There is a coordinated effort to empty our churches and silence God's faithful in this pivotal election year. Religious freedom in America literally hangs in the balance.

This week begins another challenging round of defending America's religious freedom and protecting the houses of worship, pastors and churchgoers whose rights have been systematically stolen by democrat governors and local officials.

That's why I'm so thankful for the generous challenge grant established by a longtime supporter. This challenge grant will make every donation made today DOUBLE in impact, effectively making YOUR impact on protecting and preserving America's religious freedom much greater.

Donate in support of the Liberty Counsel Litigation Fund and have YOUR DONATION DOUBLED IN IMPACT through the challenge grant!

Sadly, America's religious freedom is under attack from all sides.

On July 1, literally as protestors continued to fill California streets en masse chanting songs of revolution, hatred and destruction, CA Gov. Gavin Newsom banned all forms of singing or chanting in houses of worship! This ban ONLY applies to houses of worship, not the throngs of violent revolutionaries mobbing California's streets.

"*Places of worship must therefore discontinue singing and chanting activities and limit indoor attendance to 25% of building capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower." – California Department of Health. (July 1, 2020). COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies. Sacramento, CA. CDOH

In California, it is perfectly fine to chant about killing cops, but not about the love of Christ.

Under the First Amendment, no government may dictate the form or manner of worship. Neither can any level of government restrict any other aspect of religious freedom – including limiting the number of attendees -- when other secular meetings have little or no restrictions. Therefore, a ban on singing or chanting during worship is patently illegal.

While some might consider Gov. Newsom's ban a trivial matter, for many, singing and chanting is a central tenant of worship. Monks chant vespers. Priests and Rabbis sing their blessings over communion and seder dinners. Evangelicals often come together for a time of worshipful song to prepare their hearts and minds to receive a sermon.

For the religious faithful and more, chanting and singing are far more than musical entertainment -- these actions are a central tenant of faith and communion with the Lord.

The Bible says: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16 (emphasis added).

Gov. Newsom is certainly not the only governor illegally restricting churches. As you know from my previous emails, we have filed suit against the governors of Illinois, Kentucky, Maine and Virginia for similar illegal and unconstitutional restrictions. Not surprisingly, each of the governors are pro-abortion. They don't respect life, nor do they respect religious freedom. But these governors are not alone in their attempts to silence America's religious people.

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The New York Times ran a headline late last week claiming that churches were a "major source" of the COVID outbreak. However, a quick check of the statistics cited by the aging fake-news machine don't measure up to the NY Times' claim. According to those numbers, churches MAY account for just 0.02% of all infections – a whopping 650 people out of 331 million nationwide.

Further, that number is not accurate because there is no way to conclusively tie COVID cases to church visits, as attendees could have caught the bug at a gas station, grocery store or any of the other "essential services" outside of churches. The same media try to convince us that thousands can gather for mass protests without catching the virus. But, somehow, the virus must be as anti-religious as these media and target only worshippers!

But here's the shocker – the NY Times super-scare 0.02% number? Well, that is just 650 people...in a country of 331 million people and around 500,000 churches coast to coast.

Just as when Chicago's Mayor Lightfoot towed and impounded all the cars around our client Elim Romanian Church...

Just as when police cars took up residence at our clients Maryville Baptist Church of Kentucky as well as Lighthouse Fellowship Church of Chincoteague Island, VA, as a warning that attendees would face quarantines and or criminal charges...

Just as CA Gov. Newsom encouraged protestors but banned church singing with threats of action against the churches...

The anti-God radicals are trying to scare America's faithful away from church. And government officials are using their illegal, unconstitutional orders and drastic sanctions to cement control over our lives.

Thank God for YOU, the loyal Liberty Counsel supporter! Without YOU, we would not be able to provide free legal services and defenses to embattled churches and beleaguered pastors – many of whom are facing criminal charges just for opening their churches.

YOUR GENEROSITY KEEPS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FREE!

Please, take advantage of the incredible blessing the new challenge grant represents. Your donation today will DOUBLE your ability to help keep religious freedom free. Please, give your best possible gift today.

Donate in support of the Liberty Counsel Litigation Fund and have YOUR DONATION DOUBLED IN IMPACT through the challenge grant!

In Christ,

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman

P.S. Are you as tired of these shutdowns as we are? Take a moment to fax all 50 Governors and tell them NO MORE TYRANNY! Select here.

P.P.S. Don't forget! The challenge grant will only DOUBLE your impact for a limited time. Please, donate TODAY and have your gift effectively doubled before this wonderful blessing is retired! Select here or the graphic below.