Itâs interesting that thereâs so much division around masks. Well, masks of another sort are relevant in the selective application of rules limiting capacity of worship services versus operations of big box stores, casinos, and secular gatherings.
In theater, one actor can hide behind a mask to play a role or switch masks with another to change identities, roles, or positions. The word hypocrisy originates from the ancient Greek word meaning to pretend, play a part, or be a judge in a mask.
Hiding behind the mask of public health and safety, governments have limited church and religious gatherings in Colorado, California, New Jersey, Nevada, and New York (as well as urban counties around the nation) despite the recent Supreme Court rulings that clearly protect the First Amendment right and practices of Americans to exercise their faith in peaceful assemblies.
Thomas Gallatin
When it comes to his son Hunter, Joe Biden will see and hear no evil. This reality was once again driven home last week with Bidenâs insistence regarding the criminal investigation into his son: âI have, we have, great confidence in our son. Iâm not concerned about any accusations that have been made against him.â Biden then passed off the criminal investigation as âkind of foul play.â
The obvious issue for the Trump administration is whether it can truly trust that Biden would remain uninvolved in the years-long FBI investigation into his sonâs shady business dealings. Bidenâs response anytime the mainstream media has dared to ask about Hunter makes it clear that the answer is a resounding âno.â
Churches closed but strip clubs open? – Times News Online tnonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tnonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
When Santa Clara County (Calif.) Superior Court Judge Peter Kirwan imposed $55,000 in fines on Calvary Chapel San Jose for defying the state’s ban on indoor worship, he warned church officials against resistance.
“Even if you disagree with those opinions, these orders do have a purpose,” Kirwan told Pastor Mike McClure and the church’s attorneys. “You can’t just ignore those rules and regulations, nor can you ignore a court order just because you disagree with them.”
Judge Kirwan should spend a little time reading the New Testament book of Acts, especially in its fifth chapter, which relates what happened when Peter and the Apostles were jailed by the Sanhedrin for talking about Jesus’ resurrection.
Christopher Ferrara | Thomasmoresociety.org
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s strict restrictions against attending religious services will have a profound impact on dozens of other lawsuits challenging similar restrictions in other states.
That s according to Christopher Ferrara, special counsel to the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based public interest law firm that is representing religious groups in the cases.
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that governors can no longer use a public health emergency as a pretext for dictates shutting or severely restricting the use of houses of worship while secular businesses and activities they deem ‘essential’- and even certain favored ‘non-essential’ secular businesses and activities - are not subjected to the same draconian restrictions,” Ferrara said.