8 March 2018 | According to Fox News, Cambridge House, a residential condominium in Port Charlotte, Florida, has passed strict rules against various expressions of faith including a weekly Bible study held by an Adventist lay pastor in a common area of the complex.

Donna Dunbar was holding a weekly Bible study for women in the building’s social room. She was served a cease and desist letter banning her from using the space. 

The condo association passed a resolution “regarding religious observances on the common elements.” The resolutions states that “Prayers and other religious services, observations, or meetings of any nature shall not occur at meetings of the Association (owner meetings, member meetings, committee meetings, or, otherwise) and shall not occur in or upon any of the common elements…”

First Liberty Institute, a law firm that specializes in religious liberty cases, claims that the resolution has led to the removal of religious items such as decorative crosses from doors in the building, a decorative angel fountain from a courtyard, and a statue of St. Francis of Assisi. 

First Liberty Institute filed a Fair Housing complaint with Florida’s Department of Housing and Urban Development on Dunbar’s behalf. First Liberty Institute asserts that the condo association passed a “discriminatory resolution” without prior notice, which if proven would constitute a violation of Florida law.

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