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Calvary Chapel, the California Church that Defied Mask Mandate Must Pay $1.2 Million in Fines
PJ Media ^ | 04/16/2023 | Rick Moran

Posted on 04/16/2023 10:15:41 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Calvary Chapel in San Jose, Calif., is a large evangelical church that defied state and local orders to mask up during services and maintain “social distancing.” Of course, we now know that mask-wearing was about as effective against spreading COVID-19 as wearing a necklace of newt entrails and “social distancing” was a bad joke.

But it’s not the science. It’s that the church defied authorities. So now Calvary must pay the state of California $1.2 million in fines because they got bureaucrats mad at them.

So there.

Is there anyone who doesn’t think $1.2 million for not wearing masks is fair? Is it even reasonable? Vindictiveness should not be a part of the American judicial system ever, and no rational, sane person can say that a $1.2 million fine for disobeying COVID-19 mitigation efforts that have now been found to be wildly ineffective is anything but judicial vengeance.

Associated Press:

Calvary Chapel sued the county, arguing the health orders violated its religious freedom. Various courts have ruled either in favor the church or the county.

The church and its pastors were previously held in contempt of court and fined for violating limits on indoor public gatherings. But a state appellate court reversed those decisions last year, saying that the restrictions on indoor worship services were stricter than for secular activities such as going to grocery stores.

The county continued to seek fines for violations of mask-wearing regulations.

The judge wrote an opinion that was so 2020.

“It should appear clear to all — regardless of religious affiliation — that wearing a mask while worshiping one’s god and communing with other congregants is a simple, unobtrusive, giving way to protect others while still exercising your right to religious freedom,” Superior Court Judge Evette D. Pennypacker wrote

(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events; Evangelical Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: california; calvarychapel; church; covid; covidcommunism; fines; masking; tyranny

1 posted on 04/16/2023 10:15:41 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

And the mandates of God that Joe defies ???


2 posted on 04/16/2023 10:19:03 AM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: SeekAndFind
But it’s not the science. It’s that the church defied authorities.

So obviously so! The Domino Effect of Communism ... rapidly spreading.

3 posted on 04/16/2023 10:19:10 AM PDT by Jane Long (What we were told was a conspiracy theory in ‘20 is now fact. Land of the sheep, home of the knaves)
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To: SeekAndFind

Unless that church is prepared to pay for appeals, it may be better to simply declare bankruptcy, end the existence of this non profit business, then reform under a different name and with a new board of directors.


4 posted on 04/16/2023 10:28:47 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: SeekAndFind

I hope they refuse to pay on the grounds that this is not a justifiable or Constitutional fine. It’s just graft on the state’s part.


5 posted on 04/16/2023 10:34:02 AM PDT by Allegra
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To: SeekAndFind

https://calvarychapel.com/posts/marriage-by-design-understanding-the-bibles-perspective-on-homosexuality/

So, What’s Wrong with Same-Sex Marriage?
When we put all this together, we can see why Jesus connected the purpose of marriage to the one who created us male and female. Can two women have a loving, committed, exclusive, and permanent sexual relationship? Without a doubt. But that does not mean they have a marriage as Christianity understands it. Thus, their relationship still falls outside of God’s permissible and blessable design for sexual activity.


The real issue?


6 posted on 04/16/2023 10:37:43 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: SeekAndFind

This one will make its way through the courts and may even wind up at the Supreme Court. What’s certain is that these fines are meant to retaliate against a group of people who defied public health orders.


From the article.

Be thankful that there are still warriors, even better, become a warrior.


7 posted on 04/16/2023 10:40:49 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Rioters in 2020 didn’t have masks on as they firebombed police stations. None of them are in jail, or were ever fined.


8 posted on 04/16/2023 11:03:20 AM PDT by I want the USA back (No one is assigned sex at birth. One's sex is noted and recorded. My pronouns Haha, hehe, hoho, hoo )
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To: lee martell

Way to cave to an unconstitutional, tyrannical state.

They cave and it sets precedent and makes it all the harder for others to fight it. And it just encourages more of the same from the government, just like refusing to prosecute crime. You get more criminals and criminal behavior when they know there are no consequences.

You realize that appeasement never solved anything but only made matters worse, don’t you?


9 posted on 04/16/2023 11:26:39 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith….)
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To: lee martell

They will take the building most likely.


10 posted on 04/16/2023 12:53:27 PM PDT by napscoordinator (DeSantis is a beast! Florida is the freest state in the country! )
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To: Tennessee Nana

Pastor needs to play a little hardball. Get the entire congregation and sympathizers to organize outside a few offices. Bring those walls down.


11 posted on 04/16/2023 1:27:48 PM PDT by healy61
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To: healy61

Burn, loot, murder usually works ...


12 posted on 04/16/2023 3:08:08 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: SeekAndFind

The judge that ruled the fine should have learned more about the effectiveness of masks. The information has been available for some time.


13 posted on 04/16/2023 4:18:08 PM PDT by oldtech
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To: SeekAndFind

Meanwhile, from a couple of days ago...

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/era-has-passed-beijing-subway-drops-mandatory-covid-mask-rule-2023-04-16/

BTW, every NYS health system I just checked is still requiring muzzles for healthy staff and patients.

Continuing proof, as if it were needed, that CoupFlu policy has NEVER been about public health.


14 posted on 04/17/2023 1:06:23 PM PDT by mewzilla (We will never restore the republic if we don't first secure the ballot box.)
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