Posted on 05/06/2020 6:33:10 PM PDT by marshmallow
There is 'no pandemic exception to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights,' the federal government's Statement of Interest argued.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is supporting the case of Lighthouse Fellowship, a Protestant community in Chincoteague, Virginia, that was served a summons for holding worship services amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a Statement of Interest filed on Sunday, the DOJ explained that governments are in a position to take necessary and temporary measures to meet genuine emergencies. However, “there is no pandemic exception to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights.”
On Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, Lighthouse Fellowship had conducted a worship service with a congregation of 16 people practicing so-called social distancing in a facility that seats more than 200.
As reported by Liberty Counsel, which represents Lighthouse Fellowship in court, “a local police officer entered the church. He gave no introduction and did not ask for the pastor. He abruptly said they could not have more than 10 people spaced six feet apart.”
After the service, “two police officers entered the church in full mask and gloves and asked to speak with the pastor. They issued Pastor Wilson a summons and informed him that if he had service on Easter, and if more than ten people attended, everyone would receive the same summons.”
The DOJ compared the restrictions imposed on religious gatherings by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, to those on many businesses.
(Excerpt) Read more at lifesitenews.com ...
Go harass the mosques.
Can we make this apply to the “right of the people peaceably to assemble” as well?
Too little, too late.
If no singing in church is a casualty of corona, I’m fine with that.
Great news!
Men can and do pray everywhere, mosque, work, wherever they have to be. MOST women don't work so they pray at home.
True story.
I went to a church and the organist, Leonard, did the singing. There was a "home" nearby where the semi-crazies lived but they wanted to attend Mass. So they did.
Well, one of those women had a HORRIBLE voice and it was painful to listen to her. And, she was loud.
I complained to Leonard.
His reply: God gave her that voice so He should have to listen to it! Lol.
That gave me a whole new meaning to her horrible voice.
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