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Virginia Law To Protect Churches During Emergencies Like A Pandemic

by | Mon, Apr 10 2023

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The US State of Virginia has passed a law which protects churches during public emergencies.

It prohibits the state government from unfairly imposing restrictions on houses of worship that are more severe than those on secular organisations.

The Christian Post reports the bill received bipartisan support.

In part, it reads: “No rule, regulation, or order issued by the Governor or other governmental entity pursuant to this chapter shall impose restrictions on the operation of a place of worship that are more restrictive than the restrictions imposed on any other business, organisation, or activity.”

Lawyers from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) which specialises in religious freedom cases, welcomed the new law.

ADF Legal Counsel Greg Chafuen said: “This bill takes the modest step of ensuring that officials cannot use a public crisis to discriminate against religious services in churches and other houses of worship.”

“While public officials have the authority and responsibility to protect public health and safety, the First Amendment prohibits the government from treating churches worse than shopping centres, restaurants or gyms,” he explained

Other states have imposed similar laws following the pandemic which sparked multiple lawsuits by churches claiming they had been treated unfairly.

These included state restrictions that allowed secular businesses more in-person capacity than church buildings and less strict social distancing.