County pays dearly for discriminating against churches

After almost a year of negotiations, a Christian law firm has secured a lot of money for some California churches that were unconstitutionally shut down during the COVID pandemic.

California was – and continues to be – one of the most regressive states in the U.S. when it comes to COVID-related restrictions, coming down especially hard on churches. While bars and superstores and other establishment venues were permitted to open up, churches and other places of worship were still being shut down, and their congregants required to mask up or be vaccinated.

Brad Dacus of Pacific Justice Institutetells AFN it made no sense. "Governors cannot treat churches differently than other essential entities and organizations," he argues. "If they're going to allow a hardware store or a marijuana dispensary or a liquor store to open up, they better also allow a church to open up."

Being a law firm focused on defending religious freedom, PJI did what it knows best to do: it went to court.

"We first had to seek an emergency writ from the United States Supreme Court in order to get the governor of California – and the county of Santa Clara, specifically – to allow churches to reopen," Dacus explains. "After liquor stores and pot shops and department stores were allowed to open, these churches were still closed."

None other than the U.S. Supreme Court eventually weighed in about a year ago, and agreed with Dacus. PJI and five churches in Santa Clara County last week reached a six-figure settlement –






Read more: https://afn.net/legal-courts/2022/04/05/county-pays-dearly-for-discriminating-against-churches/






This is a timely win. It’s a reminder that religious believers rights are every bit as important as everyone else’s. The money is great but reinforced principles means even more.

 

A great precedent incase this pandemic comes back or another arises that the liberty and rights of worshippers shall not be infringed…

 

ridiculous. the constitution is not a suicide pact. what the hell use are lock downs and social distancing if these preachers are staging weekly superspreader events?

 

It's really funny how the virus only spread at churches and Trump rallies and so on.... It's a really smart virus it won't attack you inside of a Walmart or a Lowe's.... Or BLM rally.

 

Who said that?

 

Well when bars and night clubs aren't locked down but churches are, even a blind man can see what is going on....

 

Said what?

 

The state of Californication and other blue states took their restrictions way way too far and beyond reason. No one objected during the 15 and 30 days to slow the spread. No one knew what we were dealing with then. Once things began re opening and Churches were held to different more restrictive standards than other places by the secular progressive elites there became an issue.

 

Those who said that the BLM activities were more important than the diseases while shaming re openers, outdoor Christian gatherings and Trump rallies as super spreader events.

 

This:t's a really smart virus it won't attack you inside of a Walmart or a Lowe's.... Or BLM rally.

 

Nope, they didn't

 

Nobody is saying that, FatBack.

The issue with the churches and rallies is they were in violation of specific ordinances put in place at the time. For example, here in IL, our Governor implemented a rule that forbade business managers and/or owners from allowing customers in without masks. Our Fire Code limits were basically cut in thirds and employees were at the door to let in how many customers had just exited. We also had arrows on the floor and could not "double back" down an aisle (employees were wiping things down constantly and carts and scooters were disinfected between each customer use).

Basically, it was the manager/owners on the hot seat for fines if customers were inside without masks or the numbers weren't limited so they all did it. Conversely, I live near an elementary school and they never closed down but my kids (in Chicago) were on remote learning until this past Fall.

Also, Trump's attorneys required indemnifications basically saying that if a person contracted the virus at a rally, Trump nor the venue were responsible. They also didn't require masks or socially distancing in the seats. Trump and his team outright refused to wear masks at the first presidential debate and sat together in the audience. That was less than 24 hours before the story broke that Hope Hicks (who was on the flight with them) tested positive. I believe that he knew he was positive that day and commented to some local friends that he didn't look well at that debate. I think they floated Hick's name first to ease the news of his positive test because he was sort of obnoxious about the mask issue when Wallace asked him about it.

So, nobody is saying you can ONLY get the virus at these specific places but not these other specific places. Remember early on when all those church choir members tested positive after meeting for choir practice? It's more that the statistical probability of getting it increases as the number of people congregated in a specific area increases. I, personally, think it's all nonsense. I contracted COVID and had NO risk factors. None. So, obviously, everybody is going to be exposed somehow.

 

Yes I know. You see it too huh?

 

Actually, they did.

 

Seems to me that the media gave a big pass anytime there was a large group of people assembled for anything like a left-wing purpose if you will but yet anytime there was a church gathering or a trump rally it was the end of the world.

Now I may not have the most prestigious or high-paying job but I feel fortunate because if something like this happens again I'm one of those "essential workers".

And we were doing the arrows pointing down the aisle here and plexiglass all over town.

 

Yep, they did.

 

yep, it's their right to die, if some Christians what to pack a church during a Pandemic, let them

my body, my choice.... we should all be pro-choice

signs of true Christians, if they die, they were not real Christians

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. -- Mark 16:17-18

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. -- Luke 10:19

 

the problem with the Trump shutdown, is it was not really a shutdown, you can't leave grocery stores open and stuff if you plan to do a real shutdown - is just pointless

I knew people that spent the day going from grocery store to grocery store, cause in their eyes, the "rules" allowed it, so they made a day of it

 

this is true, but the reason they won is other venues were allowed to open

all or none - especially with churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious venues

if they were willing to open the other venues for economic reasons, then they need to allow the same there

I obviously would not of recommended going to a packed church, but that is not for the government to pick and choose

 

Now square that up with thou shall not tempt the Lord Thy God...

So no Christians ever die now huh?

 

Have you ever heard of "confirmation bias"? It sounds like that might be at play here. It's not an accusation, mind you. Just throwing it out there for consideration.

I'll never come to GatorLand but thanks for handling whatever business you handle to make sure our country can still function in this pandemic.

That's good to read. I think everybody is just burnt out on it all. It's like washing the walls and disinfecting everything when you bring that first baby home. Baby #2+ can eat off the floor. Baby #3 might be adopted because he/she doesn't even get any photos in the family album.

 

oh, I agree, the bible is like a magic 8-ball, shake it and read again to get a new answer

 

You can read into whatever passage you read whatever it is you want like you have done here

 

exactly, that is my point

 

When I pick up a venomous serpent I prefer to use a snake stick. The lord gave me a brain with which two fashion tools and good sense to use it with.