Free Exercise Of Religion Attacked
Fundamental liberties do not end because there is a pandemic. Individual rights in our Constitution do not disappear during a public health crisis. This does not mean that quarantine cannot be imposed if someone has been exposed to a highly communicable and/or deadly disease. However, measures taken need to be even-handed. A government entity is not permitted to discriminate against one group while allowing another group to engage in the same or similar activity. There can be no disparate treatment.
Last week Greenville, Mississippi mayor Errick Simmons, a Democrat, and the city council banned churches from hosting drive-in services.
“The City of Greenville put in place an Executive Order that orders all church buildings closed for in person and drive-in church services, until the State of Mississippi’s Shelter In Place Executive Order No. 1466 is lifted by Governor Tate Reeves. Churches are strongly encouraged to hold services via Facebook Live, Zoom, Free Conference Call, and any and all other social media, streaming, and telephonic platforms,” the order read.
The governor’s order (EO 1466) recommended that church services not be in person but, he did not prohibit drive-in services. “Mississippi is not China, and it never will be,” Reeves insisted.