A federal court ruled in favor of a church in Nevada in its longtime quarrel with Democratic Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and his clampdown on houses of worship in the name of COVID-19.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals <a href="https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2020/12/15/20-16169.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">decided</a> that Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley, which is in Lyon County, Nevada, is allowed to hold in-person services at 25% capacity, which reversed a lower court ruling maintaining that they must abide by state mandates capping church gatherings at 50 people.
“The court has finally made it clear that the government has a duty to respect the First Amendment, and it can’t treat churches like second-class citizens,&#8221; said senior pastor Garry Leist in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=216293126777789&amp;t=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">video posted to Facebook</a>.
“We’re so thankful to the Lord for what He’s done,” Leist added. “We’re singing praises to the Lord today.”
Leist assured his viewers that the church would abide by common sense safety standards, and that “we’re going to be able to take and come back into fellowship without fear, and that’s amazing, and that’s something that we’ve been praying for and asking God to grant throughout this entire process.”
“It’s a blessing to know that the court has recognized that going to church, well, it’s essential,&#8221; Leist continued. &#8220;It’s something that people need in a time, especially in a time such as these [sic]. And so, be encouraged, know that God is absolutely moving forward. Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley is singing the praises of the Lord on behalf of our fellowship, as well as all of those throughout the country. God is good.&#8221;
“What’s going to happen now is that the federal court of appeals is going to issue an injunction that is going to cause this to back down to the trial court for there to be action taken on our behalf,” Leist also said.
Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley was the subject of a Supreme Court decision in July that <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/supreme-court-denies-nevada-churchs-challenge-of-coronavirus-restrictions">ruled against them</a>, before Justice Amy Coney Barrett had been added to the court. The church had sued the state in May, arguing that it was unfair for churches to be capped at 50 people while casinos and gyms were permitted to operate at 50% capacity.
The Daily Wire reported:
<blockquote>The Supreme Court denied a petition Friday from Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley, a Nevada church asking for relief from the state’s strict attendance cap on in-person religious services.
Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the high court’s majority in an unsigned opinion, which was strongly rebuked in three separate <a href="http://supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/19a1070_08l1.pdf">dissenting opinions</a> from the court’s more conservative justices.
“The Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion. It says nothing about the freedom to play craps or blackjack, to feed tokens into a slot machine, or to engage in any other game of chance,” wrote Justice Samuel Alito, who later added the case was likely to succeed on First Amendment grounds.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-supreme-court-rules-lgbt-individuals-protected-from-job-discrimination-under-title-vii">recently sided</a> with the court’s liberal appointees on a high-profile religious liberty case, wrote a powerful yet succinct dissent in which he argued that the Nevada case currently at hand was truly “simple.” [He wrote:]
This is a simple case. Under the Governor’s edict, a 10-screen “multiplex” may host 500 moviegoers at any time. A casino, too, may cater to hundreds at once, with perhaps six people huddled at each craps table here and a similar number gathered around every roulette wheel there. Large numbers and close quarters are fine in such places. But churches, synagogues, and mosques are banned from admitting more than 50 worshippers—no matter how large the building, how distant the individuals, how many wear face masks, no matter the precautions at all. In Nevada, it seems, it is better to be in entertainment than religion. Maybe that is nothing new. But the First Amendment prohibits such obvious discrimination against the exercise of religion. The world we inhabit today, with a pandemic upon us, poses unusual challenges. But there is no world in which the Constitution permits Nevada to favor Caesars Palace over Calvary Chapel.</blockquote>
In the most recent opinion in the church&#8217;s favor, Judge Milan D. Smith referenced the more recent Supreme Court ruling in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, which struck down restrictions against houses of worship in New York. “Just like the New York restrictions, the directive treats numerous secular activities and entities significantly better than religious worship services,” Smith wrote.
“Casinos, bowling alleys, retail businesses, restaurants, arcades, and other similar secular entities are limited to 50% of fire-code capacity, yet houses of worship are limited to [50] people regardless of their fire-code capacities. As a result, restrictions in the Directive, although not identical to New York’s, require attendance limitations that create the same ‘disparate treatment’ of religion,” Smith continued.
David Cortman, who serves as senior counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which is a conservative Christian nonprofit that defended the church in court, said in a <a href="http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/11018" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">statement</a>:
<blockquote>This is a significant win. There is no constitutional right to gamble, but there is one that protects attending worship services. The government has a duty to respect the First Amendment, so it can’t single out churches for harsher treatment than secular activities. Today, the 9th Circuit made clear that, at a minimum, Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley can’t be treated more harshly than Nevada’s casinos, bowling alleys, retail businesses, restaurants, and arcades. Such disparate treatment is both illogical and unconstitutional.</blockquote>
Sisolak also issued a statement in response to the ruling, saying in part:
<blockquote>The purpose of this Directive – and all of the directives the State has issued since the onset of this global pandemic – was and is to save lives and protect the health of the public. While we’re disappointed by the Court’s decision, we respect and will comply with this Order. I continue to encourage Nevadans to practice their religious faiths in a manner that is safe for them and their families, particularly with the upcoming holidays. I have often talked to Nevadans about my personal faith and I will continue to participate in virtual masses at this time.</blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/previously-unimaginable-alito-criticizes-coronavirus-restrictions-warns-religious-liberty-becoming-disfavored-right" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘Previously Unimaginable’: Alito Criticizes Coronavirus Restrictions, Warns Religious Liberty Becoming ‘Disfavored Right’</a>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

‘God Is Good’: Nevada Church Claims Victory After Court Strikes Down COVID-19 Restrictions

CONTINUE READING

Afghan Ally Says He Expects To Be Left Behind And Killed: ‘I’m Going To Die For A Good Thing’

WH, State Dept Reportedly Blocking Efforts To Rescue Afghan Christians: ‘Out-And-Out Evil’

Biden Admits To Being Instructed Which Reporters To Call On; Trump Press Sec Condemns

Biden Crumples At Mic In Response To Questions From Fox News About Afghanistan

‘Satanic’: Carlson, Whitlock Agree Left Driven By Ideas ‘In Direct Objection To God’

Canadian Pastor Who Faces 4-Year Jail Sentence For ‘Inciting’ Church Warns Americans: ‘The Enemy Is Not Hiding Anymore’

News and Commentary

Christianity

COVID

Nevada

Religion

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News and Commentary —

‘God Is Good’: Nevada Church Claims Victory After Court Strikes Down COVID-19 Restrictions