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Supreme Court gives temporary win to California churches over coronavirus restrictions
Ruling comes after the court blocked caps on religious service attendance in New York
The Supreme Court gave a positive sign to a California church fighting Gov. Gavin Newsom's restrictions on the number of people allowed at houses of worship due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a Thursday order, the court vacated a District Court ruling against Harvest Rock Church with instructions to reconsider their challenge in light of the Supreme Court's recent rejection of restrictions on prayer services in New York.
"The September 2 order of the United States District Court for the Central District of California is vacated, and the case is remanded to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with instructions to remand to the District Court for further consideration in light of Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo," the Supreme Court said.
Fox News reached out to Newsom's office for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and the Jewish group Agudath Israel of America, issuing an injunction against New York's restrictions that limited prayer services at houses of worship to 10 people in some areas and 25 in others. The religious organizations claimed that Gov. Andrew Cuomo's policies were more restrictive against houses of worship than against secular establishments.
In California there is a tiered system that places different levels of restrictions on different counties, but as of Nov. 21, 41 counties in the state — representing 94% of the state's population — were under the most restrictive regulations that include the prohibition of all indoor religious services. Services in other counties have strict caps on the number of people permitted. The state issued specific guidance to places of worship earlier this year.
The church's legal argument is based primarily on the First Amendment. Under the amendment's Free Exercise Clause, the church claims, Newsom's order is illegal because restricts the size of religious gatherings while treating non-religious groups and activities differently.
The church also cites case law surrounding the First Amendment's Establishment Clause that says that the government cannot "force or influence a person to go to or remain away from church against his will." The church claims that imposing criminal penalties on people who go to a house of worship influences them to stay away.
Supreme Court gives temporary win to California churches over coronavirus restrictions | Fox News
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Senior Member
Man! I did not see this! We have been praying for this to happen. This is exciting news for us.
We have a Baptist church in the metro area that's up to $350,000 in fines.
Please help us pray against this tyrant!
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Senior Member
It should be noted that the Supreme Court ruling doesn't mean states can't pass restrictions against churches - it just means they have to be consistent.
In other words, if bars, secular establishments, etc. are limited to no more than 10 people, then churches could be limited to no more than 10 people, too. The restrictions could proceed as long as they are applied evenly.
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Senior Member
Way to go, SC. Sit down, Newsom!
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Senior Member
Strip clubs are listed as essential in CA. but houses of worship are listed as non essential.
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MercyandFaith (12-03-2020)
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Administrator
Originally Posted by
Pentecali
Strip clubs are listed as essential in CA. but houses of worship are listed as non essential.
Yeah, the height of hypocrisy.
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Senior Member
Originally Posted by
Pentecali
Strip clubs are listed as essential in CA. but houses of worship are listed as non essential.
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The Following User Says Thank You to Romans828 For This Useful Post:
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Senior Member
Originally Posted by
Pentecali
Strip clubs are listed as essential in CA....
That wouldn't surprise me.
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Senior Member
Good news for churches for a change.
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