Housing Authority Halts Worship Services At Apartments

[Maureen Gerrish]

Housing authority halts worship services at apartmentsBy: Ed ScannellHIGH POINT -- The High Point Housing Authority has halted religious services in common areas at a public housing complex, saying the services violated federal regulations.Many people living at Elm Towers said the services provided them their only opportunity to worship.Longtime renters said worship services and Bible studies had been held there for years, but on order of the housing authority, those services are no more."To me it's unconstitutional, stepping on our rights," said Howard Embler, a resident. "As I understand it's more or less put down by HUD that no religious services can be held in the building."Earlier in the week the housing authority distributed to renters copies of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rules that say organizations receiving funding from HUD are prohibited from engaging in "inherently religious activities."Embler hoped people there would speak out about their disappointment."Maybe people ought to get a petition up," Embler said.Resident Andrew Claypool said several denominations have held services there."It was different denominations come in here," said Claypool. "It wasn't just only one."But the housing authority reportedly only learned of the services last month after getting complaints from some renters.Many there said they don't know who would have lodged complaints, that the services were well attended."It's a good thing they had it in the community room," said Robert Jackson, a resident. "That place would be full on Sunday."HUD subsidizes Elm Towers, which is home to about 100 people, most of them seniors, some of them disabled."It's real terrible because there's people that live here that cannot get out to go to church and they can go down there," said Agnes Myers, a resident.Many people who live here said the HUD rules are taking away an important spiritual lifeline."They made a mistake when they pulled God out of here," said Claypool. "People in here need it."Renters said they've been told they can still practice their faith in the privacy of their apartments.Housing authority spokeswoman Rachael Matthews told News 14 Carolina that because HUD subsidizes the apartments the housing authority has no choice but to abide by the federal agency's rules and regulations.Link at: http://news14.com/content/local_news/triad/613246/housing-authority-halts-worship-services-at-apartments/?ap=1&Flash

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Further proof that if you don’t depend on the government you are truly free to do what you please, including holding a warship service. Everything from the government comes with stipulations!

When will people learn that GOVERNMENT with all its intrusions is the devil in disguise?