Let freedom ring! Court rules city of Phoenix can’t stop church bells

April 24, 2010 05:24


ADF attorneys secure favorable ruling prohibiting city from enforcing? unconstitutional noise ordinance silencing religious expression

From Alliance Defense Fund

PHOENIX – Alliance Defense Fund attorneys secured a favorable A whisper is 30 decibels, and a normal conversation is about 60 to 70 decibels. Ice cream trucks are allowed to emit up to 70 decibels at a distance of 50 feet under an exemption to the city’s ordinance, but no exemption existed for church bells. When Painter was given a suspended sentence of 10 days in jail and three years’ probation last June, the judge issued an order restricting chimes at the church to no more than 60 decibels for two minutes on Sundays and specific religious holidays. Now, after the court order, there are no restrictions on when the churches can ring their church bells.

The lawsuit, St. Mark Roman Catholic Parish v. City of Phoenix, was filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. First Christian Church of Phoenix was originally involved in the federal suit, but the court dismissed it from the case in March. The criminal case against Painter, State of Arizona v. Painter, is currently on appeal.

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith.  Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.

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