Where do we draw the line? Some California church leaders question order barring indoor worship
Summary
Gavin Newsom once again bars houses of worship in much of the state from conducting indoor religious services, some Christian leaders are critical of the governor’s decision. Jonathan Keller, president of the conservative California Family Council, said Newsom’s order shows that the governor “trusts big box stores like Costco and Target more than churches and synagogues.” “Coupled with last week’s ban on singing during worship services, people of faith are increasingly alarmed by Sacramento’s disregard of their constitutional rights. Effective and data-driven guidelines should be implemented, but a restriction on our First Amendment rights in the form of the government closing down houses of worship cannot be tolerated,” Grove said in the letter. However, we will continue to follow all guidelines as the health and safety of our congregation and staff is a top priority,” said Mark Miller, a spokesman for Bayside Church. Bishop Jaime Soto, of the Diocese of Sacramento, said in a letter to congregants that parishes in counties affected by the order would conduct mass outdoors where feasible, but when high temperatures make that prohibitive, they would livestream services.