A leading Los Angeles pastor filed a lawsuit against California on Wednesday over Govin Newsom’s second order to protect coronavirus, including banning singing in houses of worship.
Pastor John MacArthur told Fox News @ Night earlier this month that he began holding indoor services in the form of “peaceful protest” at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles County, despite being warned he could face fines or arrests.
“We feel like we’re the most essential reality in the world,” MacArthur told host Shannon Bream. “Behold, Jesus is Lord … He is the head of our church. Gov. Newsom is not the head of the church. [Los Angeles] Mayor [Eric] Garcetti is not the head of the church. “
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In late July, the province of Los Angeles sent a question letter to MacArthur, in which attorney Jason Tokoro called on the church to “immediately stop holding on-duty honors” as a face for “criminal and civil liability.”
Special Advice from Thomas More Society Jenna Ellis and Charles LiMandri, representing the pastor and the church, called the restrictions “uneasy” in the complaint and called on the state to recognize that Christians are not second-class citizens.
“After Grace Community Church voluntarily followed state orders for nearly six months, the editions of California that demand an indefinite closure are now far beyond rational or reasonable and are firmly on the ground of tyranny and discrimination. This is not about health, ”Ellis said. “It’s about blatantly straight churches.”
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The lawsuit alleges that the state acted unconstitutionally and inconsistently.
“As many took to the streets to take part in ‘political protests’ against ‘racism’ and ‘police brutality’, these protesters refused to comply with the pandemic restrictions. Instead of enforcing public health mandates, public officials all too willing to grant a de facto exception for these favored Protestants, ‘reads the pack in part.
“We just continue to do today what we have done for the past 63 years that Grace Community Church was open to welcoming the Los Angeles community and serving their spiritual needs,” MacArthur said in a statement. “We will remain open and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who decide to worship with us.”
The Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, expressed his support for MacArthur’s stand for “religious freedom.”
In addition to MacArthur, filed a July network of churches, led by Pastor Che Ahn of Harvest Rock Church, in July a lawsuit governing the Democrats’ orders.
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California worship leader Sean Feucht has held “Let Us Worship” events across the state and nation, taking the church outside the building.
“It’s a double standard,” “Fox & Friends co-founder Pete Hegseth, founder of Hold ‘Line, told California leadership,” and I would at best say it’s hypocrisy, and at least it’s is bigotry. You know there’s a purpose to churches. “
