New York's COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings struck down

[grasping the after wind]

They strike at the heart of public safety too. Just like when wearing a seatbelt was imposed on us back in the 60s , some idiots complained about that too. It didn’t go to the Supreme Court. This is not about religion or religious beliefs being harassed, this is about preventing the spread of a deadly virus. The Court made the wrong decision

Where is the evidence that the governor's completely arbitrary and inconsistent regulations will prevent the spread of the disease? The Court's decision is a sound Constitutional one. Governor's cannot just whimsically decide to deny basic rights without good scientific evidence that the public health result you propose will actually be achieved. When the Governor has not even given a logical argument for treating churches more harshly than other indoor gathering places , I don't see how anyone can dispute the fact that this is not equal treatment under the law as well as an unreasonable infringement upon the right of people to worship. From what I have seen, churches are much more likely to enforce masking and social distancing than most of the indoor places being allowed to have a larger percentage of capacity.

 

[ThisIsMe123]

Where is the evidence that the governor's completely arbitrary and inconsistent regulations will prevent the spread of the disease? The Court's decision is a sound Constitutional one. Governor's cannot just whimsically decide to deny basic rights without good scientific evidence that the public health result you propose will actually be achieved. When the Governor has not even given a logical argument for treating churches more harshly than other indoor gathering places , I don't see how anyone can dispute the fact that this is not equal treatment under the law as well as an unreasonable infringement upon the right of people to worship. From what I have seen, churches are much more likely to enforce masking and social distancing than most of the indoor places being allowed to have a larger percentage of capacity.

We're almost a year into the pandemic, and you haven't seen the scientific evidence? What rock have you been living under? Plenty of evidence out there.

There is no one size fits all response to this, it's an evolving situation...always has been...grey area as, so government leaders are going to have to their best to mitigate the spread.

He was allowing a limited amount of people in the churches to mitigate the spread, go find an online service and watch it from home.

The one Jewish wedding that they had with thousands was a nightmarish scenario.

 

[ThisIsMe123]

I wanted to add is, why is this so important to some? Why the resistance, when we have but a few months ago to the light at the end of the tunnel (the vaccine)?

 

[loveofourlord]

That's not the point. The Supreme Court isn't there to change the constitution. They interpret it. It is pretty clear.

not like there is hundred year of presedence that said you could do it during times of emergency.

 

[loveofourlord]

I wanted to add is, why is this so important to some? Why the resistance, when we have but a few months ago to the light at the end of the tunnel (the vaccine)?

Starting to wonder if this is all pushed by the woo woo people wanting to destroy the medical industry.

 

[grasping the after wind]

We're almost a year into the pandemic, and you haven't seen the scientific evidence? What rock have you been living under? Plenty of evidence out there.

There is no one size fits all response to this, it's an evolving situation...always has been...grey area as, so government leaders are going to have to their best to mitigate the spread.

He was allowing a limited amount of people in the churches to mitigate the spread, go find an online service and watch it from home.

The one Jewish wedding that they had with thousands was a nightmarish scenario.

There is no evidence that Cuomo's regulations make sense. They are inconsistent and without any logical rationale. They seem to be whatever strikes his fancy at any particular time and based upon one governor's personal whims. Did the Supreme Court say that state governments could not put limits on capacity? No they did not, If a secret wedding included thousands, it is irrelevant to whether Cuomo can treat religious gatherings differently that similar non religious gatherings. If a wine and liquor producer's convention attracting thousands was secretly held in a convention center in New York State they should get the same treatment the Hassidic wedding held in a Synagogue got, not less harsh treatment. If a liquor store is to hold to 50% capacity then a church should be held to 50% capacity not 25% capacity. The standard needs to be consistent to comply with the Constitution's equal protection clause.

 

[Bobber]

They strike at the heart of public safety too. Just like when wearing a seatbelt was imposed on us back in the 60s , some idiots complained about that too. It didn’t go to the Supreme Court. This is not about religion or religious beliefs being harassed, this is about preventing the spread of a deadly virus. The Court made the wrong decision

Wasn't their decision also made on the fact that the government was picking winners and losers on just who gets to assemble? For protesters it was OK but not for others?

 

[Brightmoon]

There is no evidence that Cuomo's regulations make sense. They are inconsistent and without any logical rationale. They seem to be whatever strikes his fancy at any particular time and based upon one governor's personal whims. Did the Supreme Court say that state governments could not put limits on capacity? No they did not, If a secret wedding included thousands, it is irrelevant to whether Cuomo can treat religious gatherings differently that similar non religious gatherings. If a wine and liquor producer's convention attracting thousands was secretly held in a convention center in New York State they should get the same treatment the Hassidic wedding held in a Synagogue got, not less harsh treatment. If a liquor store is to hold to 50% capacity then a church should be held to 50% capacity not 25% capacity. The standard needs to be consistent to comply with the Constitution's equal protection clause.

the problem is liquor stores are smaller. And people don’t stay in them for an hour or more . It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Other than the fact that they’re both buildings, there’s not much of a comparison as to usage and that usage affects how much virus is in the air from a single infected person inside. Even someone stocking up on a few kegs isn’t going to stay inside a Liquor store for hours.

 

[Brightmoon]

No evidence that Cuomo’s regulations make sense? Really ? Look at the Dakotas compared to New York

 

[ThisIsMe123]

Starting to wonder if this is all pushed by the woo woo people wanting to destroy the medical industry.

*shrug* who knows...I mean, my mom (in her mid 70s now) was around when the Polio/Salk vaccine was out, it was a life saver and no one thought twice about taking it, back my parent's time, people didn't get caught up in those silly conspiracy theories, people just took the vaccine and the thought never crossed their mind as the vaccine worked its magic. She cannot believe ridiculous people are being.

 

[loveofourlord]

The lockdowns and restrictions wouldn't be nescary if people didn't whine about wearing masks or when there are some they go out and party. It's your own fault churches need to be shutdown. You can't whine about not wanting to wear masks or other safety precautions then whine because your ignoring them means stronger regulations.

 

[ThisIsMe123]

The lockdowns and restrictions wouldn't be nescary if people didn't whine about wearing masks or when there are some they go out and party. It's your own fault churches need to be shutdown. You can't whine about not wanting to wear masks or other safety precautions then whine because your ignoring them means stronger regulations.

Amen, was about to post this since I forgot....beat me to it. YOu cannot trust people to do the right thing (social distance, masks)...thus the lockdowns.

 

[FireDragon76]

This just confirms in my mind that the Catholic Church and Orthodox Jews, two of the plaintiffs in the case, are evil cults, and the Supreme Court is now dominated by a bunch of fools.

We can look forward to decades of this sort of foolishness, unfortunately.

 

[FireDragon76]

The vote was a waist of time, Since New York has started letting people go back to church and other places. With Conservative .It seem like prolife is pro birth only. If Trump supporters just listen to reasonable guideless and not Trump. We would have COVID-19 dealt with. Anyone can watch church on TV.

"The real holy place is in the human heart" - H.H. Tenzen Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

Fighting for your "right" for churches to be open in a pandemic is the height of superstition and idolatry. It is evil.

 

[Tigger45]

This really shouldn’t of been an issue. Churches can still gather and be “a lover of their neighbors” by meeting outside. We met at a park and not only was it highly enjoyable it made us more visible to the community. Churches can also meet and stay within pandemic mandates by limiting the number of attendees and if need be increase the number of services. All while wearing a mask mind you.

 

[FireDragon76]

This really shouldn’t of been an issue. Churches can still gather and be “a lover of their neighbors” by meeting outside. We met at a park and not only was it highly enjoyable it made us more visible to the community. Churches can also meet and stay within pandemic mandates by limiting the number of attendees and if need be increase the number of services. All while wearing a mask mind you.

We can honor the deepest aspects of our humanity by being safe and not endangering others.

I have been watching religious services online and I feel no worse for it. H.H. the Dalai Lama has said the real sacred place is in ones own heart, and also in the Konko faith of Shinto, they believe the same thing. You can make your own life a sanctuary, there is no need to endanger others in the name of religion.

 

[Tigger45]

We can honor the deepest aspects of our humanity by being safe and not endangering others.

I have been watching religious services online and I feel no worse for it. H.H. the Dalai Lama has said the real sacred place is in ones own heart, and also in the Konko faith of Shinto, they believe the same thing. You can make your own life a sanctuary, there is no need to endanger others in the name of religion.

Exactly. Most churches have not only developed their on-line presence by streaming their worship services but have also started adding bible studies and social gatherings not only for ‘at risk’ members but people who were previously home bound and unable to travel away from their residences.

 

[Brightmoon]

The USA has been over 100,000 cases a day for at least the last 3 days . I got down on my knees and thanked God that we had a sensible governor in NYS

 

[FireDragon76]

Exactly. Most churches have not only developed their on-line presence by streaming their worship services but have also started adding bible studies and social gatherings not only for ‘at risk’ members but people who were previously home bound and unable to travel away from their residences.

Instead of viewing it negatively, we can see it as a positive thing. Change is not bad. Change prompts us to grow beyond ourselves.

Unfortunately, Trump's politicization of the pandemic has blinded many people to that reality.

 

[FireDragon76]

The USA has been over 100,000 cases a day for at least the last 3 days . I got down on my knees and thanked God that we had a sensible governor in NYS

Governor Cuomo has been a light in public politics of what has otherwise been a dark year. A leader that tried to rally us around shared human values and inspire us to do the right thing by speaking truthfully and with integrity.