports. Students in the classes can get credit for them towards a Master's degree at the Capital Bible Seminary, and Fairfax officials say that means the church is running a college without permission.

The American Center for Law and Justice, a conservative group, filed the suit on behalf of the church.

"We're not a college or a university and don't have a desire to be a college or university. We're a church," Colby May, a lawyer with the center, said. "These classes are to study the Bible and study the sacred writings and denominational views of the Christian faith."

The county has the support of some neighbors of the church, who say it is too big. The church has 10,000 members and a 2,400-seat auditorium, along with a bookstore and cafeteria.