The County of San Diego is flagrantly violating the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which reads:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
In an order effective today, (link below) one finds Paragraph 17b, which reads:
b. “Gathering” is any event or convening that brings together more than one person in a single room or single indoor or outdoor space at the same time, including people in multiple vehicles in one location. A gathering does not include:
i. A gathering consisting only of members of a single family or household.
ii. Operations at airports, public transportation or other spaces where persons in transit are able to practice social distancing.
iii. Operations at essential businesses as defined in section 17a above and where the other requirements set forth in this Order are followed.”
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/Epidemiology/HealthOfficerOrderCOVID19.pdf
This Order is targeting churches. The only people talking about gathering “people in multiple vehicles in one location” are those planning Easter Sunday services in an attempt to hold services according to the previous Order. This draconian Order is wholly irrational and thus wholly unnecessary. These restrictions are more egregious than anything which churches experienced when I lived in communist East Germany.
Comments:
1. You can go out and buy cannabis, but you cannot go to church on Easter Sunday.
2. You can go grocery shopping, but you cannot attend church on Good Friday.
3. You can park your car in any shopping facility car park in the county, but you cannot park your car in your church car park with anyone else gathered.
4. Technically, according to the County of San Diego’s directive, it would be “illegal” to have someone operate the sound equipment for me to record a sermon on Easter because TWO of us would be in the same sanctuary, despite having half a football field of “social distance” between us.
Again, this Order by the County of San Diego is not only a direct contravention of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in general, but it also specifically targets churches on the eve of Easter Sunday and extending into the following weeks of the Easter season.
Blessings to you.
