End Times

While the opening of the temple may resolve the Tien Tao Association's differences with its neighbors in Kingsbridge Park, attorney David Furlow predicts the larger issue of deed restrictions conflicting with the constitutional rights of homeowners will never be so easily resolved. More such disputes are likely, he says, given the stricter enforcement of neighborhood covenants following the defeat of Houston's proposed comprehensive zoning ordinance in 1993.

"I'm not opposed to deed restrictions that are reasonable," says Furlow. "But the greatest threat to civil liberties is this hall monitor mentality, where people insist on minding their neighbor's business.