The Supreme Court of the United States has sided with religious officials challenging Covid-19 restrictions.
The justices ordered a federal district court in Colorado to re-examine the state’s current guidelines on religious services. Their ruling aligns with an earlier decision barring the State of New York from limiting indoor capacity at houses of worship.
CBS News reports:
Justice Elena Kagan, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer dissented in the Colorado case, writing it is moot because Colorado lifted the attendance limits in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the challenge to New York’s coronavirus restrictions.
“Absent our issuing different guidance, there is no reason to think Colorado will reverse course — and so no reason to think Harvest Church will again face capacity limits,” Kagan wrote. “When ‘subsequent events’ thus show that a challenged action cannot ‘reasonably be expected to recur,’ a case is well and truly over.”
The nine justices ruled on a similar case from New Jersey today, asking a lower court to revisit limits on religious services with instructions to consider the New York precedent.
New Jersey currently limits indoor worship to the lesser of 25% capacity or 150 people.
The dispute over the capacity restrictions was brought by High Plains Harvest Church, a church in Ault, Colorado, and its pastor, Mark Hotaling. Colorado capped attendance at houses of worship to 25% of their posted occupancy limit, not to exceed 50 people, in specific geographic zones as part of its efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. But the church argued the limitations violated the First Amendment and claimed the state was discriminating against religious gatherings in favor of secular gatherings.
…
In its filing with the Supreme Court asking it to lift the cap, High Plains Harvest Church said “it is difficult to imagine more blatantly unconstitutional discrimination against religious gatherings in favor of secular gatherings.”
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I have yet to understand why one has to attend a house of worship tp show their faith in their religion, I suppose that only applies to some because persons on board a ship or flying to their destination or in a combat zone in the military, seem to find a way to show their faith, without attending a house of worship, if you really believe you can kneel anywhere and pray to your maker even under the most severe conditions. This ruling is just reverse discrimination that people cannot gather in other places but in houses of worship it is fine. Please explain that to a business which is shut down because of the virus.
It is called to gather in worship! Yes you singly can be true to your beliefs, and of course can pray anywhere, but there are also teachings and learnings that without opening the places of worship, many go without.
Maybe if you pray a little, it will become clear to you….
It’s not reverse discrimination, it’s what the challenge was. I hope there is a challenge to these lockdowns based on the OTHER part of the First Amendment; the part that guarantees American citizens the right to peaceably assemble. There should be NO limits on where people can congregate or for what reason because the Constitution guarantees us that freedom.
Robert it’s about freedom. The government should not be allowed to stick their nose into the people’s worship. Now if the scotus would uphold election laws we will be a better country
Youe wasting your breath, he is clearly a Liberal.
DITTO ! !
It’s easy to not utopia understand when you are a heathen. Bet you can attend any other event as you wish.
I did not type utopia in my comment that was added not this website.
Once again I will correct my comments. Take out the word “not” it wasn’t in my comment. It WAS ADDED by this website.
Robert – The purpose of attending a house of worship is not in order to show a person’s faith. Hopefully, we show our faith in our every day walk. The purpose of attending a house of worship is to attend public worship in order to worship God as He has commanded. While private worship is good and proper, it is impossible to engage in public worship without meeting together. For instance, God instructs us to engage ourselves in “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” which is impossible to do without meeting together in some fashion.
I understand your lack of faith and your false statement as to the intent of the SCOTUS ruling.
First, let’s deal with your prevarication or false witnessing. The ruling IS NOT “reverse discrimination that people cannot gather in other places but in houses of worship it is fine.” It takes deliberate ALITERACY to claim this. NO WHERE in the ruling does it state or imply one can gather in places of worship but NOT in businesses or other places.
As a matter of fact, it was addressing cities and States attempts to limit or ban corporate worship while allowing gatherings in other places, including the “right’ to gather to riot, loot, and assault. It was an attempt to put places of worship out of business as the state knows corporate donations were and are the lifeblood of most places of worship.
Now let’s deal with your hostility to corporate worship and likely to Christianity. Here’s an abbreviated article on why corporate worship IS IMPORTANT in Christianity, and even Judaism.
GATHERING TO WORSHIP TOGETHER Bible VersesPray Ray https://prayray.com/worship-together/
Corporate worship is a time designated whether daily or weekly when Christians gathering to worship together as one body of Christ. By doing so, they are not only obeying God’s commandment to assemble with fellow Christians to worship, but also they show reference and gratitude to God for everything he has done. Bible Verses in Hebrews 10:25 say about gathering to worship together: “Do not forsake meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
Importance of Gathering to Worship Together with Other Believers
Today, many people worship one thing or the order whether consciously or unconsciously. People worship cars, money, position, power, football clubs, musicians, and some even worship deity. It really amazes me how people that claims to be Christian still fails to worship together with other believers in the church or any Christian gathering, forgetting that Corporate worship is a sign of a true believer and also a commandment of God for his children because he deserves it, desire it and will surely bless us for it. Aside from this, our participation during the fellowship and practicing of what we learn is indeed of a great importance for our spiritual growth. (Hebrews 10:24-25) says “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
It’s Biblical Mandated – Bible Verses about Gathering to Worship Together
Christian fellowship is a biblical order that we must follow. As a true believer that loves God and want to obey him, we must not depart from gathering with other believers of Christ. All Christian are one body of Christ, Hebrews 10:24-25 says, we must not forsake meeting together. By worshiping together with others in the church we are able to partake of the Lord’s Supper, according to 1 Corinthians 11:26 which is the public proclamation of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus.
It Helps Encourage Each Other
Christian fellowship helps many folks during the difficult period to stay fit and keep their faith strong despite the situation they might be going through. Likewise, a new converted Christian or believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). One main important of Christian gathering is to encourage and help one another as one body in Christ. Worship should edify believers, that is, whatever a Christian say or do should help others to be a stronger Christian not offending one another.
It Keeps us Stronger
When God’s children are gathering to worship together, they stay stronger as fellowship gives strength to the weak and sick ones among us. It is a great avenue to learn and grow in our faith. When the world seems to turn against us leaving us in a difficult situation, this could lead to fall of many if care is not taken. Corporate worship helps us to keep track and stay fit through the hearing of God’s words, prayers of the saint and testimonies of others. The book of Matthew 18:19-20 says “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them”. God’s spirit binds us together as one during worship.
Corporate Worship Helps to Understand Bible Verses
During worship with others that share our faith, we listen to the scriptures and word of God through the preacher. The word is broken down to our understanding while the listeners applied it to their daily life. Likewise, we are able to interact with spiritual leaders or fellow Christian. This helps us get to know more about things that are not clear to us concerning the scriptures. It however important to always pay attention to church sermon and jot down what we learn from the scripture. After the corporate worship experience, believers must ensure that they practice what they were singing, praying, and preaching. This helps to be closer to Christ.
Many Benefits are Attached to Gathering to Worship Together
Aside from honoring and glorifying God through worship, there are many benefits that come along when Christians worship together. Worship usher worshipers to God’s presence forgetting anything else while the main focus is totally on him. It creates a sense of being nearer to our maker. In corporate worship, we receive spiritual blessings, grace and feel great joy in our heart. It helps grows our faith in Christ, strengthens our mind while it removes doubt and gives us strong hope. It reminds us of eternal life in Christ, the reason we must keep moving on the Christian race. Worship is contagious and this can lead to a non-believer attending a church service surrendering to Christ after a divine encounter.
Importance of Corporate Worship
For many Christians their week is incomplete without Sunday service which is regarded as the first day of the week. The blessing proclamation the church normally share at the end of the worship alone means a lot. Corporate worship act as a food for the soul. It’s just like the fuel that helps move cars to its destination. Corporate worship brings unity and touches the heart of God when his children worship him in truth and spirit. Although going to church does not make one a Christian. True believer will always desire to be in the gathering of other believers. Worship is a lifestyle all Christian must embrace. True worship is knowing the worth of God and accepts to give him the best of everything you have. So give to God your time, talent, money, and your deeds just like Abraham and many apostles during their time. Let’s worship together!
Associated Bible Verses
Psalm 95:6 – Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our maker!
Psalm 107:32 – Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.
Psalm 34:3 – Oh, magnify the lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and Good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Matthew 18:19-20 – Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about Anything they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
So, to be blunt, the liberal progressive STATE is actively HOSTILE to people of faith. It’s for American PATRIOTS to dust off the Declaration of Independence and to take it to heart with a vengeance to restore the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, to its rightful place. It was Justice Story, appointed to the Court by Pres. Madison who had a few words on the PALLADIUM of liberties on how to protect the Constitution,
Have you read the bible? Christ commands that we should gather for church. He also states that where two or more of you gather that he will also be there. You don’t have to go to church to pray but church is more than prayer. Church is a fellowship ship and family experience between God and his body. Try reading the bible and attending church you will experience why it is very important.
We also gather together to celebrate the Baptism of saved Jesus followers
It is not necessary for you to understand or approve what others wish to do. You need only to understand that the Constitution says you cannot place restrictions on religions because of what they are; i.e., you cannot have one set of rules for secular activities, and a more rigid set of rules for religions. That’s what governments are attempting to do. Unrestricted political gatherings, fine. Unrestricted gatherings for BLM and Antifa, fine. Religious activities are restricted. That’s a big, unconstitutional fail. You can place restrictions on religion, but everyone else must have those restrictions. If there are exemptions, they must exempt religion first because of its constitutional protection.
Your lack of understanding about Christian gathering is apparent. The concept of Christians “just” going to church is errant. Christian gatherings are of a family of believers and the fellowship and sharing of worship and Communion is not done in isolation. Yes, people can follow their faith any place and time but the gathering of the family of God to fellowship is an experience of spirituality in His presence. Conflating other experiences and business is a false notion. I don’t propose to speak for other religious belief but the Family of God is not there to make a profit, produce a product or experience entertainment. They are there as a corporate entity bound by like belief and faith to worship and share a collective experience of a spiritual nature. For the nominal Christian not being in a sanctuary may not matter; to a devout Christian it is spiritually life sustaining. You apparently have missed all the demonstrations, public gatherings, ball games and political rallies in recent months if you believe that there is discrimination in favor of religious institutions.
It’s called the Constitution. Read it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have shown your ignorance of the very Book that teaches you about Christ. Just one verse says, “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as is the habit of some.”. And then there is the proverb that describes the problems a person has when they walk alone and fall. YOU also do not understand the benefits of gathering together.
See, I have studied it and know why God instituted church. Now I also know that many churches these days are LAODICEA. They have nothing to do with God. And I will leave it up to you to figure out what the Bible says about the CHURCH OF LAODICEA.
Oh, and you are right about it being good for other places of gathering. But then, the intent of Cuomo and the governor of Colorado and California was SPECIFICALLY AIMED at stuffing the churches.
Robert read the Bible and see what God has to say. When 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am present. There si tremendous power in people praying together. And we can all remember, God does not want our opinion, HE wants our obedience God bless
Church isn’t just about hearing a pastor talk, but it’s also about interacting with fellow believers in person.
AND GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT AND LOVE FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN…….. BONDING AS A UNIT…… HELPING THOSE LESS FORTUNATE…….. OUR CHILDREN NEED THE INTERACTION…..AS THEY DO IN THE SCHOOLS……THIS LOCKDOWN IS A FARCE….AND NEEDS TO BE STOPPED……..USING COMMON SENSE AND A MASK IN PUBLIC IF YOU ARE SICK…… AND THE SANITIZING PRACTICES……..LOCKDOWN HAS JUST BEEN A POLITICAL MOVE……..DIDN’T LOCK DOWN FOR THE OTHER “DEADLY VIRUSES”…..SRS….H1N1….. EBOLA…….. AND SO MANY THAT COME ALONG YEAR AFTER YEAR……….BUT THIS WAS THE ULTIMATE BREAKER FOR THE DEMOCRATS AGAINST TRUMP……….. NANCY HAS SPILLED THE BEANS MORE THAN ONE TIME…….. SHE IS ACTUALLY “”THE” MOST DISRESPECTFUL HOUSE SPEAKER WE HAVE EVER HAD…….. A HATEFUL, RACIST, FEAR MONGERING, SOCIALIST, THAT HAS RIPPED OFF THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER AND BENEFITTED HER HUSBAND ..IN TURN HERSELF AT AMERICANS EXPENSE………… GOD WILL DEAL WITH HER……….
Thank you Zelda for sharing something that needs to be said again and again! God Bless you!
ROBERT ALL THIS CRAP IS RIDICULIOUS AS THE PROTESTERS WERE GIVEN OPEN AIR PACKED INTO EACH OTHER HALF WITHOUT MASKS BURNING AND LOOTING AND RIOTING ALL INTO ONE PACKAGE/SURELY YOU ARE NOT THIS IGNORANT/OUR CHURCHS SHOULD BE A SAFE HAVEN FOR US WHEN WE NEED THE HIGHER POWER FOR STRENGTH/ OBVIOUSLY YOU DO NOT NEED OUR LORD OR THERE IS NO WAY YOU WOULD HAVE WRITTEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS/ HOW YOU FEEL IS YOU FEELINGS BUT WE DO NOT NEED YOUR KIND TO TALK OR THINK FOR US IN THIS SETTING. YES WE CAN KNEEL AND TALK TO OUR GOD ANYWHERE/SO PLEASE DO NOT PRINT OUT THIS CONDESCENDING CRAP ANYMORE/ BE A HUMAN LIKE YOU WERE TO BE
Thank God. Someone needs take a case about churches being shut down or having less people in attendance to court to have ALL CHURCHES BE OPEN IN AMERICA. People can go grocery shopping, the movie theatre or political rallies. The holy bible is very clear about us to attend church and to lift each other up and encourage each other. For the BODY OF CHRIST needs each other to be together in the PRESENCE OF GOD. AMEN.
Kagan can’t be that stupid. Had they NOT moved against Colorado, it would have been assumed that somehow Colorado was different than New York and the bigots in colorado would have cranked down the screws again. Kagan is NOT a judge. Never was.
This is exactly why we should never have Big Government anything
There is no such thing as a Supreme Court… There is a Court of extreme COWARDICE!