We've all seen the studies that show that among the world's industrialized nations, the United States is comprised of the most spiritual population. We're heavy into churches, temples, mosques, and other houses of worship. Even if we don't attend, we profess religious beliefs.
Ah, but NIMBYism can touch even the spiritual soul of America. And NIMBY's message, as always -- even to the religious faithful -- is "Go Away."
The New York Times reported April 3, 2005, that in Chuluota, Fla., and other communities, NIMBY-motivated citizens are standing up to a new scourge on the landscape: churches!
''We already have too many churches here,'' Ginger Willis, a 30-year resident of Chuluota, told the Times. ''Now more are coming and they will bring traffic and noise.''
The Times piece by Robert Johnson further reports on this trend:
''The old concept of a church like the one on Walton's Mountain that people walk to once a week and then go home is a thing of the past,'' said Lonnie Groot, a land-use lawyer who represented Chuluota residents who hoped to hinder the new houses of worship. ''Being a successful church today means being a growth-oriented, seven-day-a-week operation.''
New churches in rural and suburban areas are prompting opposition from homeowners in increasing numbers. ''There's a nationwide epidemic of churches being mistreated when they want to expand,'' said Erik Stanley, a lawyer with the nonprofit Liberty Counsel, based in Orlando. His group has fought proposed restrictions on 108 churches since 1999 in cities like Hilliard, Ohio, and Beaver Township, Pa. ''We can usually resolve things successfully without litigating, but it takes a lot of negotiation,'' Mr. Stanley said. ''A lot of people who live in quiet areas perceive a new church as a hassle.''
New churches and the homeowners who contest them are attracted to the same neighborhoods for similar reasons. ''People move to the suburbs and to small towns in search of some personal space at a reasonable price,'' said Ed McMahon, a senior fellow at the Urban Land Institute in Washington. ''Churches are doing the same thing.''
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