We’re apparently dictating Constitutional Rights by polls now
Poll: Most in US back curbing in-person worship amid virus
While the White House looks ahead to reopening houses of worship, most Americans think in-person religious services should be barred or allowed only with limits during the coronavirus pandemic — and only about a third say that prohibiting in-person services violates religious freedom, a new poll finds. (snip)
Just 9% of Americans think in-person religious services should be permitted without restrictions, while 42% think they should be allowed with restrictions, and 48% think they should not be allowed at all, the poll shows. Even among Americans who identify with a religion, 45% say in-person services shouldn’t be allowed at all.
White evangelical Protestants, however, are particularly likely to think that in-person services should be allowed in some form, with just 35% saying they should be completely prohibited. Close to half – 46% — also say they think prohibiting those services violates religious freedom.
Um, it rather does violate it. It’s baked into the First Amendment, and every state Constitution says something similar. Notice that the 1st Amendment actually starts out with Freedom of Religion (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof) before speech, press, protesting. Government has no authority to stop worship. They can certainly ask the leaders to only hold services using social distancing, but, dictating it? No.
The Justice Department last month sided with a Mississippi church in its legal challenge to local limits on drive-in worship. Still, the poll found 56% of Americans say prohibiting drive-in services does not violate religious freedom.
Are Constitutional Rights are not up for polling.
