If you were planning on attending church on Sunday, March 15, you should check with your church before going, because if you attend a church where more than 100 people can attend services, it has likely been cancelled.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Saturday, March 14, issued an executive order banning gatherings of more than 100 people and made no exception for churches or faith based communities.
Cooper stated, “We do not have the luxury of a wait-and-see approach. These are hard decisions but they are necessary so we can learn more about the virus. We do not want any regrets in the rearview mirror, and I am guided by one objective – doing what we must to keep people from getting sick and to make sure that those who do can get excellent care.”
The executive order by the governor with the concurrence of the Council of State states: “I hereby prohibit mass gatherings in the State of North Carolina.
- A mass gathering is defined as any event or convening that brings together more than one (100) persons in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs and festivals.
- A mass gathering does not include normal operations at airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers or other spaces where more than one hundred (100) persons are gathered. It also does not include office environments, restaurants, factories, grocery stores or other retail establishments.”
The executive order continues to state that violation of the order is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
In response to the order the Peter Jugis, the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, which includes Greensboro and the western half of North Carolina, has instructed pastors of churches that hold more than 100 people to cancel their Sunday masses.
A violation is occurring at the Dunn, NC American legion bingo event right now with over 100 people. Most are older.
There was at least a 100 folks at Food Lion yesterday morning. Where is Cooper’s Gestopo when liberal action needed to be taken.
Retail stores are exempt from the ban on gatherings of 100 or more people.
This is starting to give me the impression of where will it end.
Cooper cannot close churches according to the NC Constitution Article1 Section 13 “Religious Liberty”
You CANNOT legally ban church services because that is a DIRECT VIOLATION of the United States Constitution where it clearly states a separation between church and state. The state CANNOT legally mandate anything to the church.
What was banned were gatherings of more than 100 people and churches were not exempted. Churches were free to hold services with less than 100 people in attendance. The government mandates things to churches all the time, building codes and zoning ordinances etc.
I would say that churches don’t have to comply with this. We have First Amendment protection against restrictions to assembly, expression and religious practice. The question for churches becomes, is it responsible and wise to meet, at least in the traditional sense. It may be a time to be creative. I understand taking reasonable measures to prevent the spread of this disease. But, I hope folks will remember that the freedoms they are willing to give up now can be taken easier later on. The government must remain in check.
What about private/members only clubs?