Maine Ban On Religious Gatherings Over 10 Persons Is Upheld

Religion Clause ^ | 5/12/20 | Howard Friedman

[marshmallow]

In Calvary Chapel of Bangor v. Mills, (D ME, May 9, 2020), a Maine federal district court refused to issue a temporary restraining order against Maine Governor Janet Mills' COVID-19 order which prohibits religious gatherings of more than ten people.

The court rejected plaintiff's free exercise, Establishment Clause and free speech challenges to the Order.

[Kickass Conservative]

Anyone who looks to the Courts to defend their God Given Rights as outlined in our Federal Constitution is in for a rude awakening.

[Lurkinanloomin]

This judge definitely doesn’t know the Constitution.
Sounds like he needs some continuing education.

[Cobra64]

No common sense among these jerks. Suppose 11 people want to congregate, spread out over the area of a football field... or outer space!

[RinaseaofDs]

It’s a stall, and the judge obviously doesn’t care about being reversed.

[NobleFree]

order which prohibits religious gatherings of more than ten people.

The order did not single out religious gatherings - to phrase it as the article does is perilously close to a lie. Christians ought not dance on the borderline of sin for rhetorical effect.

[NoLibZone]

May God pour his wrath out on this nation.

[unixfox]

These assholes will rue the day.

[Gay State Conservative]

A Federal judge in Boston ordered just last week that Massachusetts gun shops be allowed to open.As important as the 2nd Amendment is the 1st Amendment is even more important.These churches should appeal this decision.

[SkyDancer]

"Come unto me all ye of faith and rejoice for I am with you...at your local Safeway where it doesn't seem to matter that there are 200 or more gathered."

Covid Chapter 19 Verses 1-3

[metmom]

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

[MortMan]

Does the rule (NOT law) specifically distinguish between constitutionally protected gatherings and others, like grocery stores?

Either way, the judge is an obstacle to be removed.

[NobleFree]

The First Amendment restricts Congress not the states.

[DannyTN]

"May God pour his wrath out on this nation."

Oh thanks a lot! We're in a pandemic, what else do you want?

[MortMan]

You forget incorporation.

[backwoods-engineer]

The beatings will continue until they get all the churches shut down, permanently.

[backwoods-engineer]

Oh, I agree. This nation deserves an asteroid-sized smackdown from the Most High.

[NobleFree]

Incorporation was determined by the Supreme Court, which has also ruled - Justice Scalia writing for themajority - that “if prohibiting the exercise of religion ... is ... merely the incidental effect of a generally applicable and otherwise valid provision, the First Amendment has not been offended.” (Employment Div. v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872 (1990)).

[pierrem15]

You can bet anything the result would have been different if a mosque had sued.

Or are they just ignoring the Somalis as usual in Maine?

[NobleFree]

Does the rule (NOT law) specifically distinguish between constitutionally protected gatherings and others

No, which is exactly why to phrase it as the article does is perilously close to a lie.