California allows homeowners to display religious symbols |
California Governor Gavin Newsom July 30 signed into law a landmark bill protecting the rights of homeowners who wish to display religious symbols on their doorway to their homes.The bill — SB 652, sponsored by state Sen. Ben Allen — was supported in the California state Legislature by the Hindu American Foundation and the California Jewish Legislative Caucus. Many landlords and homeowners` associations in the state currently prohibit the display of religious items on an entry door. Hindus often place a toran on their doorways, akin to Jewish people, who often place a mezuzah on their doorways. The bill came in response to complaints by renters and property owners in condominium complexes who were restricted from placing the items at the entrances to their homes.Millions of practicing Hindus, consistent with their deeply held religious beliefs, adorn their homes with a toran, an auspicious Hindu symbol that is hung across the door frame to bless the home and welcome guests, said HAF in a press statement. “Hindus also frequently place other sacred symbols or images of deities on their doors,” the organization noted.HAF said it has received several reports in the past of homeowners associations prohibiting the display of Hindu symbols or unreasonably restricting the size of those displays.
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