Church is allowed to ring bells, despite complaints

[truthpusher]

http://www.skagitvalleyherald.com/articles/2005/01/28/religion/religion01.txt

RELIGION AT A GLANCE
By Staff and wire reports

Church is allowed to ring bells, despite complaints

FRIEDENS, Pa. — Friedens Lutheran Church is free to ring its bells to beckon people to pray for the end of a local labor dispute, a district justice ruled. Two years ago, the church began bell-ringing to rally members to pray for an end to a dispute between teachers and the Somerset Area School District. The teachers have been working without a contract since January 2000.

S. Lynn Brace, a church neighbor, filed a criminal complaint of harassment against Lutheran pastor Edward DeVore, saying the bells constantly interrupt daily life. A district justice acquitted DeVore, finding no evidence of intent to harass.

‘‘This intrusion into my life needs to stop,'' Brace said in a court document reported by The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown. ‘‘I cannot unplug the bell and I cannot report it to the ‘Do Not Call List.' ''

The bell tolls 14 times each night around 9 p.m. if volunteers are available, though Brace said the bells sometimes ring as many as 75 times.

http://www.skagitvalleyherald.com/articles/2005/01/28/religion/religion01.txt

[Beetwasher]

1. Wow, Sorry, But That Would Definitely Bug The Livin' Shit Out Of Me Too

That really blows. 75 friggin' times!!!!! WTF??? Have they no conscience in this church???? No respect for their neighbors??? That's just plain rude and demented. I don't care what the reason is for doing it.

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. I Wonder If This Community Would Let A Muezzin Call for Prayer Over

Loudspeaker 5 times a day?

[truthpusher]

3. That would be awesome...it would drive the living shit out of every...

...republican in town :bounce:

[LiberalFighter]

4. They would be the only ones bugged by the bell ringing for sure.