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North Carolina Churches Sue Governor Over Ban On Indoor Worship

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – Christian leaders have sued the governor of the U.S. State of North Carolina for banning extensive indoor church services to limit the new coronavirus outbreak. Their lawsuit asked a court to throw out Governor Roy Cooper’s restrictions on person-to-person services in North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They argued the measure violates their rights to worship freely. The lawsuit was filed by Berean Baptist Church and its founding pastor Ronnie Baity, located in Winston-Salem and People’s Baptist Church in Greenville. “Freedoms curbed eventually becomes no freedom at all,” said Baity at a rally of hundreds of people next to the Legislative Building.

Several Christians were seen praying at Thursday’s rally in the state capital Raleigh. They also urged to rescind his executive order prohibiting churches from holding indoor worship services attended by more than ten people. It comes amid a broader debate among churches in the United States whether to observe lockdowns that have crippled the economy.

Cooper’s office says the newest order permits services to “take place outdoors unless impossible.” It carries only a narrow exception, such as when religious activities dictate, they occur indoors with more people.

Cooper, a routine churchgoer, said his orders “had been drawn carefully to recognize First Amendment protections” and would ultimately end. The governor and health department Secretary Mandy Cohen explained that churches and retailers are different. While store patrons walk up and down aisles, churchgoers usually sit down for long periods. That makes them more susceptible to spread or catch the new coronavirus, they argue.

Amid the tensions, some local sheriffs have reportedly said they wouldn’t fine churches for holding indoor services.