Tag: supreme court

California Fines Church $1.2 Million for Worship; Now the Supreme Court Must Decide if the Constitution Still Stands

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Advocates for Faith & Freedom, in partnership with the American Center for Law & Justice, has filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari asking the United States Supreme Court to overturn more than $1.2 million in fines imposed on Calvary Chapel San Jose and Pastor Mike McClure for the simple act of gathering to worship. This case stands as one of the clearest examples of government overreach against a church in modern American history. During COVID, California forced churches to close, restrict worship, and enforce mandates that violated Calvary Chapel’s sincerely held beliefs. At the very same time, the state allowed widespread exemptions for secular operations such as restaurants, athletic programs, and government offices.

Calvary Chapel chose obedience to Scripture over obedience to shifting political orders. The county retaliated with rapidly escalating fines that soared to $5,000 per day, ultimately exceeding $1.2 million, along with coercive demands for sworn compliance with orders later deemed unconstitutional. In addition to the $1,228,700 judgment, Santa Clara County is seeking $1,098,244 in attorneys’ fees and $45,753 in costs, which remain stayed pending appeal. If imposed, the total financial burden on Calvary Chapel would exceed $2.37 million – a staggering sum designed to punish a church for worshipping God during a crisis. The petition emphasizes that the Supreme Court has already ruled in Tandon v. Newsom that government cannot treat religious gatherings worse than comparable secular activities. California ignored that mandate and continued to target churches. “Government officials may not weaponize emergencies to suspend the First Amendment,” said Erin Mersino, Vice President and Chief of Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation for Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “California imposed some of the most aggressive restrictions on churches in the country, and this case is about ensuring the government never does this again.”

Source: California Fines Church $1.2 Million for Worship; Now the Supreme Court Must Decide if the Constitution Still Stands – Christian Newswire

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10

The Story of a Japanese Wallet; Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Japan wallet analogy draws conservative backlash

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Open brown leather wallet showing card slots and stamped with HANDMADE IN ITALY.

Liberal Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson faced viral backlash from conservatives over a comment during oral arguments about birthright citizenship where she floated an analogy comparing the issue to stealing a wallet in Japan.  “I was thinking, you know, I’m a U.S. citizen and visiting Japan and what it means is that, you know, if I steal someone’s wallet in Japan, the Japanese authorities can arrest me and prosecute me,” Jackson said during Wednesday’s oral arguments centered on President Trump’s 2025 executive order advancing a narrower interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause.

“It’s allegiance, meaning, they can control you as a matter of law. I can also rely on them if my wallet is stolen to, you know, under Japanese law, go and prosecute the person who has stolen it. So there’s this relationship based on, even though I’m a temporary traveler, I’m just on vacation in Japan, I’m still locally owing allegiance in that sense. Is that the right way to think about it? And if so, doesn’t that explain why both temporary residents and undocumented people would have that kind of, quote-unquote, allegiance, just by virtue of being in the United States?”

Source: Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Japan wallet analogy draws conservative backlash | Fox News

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

Supreme Court to hear arguments over Trump’s birthright citizenship order today

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The U.S. Supreme Court building and American flag under a dramatic sunset sky.

Washington — The Supreme Court will convene for arguments Wednesday to consider the legality of President Trump’s executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship. The question in the case, known as Trump v. Barbara, is whether the president’s directive complies with the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause and federal immigration law enacted in 1952. Mr. Trump issued the executive order on the first day of his second term as part of his plans for a sweeping immigration crackdown, but it has not taken effect because of decisions from lower courts finding it is likely unlawful. The White House’s official schedule for Wednesday says Mr. Trump will personally attend the arguments, which, if he follows through, would make him the first sitting president on record to do so.

The president previously said he wanted to attend the oral arguments when the Supreme Court was considering a challenge to his sweeping tariffs in November, but later backed down, writing, “I do not want to distract from the importance of this Decision.” In the lead-up to arguments, Mr. Trump has taken to social media to defend his plan and attacked the courts as “stupid.” In a post to Truth Social in late February, the president claimed the Supreme Court “will find a way to come to the wrong conclusion” in the case.

Source: Supreme Court to hear arguments over Trump’s birthright citizenship order today – CBS News

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
John 3:36

Ireland Out of Gas

Things have been dicey for a while on the Emerald Isle. But great googly moogly, do they look just awful right now. Mass protests have broken out across…

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by Drink of Jesus

No Kings protests returns

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“No Kings” protests returning to cites around the US.

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
Psalm 1:1

Supreme Court Seems Open To Taking Away Key Election Rule Beloved By Dems

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paper with the words postal vote in a typewriter

The Supreme Court seemed open Monday to cracking down on states’ ability to accept mail-in ballots that arrive late. Several justices seemed concerned about the “slippery slope” of counting ballots received after Election Day, raising questions about who can receive ballots and how to address perceptions of fraud. “When do I know whether or not a choice is final?” Justice Clarence Thomas asked Missouri Solicitor General Scott Stewart.

Source: Supreme Court Seems Open To Taking Away Key Election Rule Beloved By Dems | CDN

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Supreme Court weighs whether to allow grace periods for mail ballots

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The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments over a Mississippi law that allows counting late-arriving mail ballots after Election Day.

Source: Supreme Court weighs whether to allow grace periods for mail ballots | AP News

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
1 Peter 4:1

Politics; What Should we do?

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Bible Politics 2

Dear Heavenly Father, place your hand on all of the upcoming elections and the process of the political elections. Help them to look to you for guidance and supervision. In Jesus Name Amen.