Praying too loud?

goldengull3 said:Beyond the standard regulation, we also have the noise control act to consider:

Section 17.

It is prohibited to conduct any work, business, or other activities in a manner that disrupts the peace and quiet of individuals in both indoor and outdoor living spaces.

In residential areas, the use of bells or electroacoustic devices for public announcements is permitted between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

An exception to the second paragraph of this section is made for bells or electroacoustic devices used for religious services on religious holidays.

http://www.govinfo.gov/example-link

That said, what we are dealing with here doesn't actually fall under "public announcements." That type of equipment should really only be utilized when there is a large congregation gathered at or around the church, specifically when the parishioners can't all fit inside the building. And, naturally, even then, everything must remain in strict compliance with the law.

Hmm... looking at this, I'm left wondering if I've completely misread the situation—is someone actually allowed to just stand outside a window at 4:00 AM on a religious holiday and ring the doorbell, or am I missing something here?

Nicole James said:Hmm... looking at this, I'm left wondering if I've completely misread the situation—is someone actually allowed to just stand outside a window at 4:00 AM on a religious holiday and ring the doorbell, or am I missing something here?

Yes, though naturally, they’d have to stay within the decibel limits set by the local ordinances, which are strictly lower during nighttime hours than during the day.

Nicole James said:Hmm... looking at this, I'm left wondering if I've completely misread the situation—is someone actually allowed to just stand outside a window at 4:00 AM on a religious holiday and ring the doorbell, or am I missing something here?

I assume they’re referring to exceptional ringing during religious holidays when services start late at night or very early in the morning. To me, that immediately brings to mind Christmas (Midnight Mass) or Easter, and I don't think there's any need to overreact regarding that specific exception. It's similar to how we wouldn't call the police on New Year's Eve because of the noise at midnight; it's not as if everyone is waiting for the clock to strike twelve or finds it particularly vital.

restlesspanther1 said:Are you absolutely certain about that?

It sounds like you're mixing up the bells that signal the start of the day—usually between 6:00 and 7:00 AM—with church services.
The lady who started this thread claims there's a 6:00 AM service and she can hear it over the speakers.
That’s just not possible. Mass is never held at 6:00 AM on a Sunday or any weekday (unless it's right around Christmas).

Look, I get it. I’d lose my mind too if a bell was clanging right outside my window at 6:00 in the morning. I’d definitely be filing a complaint under the noise control act. It makes zero sense to be that loud so early. If certain people need to roll out of bed at 5:00 AM to start their day, that's on them. I don't see why everyone else's day has to officially start at 6:00.

Jeremy Flores10 said:It sounds like you're mixing up the bells that signal the start of the day—usually between 6:00 and 7:00 AM—with church services.
The lady who started this thread claims there's a 6:00 AM service and she can hear it over the speakers.
That’s just not possible. Mass is never held at 6:00 AM on a Sunday or any weekday (unless it's right around Christmas).

Look, I get it. I’d lose my mind too if a bell was clanging right outside my window at 6:00 in the morning. I’d definitely be filing a complaint under the noise control act. It makes zero sense to be that loud so early. If certain people need to roll out of bed at 5:00 AM to start their day, that's on them. I don't see why everyone else's day has to officially start at 6:00.

It isn't impossible... I just don't understand how you can be so incredibly certain when you claim you aren't even a "religious type" yourself.🤷

And no, I am not confusing the sound of the bells with the Mass.😁

restlesspanther1 said:It isn't impossible... I just don't understand how you can be so incredibly certain when you claim you aren't even a "religious type" yourself.🤷

And no, I am not confusing the sound of the bells with the Mass.😁

A little bit of general knowledge regarding what time religious studies actually starts in elementary school.
I grew up near an inlet, so I know they aren't holding mass at 6 in the morning.

Jeremy Flores10 said:A little bit of general knowledge regarding what time religious studies actually starts in elementary school.
I grew up near an inlet, so I know they aren't holding mass at 6 in the morning.

General culture🤣

I have absolutely no idea what the situation is like in the Inlet, but 6 AM masses definitely happen.
I spent four years at a Catholic high school, and every single nun who taught us was present at every 6 AM mass... verified... firsthand.😉

Jeremy Flores10 said:A little bit of general knowledge regarding what time religious studies actually starts in elementary school.
I grew up near an inlet, so I know they aren't holding mass at 6 in the morning.

There is an early morning Mass. At 6 AM.

velvetrider16 said:There is an early morning Mass. At 6 AM.

Those early services are specifically for Christmas.
They're meant for the general public and laypeople.

Masses held for priests and nuns are a different matter entirely. Those don't involve all the bells ringing. You only need to worry about the ones intended for the congregation.

So, apparently, terrorizing everyone with ringing bells at 7 or 8 on a Sunday morning is perfectly legal ☕
We are truly blessed... 🙏

It really makes me wonder, though—would it be considered legal if a bunch of Satanists decided to throw black metal concerts at 7 in the morning? ☕

Mass can be held at any hour of the day or night. For the general public, a 6:00 AM service is quite rare; however, religious orders—like the Sisters—often hold early services at that time because it fits their schedule. They typically follow the mass with breakfast and their daily duties. Since these services are largely private, you won't usually hear the bells ringing for them.
Advent masses take place during the season of Advent, not at Christmas.
A doorbell at 7:00 or 8:00 AM isn't terror—it’s just life. It only becomes an issue if it violates the noise control act. Whether people like it or not.
Hosting a black metal show or a folk concert isn't quite the same thing as someone ringing a bell for a few minutes. A bell rings for maybe a minute or three, whereas a concert actually lasts a significant amount of time. Legally speaking, though, they likely fall under the same category. Under the noise control act, you can't be making that kind of racket during designated daytime or nighttime rest periods.

There is another factor at play here that falls outside the scope of the Noise Control Act. Unfortunately, many buildings suffer from abysmal sound insulation facing the street. Because those exterior walls aren't load-bearing, they’re often constructed using thin brick. When you combine that with a flimsy facade made of subpar insulating materials and old windows that don't seal properly, it’s no wonder street noise feels like it's passing right through your head.

At my place, the ringing lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes.

It isn’t an issue with the soundproofing, because during the summer, you have your doors and windows wide open (honestly, they could probably adjust the volume levels too, if they felt like being reasonable)

And yes, it really is pure terror

Some of these concerts feel almost ritualistic in nature.

Look, I’m trying to give some actual advice here, but everyone’s just cluttering up the thread with pointless spam... honestly, thanks, but I think we've had enough 🙂

Laura Johnson said:I live in Brooklyn, and every single morning I’m jolted awake by the noise coming from the church right across the street. It isn't just the occasional bell ringing—it's the Mass. Yes, every day here in Brooklyn, I am forced to sit through the entire service. Apparently, the priest decided to mount the speakers on the exterior wall. Today is Sunday, and all morning long, I’ve been subjected to people singing at the top of their lungs and listening to the priest's sermon. Honestly, I feel like this infringes on my religious rights or even my basic rights as a citizen of Washington, D.C. Who can I contact without having to call 911? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Just get yourself a train siren and blast it while they're praying. Do it every time until things change. A neighbor of mine had a similar issue with a kid keeping him up at night, so he bought one of those industrial sirens—it's loud enough to drive anyone crazy.😁