Religion According to Code

Traditionally open to people of other lands and cultures, the United States has accepted the religions of newcomers as well. But sometimes in the neighborhood the blend is difficult.

For several years, some residents in Westminster have complained about houses that double as Buddhist temples, places of worship for the large number of Vietnamese immigrants who have settled in Orange County. Groups of the faithful, driving into quiet neighborhoods to attend Buddhist services at these makeshift temples, have brought noise and traffic problems with them. City officials have been lenient when only a handful of congregants come to services and no major troubles ensue. But they have taken proper action to enforce zoning codes in situations where complaints mounted.

Monks at some temples said that because many families arrived as impoverished refugees from Vietnam, where some had been persecuted because of their religion, they lacked money to build large traditional temples here. So the monks’ houses did double duty, despite requirements that houses of worship have conditional-use permits--at a minimum.

Some monks said that they were unaware of the requirements of zoning codes when they first arrived in California. But one frankly acknowledged that he tested the city to see how much he could get away with in operating his temple. When throngs jammed the building for the Tet festival, the city cracked down.

The church officials, like others, need to live by the laws of their new country, and where compliance is offered, neighbors should be accommodating. Local ordinances governing houses of worship do not have to be overly burdensome, but they should be heeded.