CA Gov. Gavin Newsom has released a detailed 14-page directive ordering churches to drastically change their long-held religious practices, an exercise akin to rewriting the book of Leviticus! Read on to learn what we can do to stop this self-appointed “High Ruler of the Church” in California. -Mat . . .

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Many of those laws and instructions continue to form the basis of modern Christian and Jewish religious practices.

But CA Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided that God’s Word is not enough to govern churches and synagogues. Instead, Gov. Newsom has moved from appointing himself King to now declaring himself to be godlike in his ability to dictate religious practices.

On July 6, in the 14-page California Public Health Order entitled “COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies,” Newsom demands that places of worship replace their own religious practices with his edicts.

The long list of dictates for places of worship includes:

• The removal of Bibles and pamphlets
• The removal or disuse of Sacred fonts, baptismals and vessels
• Instructions on how to wash religious garments
• Directions on how ministers must wash and prepare themselves
• The required reconfiguration of podiums, lecterns, sanctuaries and even church parking lots
• How collection plates must be used, if allowed at all
• How to open and close church doors
• How to greet guests and each other
• Elimination of singing and chanting
• And much more…

Gavin Newsom even decrees how Holy Communion must now be handled!

Newsom’s illegal and unconstitutional orders, in effect, rewrite and replace large portions of the Bible! Newsom apparently thinks he can serve the role of both King and Priest. . . .

His July 6 order clearly states, “this guidance is not intended for…other activities that places of worship may provide.” The directive is ONLY meant to restrict religious worship!

In other words, a church building can serve as a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen or provide counsel on finding a job or applying for unemployment – all with no numerical restrictions – but as soon as the activity becomes religious worship, Newsom’s orders slam the door.

If the ordering of no singing and micromanaging every aspect of worship were not bad enough, on July 13, Newsom banned ALL worship for 80 percent of the state’s population, even in private homes!

Again, non-religious activity is permitted in churches, but the moment a Bible is opened or preaching and worship begin in that same facility, engaging the very same people, that church and its leaders are in violation of Newsom’s orders and face criminal prosecution, $1,000-a-day fines and even imprisonment.

Newsom initially closed churches, calling them “non-essential.” Then he said they could have no more than 100 people – no matter the size of the sanctuary. Then he banned singing and chanting and ordered the details of worship. Then, he banned ALL worship, even in private homes for Bible study and fellowship. . . . .

NO ONE CAN REWRITE THE BIBLE. And no one can change God’s directives for our worship and our lives.

That is why we are fighting in federal court on behalf of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry that has 162 churches in California.

As a legal ministry defending our unalienable right to religious freedom, we know that NO GOVERNMENT FIGURE – NOT EVEN CALIFORNIA KING AND HIGH PRIEST GAVIN NEWSOM – CAN DICTATE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES TO THE CHURCH. . . .

The church cannot be rendered to Caesar, AND it cannot be ordered or directed by Caesar. The church never was subject to Caesar… or to CA Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Liberty Counsel has five federal lawsuits pending defending churches, pastors and churchgoers against the power-mad dictates of the governors of Maine, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and, of course, California. And we are working with several thousand pastors in 44 states.

We anticipate we will need to continue this fight for religious freedom all the way to the Supreme Court. This is THE ONLY WAY we can ensure that no governors or other officials declare themselves kings or gods over the church. We must ensure religious freedom in America remains FREE.

That’s why I am so thankful for the challenge grant that has been established to DOUBLE THE EFFECT OF DONATIONS TO DEFEND PASTORS AND CHURCHES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE MADE TODAY. Supreme Court challenges are lengthy and very expensive. But as you know, we never charge for our services. Most people, especially humble pastors, could never afford a legal defense of such magnitude.

Thank YOU for answering the call to support Liberty Counsel. Please, take a moment RIGHT NOW to contribute to the legal defense of our precious religious freedom. YOUR DONATION WILL BE DOUBLED IN IMPACT by the challenge grant. Please, do not let this opportunity pass you by.

(Excerpt from Liberty Counsel. Article by Matt Staver. Photo Credit: ASF Logistics.)

Share your prayers in the comments below for continued religious freedom in this nation and against Governor Newsom’s strategies. . .