Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Pasadena Church Wins Partial Victory Over Indoor Worship
A man prays while attending an Easter service at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, Sunday, April 12, 2020. Many churches are adapting their services as Christians around the world are celebrating Easter at a distance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP
()
Churches, including a Pasadena location that filed suit, have won a partial victory against California's ban on indoor worship services during the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled late Friday that the ban on indoor worship violated First Amendment guarantees, clearing the way for churches in the state to reopen their doors to parishioners.
In a 6-3 ruling along ideological lines, the high court ruled that "regulations like these violate the First Amendment unless the State can show they are the least restrictive means of achieving a compelling government interest.''
The ruling did leave in place a 25% capacity limit, and bars singing and chanting, saying these activities pose a heightened risk of transmitting COVID-19.
Support for LAist comes from
The ruling came in response to legal action from Pasadena-based Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, which has more than 160 churches across the state, and the South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista.
The Pasadena church filed a federal civil complaint against California Gov. Gavin Newsom last summer over coronavirus restrictions. It also faced warnings for noncompliance from the city of Pasadena.
The church is led by Pastor Ché Ahn, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump who spoke about the lawsuit at a pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 5, the day before right-wing extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol.
“First time an elected official is telling us how to worship God,” Ahn told the crowd at the D.C. rally, "and so we decided to sue Governor Newsom. We said enough is enough."
Ahn is shown in a video from the rally telling the crowd that “this is the most important week in America’s history,” adding, “I believe that this week we are going to throw Jezebel out, and Jehu is going to rise up, and we are going to rule and reign through President Trump, and under the worship of Jesus Christ.”
His church is not the only one that has protested COVID-19 rules. California's regional stay-at-home orders have allowed only for outdoor religious worship, a controversial sticking point for some churches that have pushed for indoor services.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted guidance for faith communities to “discern how best to practice their beliefs while keeping their staff and congregations safe.”
Support for LAist comes from
READ MORE:
- Harvest Rock Church Files Federal Lawsuit Against Newsom's Church Ban
- Opposing Church Closures Becomes New Religious Freedom Cause
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist