Church Sues To Keep Offering Classes In Its Building

The American Center for Law and Justice announced yesterday that it had filed suit in a Virginia federal district court to defend the rights of the McLean Bible Church to offer Bible study and religious ministry classes in its church building under its current use permit. The Church is one of the largest in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The county claims classes were not included as part of the church’s permit and that if it wants to conduct them it must qualify as a college or university. The problem arose because of a 2001 agreement with Capitol Bible Seminary to administer some aspects of the Church's educational offerings. The suit claims that the actions of Fairfax County violate the Church's rights to religious free exercise under the Constitution and RLUIPA, as well as its freedom of speech and association, and its right to equal protection of the laws.