The Supreme Court has once again ruled against pandemic-related restrictions that impacted in-home religious gatherings, like prayer meetings and Bible studies.
In a split 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court said a California restriction prohibiting more than three households from gathering indoors is likely unconstitutional because the state seemingly favors secular activities with fewer restrictions.
The majority opinion stated – “California treats some comparable secular activities more favorably than at-home religious exercise, permitting hair salons, retail stores, personal care services, movie theaters, private suites at sporting events and concerts, and indoor restaurants to bring together more than three households at a time.”
The opinion explained, “Applicants are likely to succeed on the merits of their free exercise claim; they are irreparably harmed by the loss of free exercise rights ‘for even minimal periods of time’; and the State has not shown that ‘public health would be imperiled’ by employing less restrictive measures.”
In fact, the majority opinion declared that public health measures demand scrutiny “whenever they treat any comparable secular activity more favorably than religious exercise.”
Notably, Chief Justice John Roberts did not sign the minority opinion, but joined his liberal colleagues by saying he would have allowed the lower court’s ruling to stand.