CHRISTIAN NEWS NETWORK/ Heather Clark-
A bill presented in the Arkansas legislature would prohibit the State from closing churches or prohibiting religious gatherings during disasters and emergencies, while also upholding the States’ right to issue safety guidelines that are equally applicable to all.
“Religion provides extensive benefits to the country by meeting the spiritual needs of the populace and by supporting vital social needs, including without limitation social services, health care, and economic activity,” reads House Bill 1211, presented by Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, and Senator Kim Hammer, R-Benton.
It cites Supreme Court and federal appeal circuit precedent, including last year’s Sixth Circuit ruling against the State of Kentucky, which declared, “The government may not permit ‘life-sustaining’ operations to continue during a state of emergency without also permitting ‘soul sustaining’ operations such as religious services to continue, especially when the religious services ‘adhere to all the public health guidelines required of the other services.’” Continue reading…
