A coronavirus restriction order is not a form of religious persecution, and it's not a violation of the First Amendment.

photo credit: truenorthreports

On the eve of Thanksgiving, the Supreme Court voted against NY Governor Cuomo's covid_19 restrictions in places of worship. The vote was 5 to 4. Justice Handmaiden Amy Coney Barrett made the deciding vote. 
The interesting part about this ruling, is that the Supreme Court was IN FAVOR of attendance restrictions at Churches in Nevada and California.

So why did the Supreme Court show favoritism to California and Nevada, and not NY?
The Supreme Court believes that Gov. Cuomo's restrictions violate the First Amendment's protection of the free exercise of religion. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch believes that Cuomo has been treating secular activities much more favorably than religious activities. He called out Cuomo for wanting to keep liquor stores open, and wanting to shut down places of worship. Additionally, the Supreme Court believes that Cuomo was singling out two faiths: Christianity, and Orthodox Judaism. 

My Two Cents
I'm not Cuomo's biggest fan, but I don't think he would ever single out faiths in order to push his own agenda (religions do that just fine on their own, btw). Gov Cuomo's only pushing forth restrictions in red zone areas, where there is a high concentration of positive covid_19 cases. The reason why he put the attendance caps on places of worship so low, is because places of worship are notorious superspreader arenas. It has happened in every state in this country, and with this second wave and the holiday season, places of worship will become even bigger superspreader arenas. 
I don't envy the jobs that Governors have. We are in an unprecedented moment in our nation's history. No one knows how to handle it. We don't have anything to reference to (1918 doesn't count, because we've already blown those numbers out of the water). This world is flying blindly in this, and everyone has made mistakes. 

The Supreme Court is basically telling the world that Cuomo is a faithless man who hates religion. Why does everything have to turn into religion or politics? The religious are the biggest "victims" in this world. They think the entire world is against them. Maybe we are now, but it's only because people of religion think they are better than the rest of us. They think they are above the law. 

Look, this isn't about religion, laws, Supreme Court rulings, etc. This is about saving lives. There is a threat out there that takes anyone, regardless of faith, color, background, creed, sexual orientation, age, gender, etc. When will people get a fucking clue? 
Cuomo is trying to save lives, and he's trying the best he can. It doesn't help when the President of the United States has a personal vendetta against him, and refuses to share vaccines with New Yorkers. Such childish behavior will cost thousands of lives in New York.

None of us will overcome this pandemic if we continue to be at war with each other. I used to be somewhat religious. My grandmother read her Bible, beginning to end, and taught me what she knew. In Biblical times, people didn't gather in Churches. There were intimate gatherings outside, listening to Jesus' teachings. 
We live in a digital age, and many places of worship have been doing well broadcasting their messages online, via Zoom, Facebook Live, or YouTube. I don't think Deities care about how you get your good message, as long as you are a good person, you help out your neighbor, and you are kind to EVERYONE (and not just on Sundays. I'm talking to you, Sunday Christians. You are what's wrong with religion). 

This is why I stay away from everyone. People are crazy as hell!

#supremecourt #religion #christianity #coronavirus #covid_19 #GovCuomo #stayhome #wearamask

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