(Dmytro “Henry” Aleksandrov, Headline USA) A California court ordered a church in the state to pay over $1 million in COVID-19 fines after the church did not enforce a county’s tyrannical social distancing and masking mandates.
According to the Daily Wire, Superior Court Judge Evette Pennypacker ordered Calvary Chapel San Jose to pay $1.2 million in fines after it did not comply with the coronavirus tyranny that was put in place by Santa Clara County. The church stated that these requirements violated their religious freedom.
“It should appear clear to all — regardless of religious affiliation — that wearing a mask while worshiping one’s god and communing with other congregants is a simple, unobtrusive, giving way to protect others while still exercising your right to religious freedom,” Pennypacker wrote.
“Unfortunately, Defendants repeatedly refused to model, much less, enforce this gesture. Instead, they repeatedly flouted their refusal to comply with the Public Health Orders and urged others to do so ‘who cares what the cost,’ including death.”
Church attorney Mariah Gondeiro said that the church will appeal the ruling.
“We look forward to establishing more precedent on appeal that will have far greater implications for the future,” she stated.
On Jan. 10, 2021, Senior Pastor Mike McClure stated his opinion about the infringement on people’s right to worship during his service.
“I think about our government’s infringement on our liberties,” he said.
“We were played. This whole thing, it’s a lie. I mean, not that it’s not a disease. But they’re using it to take control and to stop you and me from worshiping God.”
The court documents also indicated that the county also violated civil liberties by monitoring the cell phone usage of congregants at the church. The Daily Wire reported that the county used “geofencing” to see how many people were at various church services.
“It is unconscionable how much time and money this county has spent surveilling and targeting this church when they should be focused on rebuilding the community,” Gondeiro stated.
According to court documents, the county also sent observers to or around the church about 44 times from August 2020 to January 2021, which cost taxpayers about $219 per hour.
“Throughout the pandemic, California state courts have flouted the 1st amendment right to freedom of worship, and ignored evidence-based medicine,” Jay Bhattacharya, a medical professor at Stanford, said.
“This punitive ruling is outrageous, which the church will certainly appeal. May a wiser judge be found.”
