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RETURNING TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
To All Pastors,
Let us return to our God-given religious freedom and begin to assemble as the Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25. We as members of the body of Christ have chosen to not assemble during the height of Covid-19; however, as we see the nation returning to normal the first thing we should do is return to our churches.
Gov. Ralph Northam has decreed there will be no religious gatherings until at least June 8th. He has allowed liquor stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, and more to remain open, yet churches cannot even gather with the required social distancing guidelines. We understand that the church has a higher priority since the soul has eternal value; therefore we are calling for a unified opening of our churches in the state of Virginia at the earliest possible date in the month of May. Some churches in Virginia will be opening on Sunday, May 3rd and others on Sunday, May 10th.
If you are of like mind please refer to the initial letter to Gov. Ralph Northam informing him that we are opening our places of worship with reasonable precautions. Please prayerfully consider signing on and sharing this with other pastors.
If you are a pastor or leader of a religious organization and would like to join in signing the letter, please follow one of the two options below:
Option #1
Email (to Del. Dave LaRock) your electronic signature with your name, title, church/organization name, and location to:
Deldlarock@house.virginia.gov
Option #2
Print the letter from this link, sign it under the existing signatures, (including name, affiliation, etc) and mail it to:
The Honorable Ralph S. Northam
Governor of Virginia
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
and
Delegate Dave LaRock
Virginia House of Delegates, 33rd District
P.O. Box 6
Hamilton, VA 20159
*If possible please complete both options.
Additional Resources:
Liberty Counsel memorandum: RIGHTS OF CHURCHES TO MEET FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICES
US Attorney General William P. Barr April 14, 2020 "Statement on Religious Practice and Social Distancing"
US Attorney General William P. Barr April 27, 2020 memorandum "Balancing Public Safety with the Preservation of Civil Rights"
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Constitution of Virginia:
Article I, Section 16. Free exercise of religion; no establishment of religion
That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and, therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other. No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion, and the same shall in nowise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities. And the General Assembly shall not prescribe any religious test whatever, or confer any peculiar privileges or advantages on any sect or denomination, or pass any law requiring or authorizing any religious society, or the people of any district within this Commonwealth, to levy on themselves or others, any tax for the erection or repair of any house of public worship, or for the support of any church or ministry; but it shall be left free to every person to select his religious instructor, and to make for his support such private contract as he shall please.
Constitution of the United States:
Amendment I (ratified December 15, 1791)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of gri