The ACLJ represents three churches in a lawsuit challenging California’s ban on all singing and chanting at all indoor worship services throughout the state. We recently filed a brief asking the court to prevent California from enforcing the ban while the case moves forward.
As our brief explained, the CDC, the World Health Organization, and numerous scientific studies confirm that, by implementing protocols such as physical distancing and wearing masks, churches can safely hold indoor services that include singing and chanting. In other words, there is no need or justification for absolutely banning all singing and chanting at indoor worship services.
Our brief also pointed out how California is treating worship services less favorably than other activities. For example, in our case, California argues that, when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, the government has a virtual blank check to do whatever it wants, and protection for constitutional rights must be minimized. In another case, however, California argued for strong protection of abortion rights during the pandemic and stated that “[a] public health crisis should not be used as an excuse” to restrict constitutional rights.
Additionally, the evidence in the case confirms that political protests—which often involve huge crowds of people who are tightly packed together—have been linked to the spread of COVID-19, and yet California’s governor has encouraged protestors to “do what you think is best.” The evidence also shows that churches can hold indoor services that are as safe as, or safer than, political protests by implementing safety protocols, and yet California has banned all singing and chanting at all indoor services, regardless of how safe they are.
In another instance of discrimination, California assumes that churches will follow few, if any, safety protocols, but also assumes that child care centers, film productions, etc.—where secular indoor singing and chanting is allowed—will implement many safety protocols.
We are hopeful that the court will agree that churches and their members do not forfeit their constitutional rights during the pandemic, and will also prevent California from enforcing the discriminatory, and unnecessary, worship ban.
11.10.2020 UPDATE: A hearing was held on November 6th concerning our motion for a preliminary injunction. California submitted a supplemental filing after the hearing, and we have just filed a response that provides further discussion of CDC guidance that confirms that churches can hold safe indoor worship services that include singing and chanting.
As we defend your religious liberty from the overreach of the radical Left and protect the right to sing in church, we need your support. Donate today.
The ACLJ represents three churches in a lawsuit challenging California’s ban on all singing and chanting at indoor worship services throughout the state. We recently filed a supplemental brief asking the court to prevent California from enforcing the ban while the case moves forward. In an earlier...
Does a person of faith have to leave his religious commitments at home when he enters the workplace? Does he have to place job duties ahead of his religious ones? What if an employer assigns a task that would require one to violate one’s religious beliefs? Unfortunately, far too many people (both...
This is a case involving fundamentals – fundamental tenets of what it means to be a U.S. citizen and fundamental beliefs of Christians and many other religious faiths. Fundamental to American civics is the right of citizens to vote, and often with that right comes the responsibility of serving on a...
The Supreme Court last week made a major move in upholding America’s constitutional norms, including the importance of the First Amendment’s protection of the free exercise of religion. Last week, the Court blocked enforcement of Governor Cuomo’s hyper-restrictive and highly discriminatory rules...