Posted on 08/14/2020 8:10:24 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
A California court rejected Friday efforts by Los Angeles County to require a popular megachurch to comply with pandemic orders, allowing the church to hold indoor services with singing and without attendance limits pending a resolution of the case.
Superior Court Judge James Chalfant denied the county’s request for a temporary restraining order against Grace Community Church after the church began holding indoor services July 26 in defiance of state and county rules aimed at combating the novel coronavirus, according to a press release from the Thomas More Society.
Attorney Jenna Ellis called it a “historic win,” tweeting that the court was the first in California “to recognize #churchisessential.”
The Thomas More Society, which represented the church, said the judge ruled “it is the County’s burden to show why it should be permitted to infringe on the constitutionally protected rights of churches to freely exercise religion, but also expressing safety concerns.”
At the same time, the church agreed to comply with mask-wearing and social-distancing rules before the full hearing scheduled for Sept. 4.
Grace Community Church Pastor John MacArthur said in a statement that “we are happy for a few weeks to comply and respect what the judge has asked of us because he is allowing us to meet.”
“This vindicates our desire to stay open and serve our people,” said Mr. MacArthur. “This also gives us an opportunity to show that we are not trying to be rebellious or unreasonable, but that we will stand firm to protect our church against unreasonable, unconstitutional restrictions.”
Ms. Ellis called it a “huge vindication for Pastor John and the Board of Elders at Grace Community Church, who have simply asked for their right to worship the Lord together in church to be acknowledged and protected.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
If you’re afraid of the virus - stay home, and let the rest of us live our lives in peace and without totalitarian nanny overlords.
My wife and I are in our 80’s and we agree with you.
Run a temp check at the door of any church or whatever. If no temp or oral report of illness, that person can come in for spiritual food, real food, a haircut or whatever.
Wonderful news! But continuing prayers are desperately needed!
So if they never quit, we never quit. I can outlast these twits.
Superior Court Judge James Chalfant denied the county’s request for a temporary restraining order against Grace Community Church after the church began holding indoor services July 26 in defiance of state and county rules aimed at combating the novel coronavirus...
Not exactly a full-throated defense of the First Amendment.
Just a state court judge. It’ll be appealed, then brought before the federal judiciary, then the 9th Circus, then SCOTUS. And then there’ll be a replay, just like with that cake shop.
I am glad that someone stood up to the state, I just wish it was a Bible believing church.
First, watch this video:
https://youtu.be/iQKxbUamUno
Then, open up your Bible, Macarthur is dead wrong scripturally:
To start with:
Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
next, in Revelation 14
Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
and again, revelation 15:
Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
and again 16
Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Rev 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and [upon] them which worshipped his image.
and again Revelation 19
Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
And Revelation 20
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Here is a short playlist on Macarthur’s errors
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkoOH05Yvyb0D7dUFRB69OQ8tMltp7n9g
That was a no brainer...but of course a Trump hater like Baker didn't care.
This ruling,too,is a no brainer. First Amendment...freedom of religion,freedom to peacefully assemble.
One would think that that's taught in the first week of the first year of law school.
Logically speaking, you’d think Leftists would WANT church-goers to get sick & die. But they’d rather just boss them around. Good that there’s one sane judge in CA.
Look how far down the slippery slope to hell we have descended as a nation.
A judge “allowing” people to attend a worship service is now a great “victory” for Christians.
Dear lord, how much further will we slide before christian and conservatives fight back in a significant way.
The County of Los Angeles appealed and won in appeals court on Sat night. The Court ruled the county CAN ban church services. MacArthur went ahead and had church services on Sunday anyway.
Hasn’t this already been overturned by an appeals court?
Yes apparently on Saturday an appeals court overturned it.
And on Sunday Grace Community Church met and worshiped anyway.
well done Pastor MacArthur. may God bless you and your church.
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