Trump DOJ Steps Up to Defend Christians Fined $500 for Drive-In Church Service

Tyler O'Neil : Apr 15, 2020
PJ Media

"...Religious institutions must not be singled out for special burdens..." -AG William Barr

[PJMedia.com] On Tuesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stepped up to defend the rights of Christians who were slapped with $500 fines for attending a drive-in church service last Wednesday in Greenville, Mississippi. Although Mayor Errick Simmons did not force the Christians to pay the fines, he stood by his arguably unconstitutional ban on drive-in church services. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) represented the church's pastor in a lawsuit and the DOJ filed a statement of interest in that suit. (Image: AP Photo-Alex Brandon)

In a statement on the filing, Attorney General William Barr defended the social distancing and stay-at-home orders issued across the country, but he insisted that the coronavirus emergency does not abrogate Americans' fundamental rights.

"Even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious Believers. Thus, government may not impose special restrictions on religious activity that do not also apply to similar nonreligious activity," he insisted. "For example, if a government allows movie theaters, restaurants, concert halls, and other comparable places of assembly to remain open and unrestricted, it may not order houses of worship to close, limit their congregation size, or otherwise impede religious gatherings. Religious institutions must not be singled out for special burdens"... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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