Written by Don Byrd
The Universal Church of Love and Music takes its case to a jury this week. Its 147-acre property was the site of numerous outdoor concerts and funk festivals to the dismay of Fayette County officials who argued the use violates zoning regulations and was a haven for drug use. The church, they contend, does not reflect sincerely held religious beliefs, but rather was a fraudulent attempt to circumvent the zoning statutes. (You may remember the controversy over the religion of the Church of Love and Music featured in a segment on the Daily Show.)
In 2009, following a religious liberty lawsuit filing, a settlement allowed some concerts to continue provided illicit drug use was prohibited.
A few months later, the County raided the site during a “funk fest” using a search warrant that was ultimately ruled unconstitutionally broad. Now, the church is suing over that raid as a violation of religious liberty and unlawful search and seizure. The trial started this week, and jurors will have to decide, first, whether the festival was a reflection of sincerely held religious belief and the subject of religious bias and retaliation.
The trial is scheduled to last through the week.
