Despite churches being closed across China, the communist regime is removing crosses elevated higher than the communist flag from church buildings.
Despite churches being closed across China, the communist regime is removing crosses elevated higher than the communist flag from church buildings.
As public gatherings are brought to a halt, many people are wondering what this means for religious liberty and church gatherings. ADF attorney Kristin Waggoner ensures believers that First Amendment rights cannot be suspended permanently. This is why the threat from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to permanently close some churches even after the crisis is manifestly absurd.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a ban on drive-in church services noting that banning drive-in services is likely a violation of religious liberty.
Attorney General Bill Barr said in a statement over the weekend that authorities singling out religious groups to enforce social distancing rules will face action for discrimination.
A Mississippi church is filing a suit against the city of Greenville after police officers were instructed to ticket church congregants attending a drive-in church service.
In a webinar with ADF attorney Ryan Tucker, Tucker explained that courts would likely uphold bans on church gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Some claim that governmental restrictions on worship services are an infringement of religious liberty and a violation of the separation of church and state. Others disagree, noting that such prohibitions do not single out religious gatherings but include all events at which people could become infected with coronavirus. Still, others claim that church services should be classified as “essential” functions and allowed to continue under social distancing guidelines.
Bethel Open Bible Church locked its doors amid the coronavirus pandemic, barring a smaller church planning on hosting a Palm Sunday service in the Bethel Open Bible Church sanctuary from gathering. The smaller church, Cross Culture Christian Center, is now taking legal action.
I believe in religious freedom, and I’m committed to continuing to defy the policies of this administration that violate my faith.
But the quarantine restrictions are not among them.
New York City's Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested this weekend that churches could be closed “permanently” if they refuse to meet CDC COVID-19 recommendations.
