Article from For Liberty by Norm Leahy.
In the days before mass protests became the big story, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that California’s coronavirus-inspired limits on the size of church services did not violate the First Amendment.
In a concurring opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that such limits “appear consistent with the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.”
Roberts said deciding when limits on “particular social activities should be lifted,“ during the course of a pandemic, “is a dynamic and fact-intensive matter subject to reasonable disagreement.”
But great deference should be given to local officials, who are, presumably, politically accountable to the people who have to live under those restrictions:
Where those broad limits are not exceeded, they should not be subject to second-guessing by an “unelected federal judiciary,” which lacks the background, competence, and expertise to assess public health and is not accountable to the people.
Just 10 days after it was delivered, Roberts’ opinion has become an example of just how “dynamic,” if not exactly “fact-intensive,” those presumably accountable local officials were when it came to making exceptions to their rules limiting the size of gatherings.
It’s enough to make one wonder whether some part of the First Amendment are less important than others in the minds of some members of the judiciary.
And as Jacob Sullum wrote:
Courts that see no First Amendment problem with special restrictions on religious services seem to be reasoning backward from a predetermined conclusion that state and local governments can do whatever they deem appropriate to protect public health.
Image Credit: Joe Ravi [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
wpDiscuz
The only part of our government that seems to be working any more is the office of the President,.
Thank You President Trump for working for the good of the People!
The rest or most of the rest of our Government can go to ?!
That’s the problem, the FOOL is working in how to further enrich the rich undermining the working clas and poor. He is working so hard on how to improve his cheating while golfing, he is working hard in denying retired workers from the earned benefits from Sicial Security. He is working so hard in denying people of color their CIVIL RUGHTS.
And you know this…… HOW?
sorry john you will never get an answer from tony as liberals never supply any facts where one can look up! all they do is blab on and on!
Obama isn’t as president anymore. Have t you heard Tony. We won’t let this be a sht hole country.
Obama isn’t as president anymore. Have t you heard Tony. We won’t let this be a sht hole country. TRUMP LANDSLIDE VICTORY 2020
What part of stupid did you study for you say nothing but stupidity what an idiot you have turned out to be an probably a disappointment to your mother.
I was always taught to keep quiet and let people think I was an idiot, rather than open my mouth and prove it, thanks Tony for leaving us no doubt!
The working “clas” should be eliminated, no benefits from “Sicial” Security should be given, and all should be denied their CIVIL “RUGHTS’ since they do not exist.
You can’t even spell Social Security correctly, so why should we believe anything else you say?
Nothing could be further from the truth, Tony. You should do your own research and learn the truth, not taking what the MSM spoon feeds you. Here is a place to start: https://www.whitehouse.gov/trump-administration-accomplishments/
Tony u r a complete IDIOT, u show ur disreguard for common sense ur a LOSER!
just take it easy on those who see thinks differently – without the First we are just monkey’s screaming at each other
And not one of your statements can be supported with a fact.
That’s the problem, the FOOL is working in how to further enrich the rich undermining the working clas and poor. He is working so hard on how to improve his cheating while golfing, he is working hard in denying retired workers from the earned benefits from Sicial Security. He is working so hard in denying people of color their CIVIL RUGHTS. Not a duplicate
You truly have been drinking the democrap kool-aid way to long. Open your eyes and look at Facts not propaganda from the MSM.
james i think they call it fool aid as what’s tony is on!
The working “clas” should be eliminated, no benefits from “Sicial” Security should be given, and all should be denied their CIVIL “RUGHTS’ since they do not exist.
We now see that you are just another follower, never knowing any truth, because you can’t give us a list of all the bad things Trump has done. Please, please, please give us the list showing all the details that you say Trump is doing. Maybe I would give you $10,000 to show us that list.
DITTO Mr. M
huh–he was perfectly fine legislating from the bench for o’care. . .
I don’t like crowds my self.
Perhaps the Chief Justice just gave every nutty group the right to take over a city in small blocks like those nut jobs in Seatle. Leaving it up to the elected officials to say we’re liking these Fun Feast for this small group. Instead of protecting the Majority of the city.
The Democrats are loving this new life in America
To get around the restrictions on Church services, Just tell the government agents, it’s a protest or just a good old fashion riot or a democrat gathering, just lie!
Roberts belongs to the left – We are Lucky to have Trump as our President and he will win 2020. All these rioters need to be put behind bars asap.
Roberts is a liberal mutt an a-hole
It is a clear intrusion on our freedom of worship, and the Supreme Court should hide their heads in shame for their ruling.
Justice Roberts is Anti-Freedom if he is against the first amendment then he should step down because he is going against his oth of office.