Supreme Court decision wrongly restricts religious liberty

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By Rep. Mike Johnson, (R-La)

June 1, 2020

At a time in America when vibrant churches are needed so desperately, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a deeply disappointing, 5-4 ruling against them late last night [May 29]. 

In refusing to block California’s strict limitations on attendance at religious services, the Court’s four liberal justices, joined by Chief Justice Roberts, have jeopardized the “first freedom” of every American.  As Justices Kavanaugh, Thomas and Gorsuch explain clearly in their dissent, while states do have authority to take protective measures in an emergency, they are NEVER allowed to discriminate against religion. 

The dissent noted that Gavin Newsom’s 25% occupancy cap on worship services “indisputably discriminates against religion” because “comparable secular businesses are not subject to a 25% occupancy cap, including factories, offices, supermarkets, restaurants, retail stores, pharmacies, shopping malls, pet grooming shops, bookstores, florists, hair salons, and cannabis dispensaries.”

Churches are perfectly capable of following social-distancing and sanitation guidelines, and it is wrong – and dangerous for the spiritual health of our nation – to restrict their operations now.

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This content originally appeared on Congressman Johnson’s personal page.  It has been reposted by the Conservative Baptist Network with permission.