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A Phoenix, Ariz., man is in jail for hosting a Bible study group in his home.
Pastor Michael Salman starting serving 60 days on Monday after city officials said his weekly meetings were akin to church services, which violated several building codes.
"Bible studies are not allowed to be conducted in your residence or the barn on your property as these structures do not comply with the construction code for this use," a letter from the city says.
Salman has posted videos to YouTube to discuss his troubles with the law.
In one, he says he was also fined $12,000 and put on three years probation for hosting the Bible studies.
Salman also says he was given warnings about the Bible studies on his property in 2007.
Suzanne Salman posted a video on Monday of her husband arriving at jail, calling it an "emotional" day.
The video shows Salman in his home saying goodbye to his children, who are crying, in a large room with a number of chairs set up facing one end, and religious imagery on the walls.
A note under the video says: "You can see the pain this unjust sentence has inflicted on this family. People should have the right to gather on their private property especially if they do not harm others."
The video ends with Salman wearing a shirt that reads, "I am a criminal" as he arrives at the police station.
"I don't know what to say other than, at the very end, after all is said and done, God will ultimately have glory in this. Despite the fact that we think it's wrong, God will ultimately have the last say," he says. "We believe what they're (city officials) doing is wrong. It's our private property, it's our home."
Off camera, two men can be heard saying, "Love you, pastor."
A Phoenix, Ariz., man is in jail for hosting a Bible study group in his home.
Pastor Michael Salman starting serving 60 days on Monday after city officials said his weekly meetings were akin to church services, which violated several building codes.
"Bible studies are not allowed to be conducted in your residence or the barn on your property as these structures do not comply with the construction code for this use," a letter from the city says.
Salman has posted videos to YouTube to discuss his troubles with the law.
In one, he says he was also fined $12,000 and put on three years probation for hosting the Bible studies.
Salman also says he was given warnings about the Bible studies on his property in 2007.
Suzanne Salman posted a video on Monday of her husband arriving at jail, calling it an "emotional" day.
The video shows Salman in his home saying goodbye to his children, who are crying, in a large room with a number of chairs set up facing one end, and religious imagery on the walls.
A note under the video says: "You can see the pain this unjust sentence has inflicted on this family. People should have the right to gather on their private property especially if they do not harm others."
The video ends with Salman wearing a shirt that reads, "I am a criminal" as he arrives at the police station.
"I don't know what to say other than, at the very end, after all is said and done, God will ultimately have glory in this. Despite the fact that we think it's wrong, God will ultimately have the last say," he says. "We believe what they're (city officials) doing is wrong. It's our private property, it's our home."
Off camera, two men can be heard saying, "Love you, pastor."
