# Supreme Court: Religious Freedom More Important than Fighting Covid **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 26, 2020, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466 "2020-11-26T06:11:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/81 "2020-11-26T18:11:18Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > If politicians and health officials are going to make an exemption for so-called protests, peaceful or otherwise, you can’t sell the idea that religious gatherings are prohibited. What exemption was that? Is anyone saying that people can’t gather outdoors, before curfew, for religious services? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/82 "2020-11-26T18:13:03Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > > [@octopus](#): > > > > If politicians and health officials are going to make an exemption for so-called protests, peaceful or otherwise, you can’t sell the idea that religious gatherings are prohibited > > Soooo…You want they should treat people going to Mass the same way police treated protesters? You mean, “kettle” them where they can’t escape, yell at them with impossible instructions to leave, and then forcibly remove their masks to spray pepper gas directly into their faces? I think that would be a bit harsh to do to people peacefully gathering outdoors to pray. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/83 "2020-11-26T18:13:10Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > If politicians and health officials are going to make an exemption for so-called protests, peaceful or otherwise, you can’t sell the idea that religious gatherings are prohibited. I’m not aware of any crowded indoor protests. Can you point me to an example? Was that protest allowed? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/84 "2020-11-26T18:14:21Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > If politicians and health officials are going to make an exemption for so-called protests, peaceful or otherwise, you can’t sell the idea that religious gatherings are prohibited. Many reports pointed out that using masks and being outdoors is less of an issue than being indoors in a church. > **[Parties — Not Protests — Are Causing Spikes In Coronavirus](https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/06/24/883017035/what-contact-tracing-may-tell-about-cluster-spread-of-the-coronavirus)** > > Erika Lautenbach, director of the Whatcom County Health Department in Washington state, says protests against police violence aren't among the catalysts for the spread of COVID-19. And there is the CDC advisory that recommends outdoor activities with masks rather than indoor ones: [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html) > Prioritize attending outdoor activities over indoor activities and stay within your local area as much as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/85 "2020-11-26T18:14:28Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I think that would be a bit harsh to do to people peacefully gathering outdoors to pray. As do I. Either that comparison is overly harsh, or overly silly. Or both. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/86 "2020-11-26T18:17:10Z")
I’ve seen outdoor church services recently, by the way. They’ve been in fields and parking lots close to the church, with light folding chairs. The chairs were spaced out and participants wore masks. I’m pretty certain those are legal everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/87 "2020-11-26T18:17:23Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > You mean, “kettle” them where they can’t escape, yell at them with impossible instructions to leave, and then forcibly remove their masks to spray pepper gas directly into their faces? > > I think that would be a bit harsh to do to people peacefully gathering outdoors to pray. Don’t forget kidnapping them in black vans and taking them to undisclosed locations. Now we’re talking about a supreme court case! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/88 "2020-11-26T18:27:40Z")
It seems that one’s religious beliefs allows one to deliberately hurt or injure others. So if my religious sect tells me that in order to get into heaven, I am required to randomly shoot bullets into a crowded street, that’s OK, right? The Supreme court has said that my religious beliefsare more important that that stupid concept of public safety. Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/89 "2020-11-26T18:30:39Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > {…} So if my religious sect tells me that in order to get into heaven, I am required to randomly shoot bullets into a crowded street, that’s OK, right? {…} Only if you use the prefered sect’s name for the same god. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/90 "2020-11-26T18:41:26Z")
The Supreme Court said no such thing. Why are you making shit up? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/91 "2020-11-26T18:42:33Z")
I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/92 "2020-11-26T18:47:16Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > It seems that one’s religious beliefs allows one to deliberately hurt or injure others. Yes it does, but if you think about it, Religion has been big on hurting others for centuries. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/93 "2020-11-26T19:05:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You are in no way agreeing with me. If religious institutions are to be treated the same as other institutions where people gather, then merely not obligating people to go in person isn’t enough. How are you managing to miss where I said “I think he ought to lock the doors of every church in his diocese,” and “I think the Diocese of Brooklyn (and the Archdiocese of New York, and every other diocese in the country) ought to lock the doors of their churches, or at least massively restrict the size (and spacing, and mask wearing, etc.) of all gatherings, including gatherings for Mass,” and “I wish he hadn’t brought this lawsuit. Bishop DiMarzio knows there’s a pandemic going on, and back in March, suspended the Sunday obligation. I wish he’d left it at that.” You’re amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/94 "2020-11-26T19:08:09Z")
Why, thank you! If the law mandates that other social institutions be shut down, it shouldn’t be up to bishops and other church leaders to decide whether or not to do the same. That clear enough for you? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/95 "2020-11-26T19:19:07Z")
Well, if as part of the religious ceremony destruction of public and private property, mass burnings of buildings, random assaults, throwing incendiary and explosive devices, using damaging lasers to blind, and looting takes place instead of hymns and an offering then sure. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/96 "2020-11-26T19:27:13Z")
And that was just Sturgis! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/97 "2020-11-26T19:27:34Z")
**Modnote** : This is hijack. Did you mean to start a new thread on this? Keep on topic everyone. This is just a guidance, not a warning. Nothing on your permanent record. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/98 "2020-11-26T19:29:00Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > {…} This is hijack. Did you mean to start a new thread on this? {…} 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/99 "2020-11-26T19:38:54Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If the law mandates that other social institutions be shut down, it shouldn’t be up to bishops and other church leaders to decide whether or not to do the same. > That clear enough for you? The case at hand was about whether the State of New York imposed a _greater_ restriction on the Catholic Church in Brooklyn than on other, secular, institutions. You may or may not agree with the Court’s ruling, but that’s what it was about. But yes, your position is crystal-clear to me. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466/100 "2020-11-26T19:44:46Z")
@Jas09, I don’t think the Democrats are playing politics; they’re trying to save lives. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-religious-freedom-more-important-than-fighting-covid/926466.md?page=6)