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.

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. 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!

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

Best,