Seth Udinski, FISM News
California appears determined to wipe out any hope of religious freedom in the state, specifically for Christians. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the state has used the pandemic to gain governmental control over its citizens’ First Amendment rights. Now, Santa Clara County is overtly ignoring the Supreme Court’s protection of religious liberty, and a church in the Golden State is fighting back.
Last year, the county filed a $2.8 million lawsuit against Calvary Chapel Santa Clara for continuing to meet despite the lockdowns. The state called the church a nuisance and claimed it functions as a business, thereby forfeiting the church’s protection to meet under the High Court’s ruling. Last week, the church formally called the court to step in and legally remove the suit.
Attorney Tony Black, representing Calvary Chapel, accurately summarized the situation. He said,
No matter where you stand politically on the COVID-19 issue, I think all Americans can agree it’s outrageous for Santa Clara County to seek $2.8 million dollars in fines against a church under the classification of a commercial entity. This is especially true when, over the last year, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held it was unconstitutional for the government to prohibit churches from holding worship services.
FISM News will continue to follow this case and the vital effects of it on the future of religious liberty in America.