Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 4 of 9 · from the scan, no model involved
To the editor: >
1 have noted in your March 11th issue two letters to the editor from citizens pleading, in effect, that the Rappahannock authorities reestablish religious freedom in this county. In conscience, I am compelled to add my plea to theirs even though I am not affiliated with the Pentecostal Church and have not been asked by any of them to write this letter as to defend their position in any manner.
As a School Board member I have searched the School Laws diligently and in vain for any violation by the Massanova Christian Academy of these laws. In particular, I am assured that the Massanova school offers instruction during the same days and hours that our public schools do and is not, therefore, in violation of the compulsory attendance provisions in Title 22 of the Code.
During the meeting of the BZA on February 5, 1982 which I attended, I was greatly disturbed to hear two attorneys state that, under the existing zoning ordinance, a religious group must apply (under section 1011-1) for a permit to erect a house of worship and, except in one zoning district, must then apply for a “special use permit” to worship God as they see fit, be they Christians, Jews, or Moslems*. My review of the Ordinance, as now written, confirms that it says exactly that.
At that meeting on February 5th the BZA involved itself in debating and then in ruling upon the merits of the Pentecostals’ firm, constant, and unwavering claim that their Academy is an inseparable part of their
88.9%