Spread the love

By Charlotte Smith

During the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, local officials have encouraged aggressive measures to combat the spread of the virus. Some of these measures include recommendations or mandates banning large gatherings, including church services and activities, according to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

Bladen County Board of Commissioners Chairman Ray Britt, Health and Human Services Director Dr. Terri Duncan and Emergency Director Nathan Dowless held a press conference on Tuesday, March 17, which included information about banning large groups.

Dowless encouraged local citizens to adhere to the recommendations and mandates. President Donald Trump, Gov. Cooper and the Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention have all given instructions on limiting large group gatherings. Dowless explained each of the authorities’ recommendations for mandates.

On March 14, Cooper ordered all K-12 public schools in North Carolina to close for a minimum of two weeks in response to COVID-19. The Executive Order also banned gatherings of more than 100 people.

“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,” Cooper said. “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 notion of government agents shutting down churches have triggered some immediate and strong concerns about breaches of religious liberty. During Tuesday’s press conference at the Bladen County Courthouse, Robert Brisson on Facebook Live Stream with BladenOnline asked, “1st amendment of the US Constitution says government can’t dictate to religious organizations. What about that?”

Dowless replied, “The direction we got from our executive order was no gatherings of 100 people or more. I certainly understand the first amendment, but we have to take it at face value. We have to take the executive order for what it says.”

Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker explained the executive order pertaining to no gatherings of 100 or more people is lawful, and it is not against the constitution, according to the Sheriff’s Association.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) published an article by Walter Weber, explaining if churches are singled out for hostile treatment, it would be a textbook violation of the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause.

Weber writes, “This does not mean, however, that churches are entitled to a special exemption to public safety measures that are applied evenhandedly.”

Violation of the mandate given by the governor is a Class 2 misdemeanor crime, according to officials.

The ACLJ says they will continue to closely monitor this situation. Assistance in knowing your rights may be found at ACLJ.org/HELP.