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Church Sues The City Of Phoenix Over Church Bell Restrictions
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by Yuliya Talmazan | September 10, 2009 at 11:36 am
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The city of Phoenix, Arizona is being sued by clergy of Christ the King Church for imposing church bell restrictions. In accordance with a law in Phoenix, church bells legally cannot be rung for longer than two minutes, louder than 60 decibels or on any days other than Sundays and religious holidays. The city administration says that the noise reduction efforts are to blame. However, church representatives say ice cream trucks emit sounds at higher decibel levels than church bells do. Previously, church bells rang every hour from 8 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week. Christ the King Church’s clergy had to stop ringing the church bells completely to avoid penalty. The church is now suing in argument that their First Amendment right to practice religion freely was violated.
Three churches say Phoenix is unconstitutionally prohibiting them from ringing their bells. A Catholic bishop was convicted and sentenced to 3 years probation and 10 days in jail - suspended - for violating a noise ordinance by ringing the carillon, according to the federal complaint. Christ the King Church says it has stopped ringing its bells "for fear of future prosecution."
"The bells represent a means of religious worship for the churches," Stanley said. "They show the community the church is there, and for the Catholic churches they are also a reminder to pray."
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Rev. Ricahrd Summers (not verified)at 18:22 on November 2nd, 2009
While I think that Church Bells are really a call to Worship and should be able to ring out in a free country. I think it is sad that in the United States that once had Church bell ring out from coast to coast have been restricted of there use for the past 40 years because someone did not what to hear them. Just in the same way a student can't take a Bible to a public school to read personally in their free time, but an Islamic student can bring their Holy Book and materials to share with others. Islamic students are alllow to pray in public places but Jews and Chrsitians students are not allowed. As far as the Church bells being a too loud or starting to early in the morning hour or too late in the evening hours. Sure their should be some restrictions but to ban Church bells in the Cities of America tells you that your rights are being taken away more and more in this country. All over Europe Church bell ring all the time and are beloved and honored for their beauty.