Supreme Court Lets California Return to Church Indoors
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“Justices lift the total ban on indoor worship, though capacity limits and singing restrictions remain.” - C. Today
SCOTUS
Supreme Court of the United States
Justices order review of Colorado, New Jersey worship limits
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“The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered lower federal courts in Colorado and New Jersey to reexamine state restrictions on indoor religious services to combat the coronavirus in light of the justices’ recent ruling in favor of churches and synagogues in New York.” - BPNews
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Hope for CA Churches: Justices Order Review of Virus Rules
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“The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a lower federal court to reexamine California restrictions on indoor religious services in areas hard hit by the coronavirus in light of the justices’ recent ruling in favor of churches and synagogues in New York.” - CLeaders
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Cuomo, COVID and the "Deadly Game"
In the last article, we saw the Court determined public health considerations cannot run roughshod over religious liberty concerns. Justice Gorsuch, who seemed particularly outraged, quipped the Constitution does not take a sabbatical during a pandemic. However, Justices Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan disagree. They wish to continue to defer to Governors and public health orders.
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Cuomo, COVID, and the Notorious ACB
This past Wednesday (25 November 2020), the Supreme Court (“SCOTUS”) barred restrictions on religious services in New York that Gov. Cuomo had imposed to combat COVID-19. The vote was 5-4. If the late Justice Ginsburg were on the bench instead of Amy Barrett, it would have gone the other way.
This is not a permanent decision. Justice Kavanaugh explains:
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In a 5-4 ruling, Supreme Court sides with religious groups in a dispute over Covid-19 restrictions in New York
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“In a 5-4 ruling, the US Supreme Court sided with religious organizations in a dispute over Covid-19 restrictions put in place by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo limiting the number of people attending religious services.” - CNN
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Amy Coney Barrett sizes up 30-year-old precedent balancing religious freedom with rule of law
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“[Scalia] held that the Constitution does not allow religious adherents to violate a ‘neutral law of general applicability,’ by which he meant a law that applies to everyone and does not favor or disfavor people based on their religion or lack thereof.” - The Conversation
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Justice Alito: Some COVID-19 church restrictions blatant discrimination
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“The nation’s High Court allowed blatant discrimination to stand in at least two cases limiting church activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito told the Federalist Society Thursday (Nov. 12).” - BPNews
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Barrett confirmed; SBC leaders focus on prayer
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“Barrett was given the constitutional oath by Justice Clarence Thomas Monday night at an outdoor ceremony at the White House. Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the judicial oath to Barrett Tuesday (Oct. 27), the Supreme Court press information office announced Monday evening.” - BPNews
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U.S. Supreme Court hears argument: Does RFRA allow monetary damages for religious liberty violations?
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“Does the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) categorically bar successful plaintiffs from receiving a monetary award? In one of the first cases heard in the new U.S. Supreme Court term, justices heard oral arguments on that question.” - BJC
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