I think the misunderstanding here lies in what is perceived as "constitional"-and what is local zoning ord.The Constitution gives freedom of speech, religion and more. It does NOT, however, say what Greg thinks it says---"...do whatever you like,etc;" Bigamy, for one thing, is outlawed in the country---the Mormons notwithstanding.   

RUILPA to which Sol refers --and I am not familiar with it--is law passed by Congress and different from a Cositutional Right. If I read what Sol wrote correctly it mandates a place must be made for a religious edifice in a given area. In my town there are churches and synagogues---as there are in Ramapo. The problem arises in the desire of having it in such proximity that it is within walking distance.   

It seems that Mr. St Lawrence--to whom Sol refers is trying to broker a happy compromise.   The "within walking distance" matter is not something that is mandated by any law I know of. I refer to my earlier posting wherein I described the--rather unfair--disallowing of an Orthodox Synagogue in my town because it was in a private home and was fought by both Jews and Christians.   The reasoning,and the legal issue involved ,is that it was not zoned for that use and that there was a synagogue 1/4 mile away---albeit not Orthodox

Bill Hahn