Pastors maintaining the right to meet in person face increased pressure from state governments

by Jordan Hilger, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Pastors refusing to comply with coronavirus regulations effectively shuttering churches are facing increased harassment from state authorities, with New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio even threatening to permanently close churches and synagogues that defy social distancing orders.

Tony Spell of the Life Tabernacle church near Baton Rouge Louisiana was among those not convinced by the protocol, and now faces six counts of misdemeanor for holding church services against Gov. John Bel Edwards’ stay-at-home order.

“We hold our religious rights dear, and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says,” he said while preaching to his congregation, elaborating that the Lord told him to defy the government order.

Three pastors in Texas Monday filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court saying that the government unfairly discriminated against churches by defining them as “unessential” functions, the state “unilaterally choos[ing] winners and losers” in keeping liquor stores open, for example.

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