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Government Agents Post 'Cease & Desist' Order on Church’s Front Door, Says Singing is Unlawful
Townhall.com ^ | August 26, 2020 | Todd Starnes

Posted on 08/26/2020 5:01:52 AM PDT by Kaslin

The message posted on the front door of the North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, California was jarring.

“Cease and Desist.” That’s what the four-page letter read.

The Santa Clara County Counsel officially ordered the mega-church to shut its doors. They were in violation of the law.

The congregation had been accused of holding indoor services, failing to ensure that speakers wore face masks and singing. Yes, good readers, the church stands accused of singing hymns and spiritual songs.

“North Valley Baptist is failing to prevent those attending, performing and speaking at North Valley Baptist’s services from singing,” read the letter. “This activity is unlawful.”

Let that sink in for just a moment, folks. Congregational worship is against the law in California. This is what I warned you about in my new book, "Culture Jihad."

“The county understands that singing is an intimate and meaningful component of religious worship,” the letter read. “However, public health experts have also determined that singing together in close proximity and without face coverings transmits virus particles further in the air than breathing or speaking quietly.”

Santa Clara County acknowledged in its cease and desist order they had been sending agents into the church to spy on the congregation during worship services.

“The county demands that North Valley Baptist immediately cease the activities listed above and fully comply with the Risk Reduction Order, the Gatherings Directive, the State July 13 Order and the State guidance,” the letter threatened. “Failure to do so will result in enforcement action by the county.”

Now it’s important to remember that North Valley Baptist Church is in the United States of America, not the Soviet Union.

The idea that government agents could infiltrate the congregation and post a cease and desist order on the front door of the church house is unthinkable. And the mere suggestion that pastors of the church could face some sort of legal penalty is outrageous.

Fortunately, Pastor Jack Trieber and the congregation of North Valley Baptist Church did what any red-blooded, Bible-believing, American patriot would do – they held church on Sunday.

“You can’t have any law against assembling in God’s house,” the pastor told the church on Sunday. “None.”

“I know we have a Constitutional right to worship, but we have a Higher Power that we answer to,” he said. “I have a biblical mandate.”

Pastor Trieber said the church has done its best to follow the mandates of local and state leaders. And he pointed out that they have implemented social distancing policies within the building.

“We have obeyed authority in this church. We’ve always obeyed authority. But when (local) authority begins to disregard this authority (God), we go with this book right here,” he said pointing at the Bible.

Pastor Trieber said he bears no ill will towards Santa Clara leaders or Gov. Gavin Newsom. And he is well aware that there is a remote possibility that he could suffer severe consequences for his decision to preach from the pulpit.

“If they close us down in the middle of the service, I’m just going to go over to the park,” he said.

But Pastor Trieber also offered a warning to state and local lawmakers.

“Politicians, do not move against the church,” he said.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: california; church; northvalleybaptist; santaclara; wuhancoronavirus

1 posted on 08/26/2020 5:01:52 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Now isn’t that special. Abortions ok singing to the Lord bad. Go figure.


2 posted on 08/26/2020 5:08:26 AM PDT by duckman ( Not tired of winning!)
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To: Kaslin

Keep an eye out for California doing a bulk purchase of lions.


3 posted on 08/26/2020 5:18:53 AM PDT by Ouchthatonehurt
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To: Kaslin
They were in violation of the law.

And here I always thought that laws had to be passed by a legislature, after actual debate, and a vote of some sort. I guess I keep forgetting about the “stroke of the pen, law of the land” kind of governance you get from wanna-be tyrants.

4 posted on 08/26/2020 5:19:27 AM PDT by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
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To: Kaslin

All these years the left projected to the world that conservative Christians were out to ban dancing with the movie Footloose. Now, the left is banning dancing, singing, going to church, going to the beach, and banning speech against them.


5 posted on 08/26/2020 5:24:24 AM PDT by KobraKai
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To: Kaslin

“When in the course of human events,..............”

BTW, I finally agree with the SF witch. There is a political party at work that is a domestic enemy, trying to overthrow the government. The Democrat/Communist Party.


6 posted on 08/26/2020 5:55:38 AM PDT by NTHockey (My rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners. And to the NSA trolls, FU)
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To: Kaslin

Last week was an article about the threat to arrest anyone who showed up for church. Did that happen? I hope everyone in the area turned out and put that to the test. I haven’t heard anything since. The pastor of the church is really great in this video...you can tell he’s hurting but will do the right thing..and HAS done everything to please the bureaucrats and for what? More threats? Has anyone explained to the public what harm singing is doing? We all know the real intent here but those in charge are too stupid to know we know!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBF_hB47KlM


7 posted on 08/26/2020 5:58:31 AM PDT by Thank You Rush
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To: Kaslin
Sing louder!
8 posted on 08/26/2020 5:59:08 AM PDT by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: Kaslin
The idea that government agents could infiltrate the congregation and post a cease and desist order on the front door of the church house is unthinkable. And the mere suggestion that pastors of the church could face some sort of legal penalty is outrageous.

Should we obey GOD or man?

Acts 5:29

9 posted on 08/26/2020 6:03:47 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: duckman

Wouldn’t it be nice if a flash mob showed up at whatever government office created this ORDER and sang the Hallelujah Chorus for them!


10 posted on 08/26/2020 6:05:41 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Ouchthatonehurt

LOL


11 posted on 08/26/2020 6:06:07 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie
https://www.google.com/search?q=flash+mob+Hallelujah+Chorus&ie=&oe=
 
 
And then; maybe a nice seque to Ode to Joy...
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxLbmnvMWM0

12 posted on 08/26/2020 6:22:58 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Kaslin
"They were in violation of the law."

Is it REALLY a law?

13 posted on 08/26/2020 6:25:48 AM PDT by jackibutterfly (My mind is wandering, and I'm following it!)
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To: Kaslin

Violation of the 1st amendment; both speech and religion.

This is what liberals, the fascist they are, do.


14 posted on 08/26/2020 6:27:16 AM PDT by CodeToad (Arm Up! They Have!)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...
Public safety [sic] trumps Freedom of Religion.
November's coming.

15 posted on 08/26/2020 6:39:45 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: Kaslin

Unconstitutional. Bring back the Black Robe Regiment.


16 posted on 08/26/2020 6:50:37 AM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: Kaslin
The more they (seditious government agents) act to suppress liberty, the closer to the veneer of "Pleasant Society" is striped from day to day social intercourse.

The closer the average citizen comes to the realization that he is firmly in the sites of those who wish to alter the contract that the Constitution provides each and every citizen.

It is my hope that there is still justice in America (judging from the way DOJ has slow walked these investigations, not getting a warm fuzzy) people will realize it truly is "us, against them" and there are way more of us, and some of us have skills.

17 posted on 08/26/2020 7:51:08 AM PDT by SERE_DOC ( The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it. TJ)
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To: Kaslin

Another California item:

Last year, 449,163 Californians received a Jury duty summons to which they declined—using the ‘I am NOT a citizen, therefore I cannot sit on a jury” provision.”

The source for jury duty summons candidates is the VOTER REGISTRATION list.

Let that all sink in for a few moments....And then pass it on.


18 posted on 08/26/2020 10:46:04 AM PDT by ridesthemiles
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To: ridesthemiles

THIS is BIG!

Got a link?


19 posted on 08/27/2020 4:53:18 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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