News From The Week Of May 25 – May 30, 2020

Friend:

I’m filling in for Rachel this week while she takes some well-earned time off – happy Saturday! Late last night, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision rejecting a request for a religious exemption to California’s public health order that temporarily limits both religious and secular gatherings. In other words, the Supreme Court said that California’s order that puts restrictions on in-person worship is legal. It’s a devastating loss for Religious Right legal groups – but a victory for the First Amendment and common sense. Read more here: [link removed]

This could have enormous consequences for over 20 cases nationwide, in which AU’s friend-of-the-court briefs are now reinforced by the words of Chief Justice John Roberts, who agreed that the order was right to treat secular and religious gatherings equally. Crucially, Roberts rejected the Christian nationalists’s argument that attending a church service is the same as buying necessary supplies in a grocery store. He wrote that in places like groceries, “people neither congregate in large groups nor remain in close proximity for extended periods.”

California’s order advances religious freedom by ensuring the government isn’t favoring some people’s religious practices in a way that endangers the lives of others. As more reports surface showing the potential for houses of worship to spread coronavirus, we are urging faith communities to follow the guidance of public health experts, including worshipping together remotely if recommended. We hope people will find comfort by participating in virtual services whenever possible.

For our own part, AU is expanding our virtual offerings by launching our exciting new Summer Speaker Series ([link removed]). Every Tuesday in June you can tune in online at 3 pm ET for free hour-long courses from AU experts and special guests. I’m very excited to be hosting the first course in the series this coming Tuesday, June 2nd. Click here to RSVP for “Religious Freedom 101,” and you can join me through Zoom or Facebook Live to participate next week: [link removed]

Thanks for being a part of Americans United – and I hope to see you next week.

Best,

Rob Boston
Editor of Church & State magazine, AU Senior Adviser

Falwell’s Latest Outburst Underscores The Moral Imperative Of Religious Freedom:
AU’s new Senior Faith Adviser Dr. Sabrina Dent writes that Jerry Falwell Jr.’s ugly tweet deeply exposes and challenges the moral imperative of religious freedom in America.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Baptist Theologian Provides Welcome Reminder On The Limits Of Religious Freedom:
Research Professor of Theology Curtis W. Freeman is critical of the protestors who swamped the state capitol in Raleigh to demand an immediate reopening of the state, including houses of worship. He points out that they’re overlooking the fact that church gatherings have been identified as vectors for the virus.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Christian Nationalist Group Eggs On Churches Ignoring Pandemic Restrictions:
While groups like the AFA lift up the voices of extremists, Americans would do better to listen to the many faith leaders who are advocating a reasonable and prudent path toward reopening.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Legislators In Two States Want To Stop Governors From Curbing In-Person Religious Services During Pandemics:
In two states – Pennsylvania and North Carolina – state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would make it impossible for state officials to restrict religious gatherings during a public-health emergency.
READ MORE » [link removed]

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