From the philosophical standpoint, I agree that the Church makes a mistake when it concedes the County’s right to even create the zoning regulation in question.

From a legal standpoint, though, knowing Virginia law and more importantly the judges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia where this case was filed, this argument would be a loser.

Conceding the county’s right is the first problem. I posted yesterday at The Unrepentant Individual about the “Poker Players Alliance”. They’re fighting Congress’ recent battle to ban internet poker.

I’m all for fighting Congress. But the PPA is suggesting that Poker shouldn’t be banned because it’s a “skill game” (which it is, of course), rather than because we are adults and deserve freedom. As if it’s just fine that Congress can ban online blackjack, but somehow poker is more special and should be allowed.

I don’t want FairFax county to claim that this church can’t offer these classes. But the reason for that is that it is the Church’s property, not the county’s. Not that they should get some freedom of religion exemption.