California’s continuing actions against Christians have been shocking and I’m greatly concerned that it may grow worse before it gets better. Read on to learn how California is trying to criminalize Christianity. -Mat

California has long been the bellwether for adopting bad public policies that wind up infecting the whole nation. From same-sex “marriage,” to childhood “transgender” surgeries, to heroin needle giveaways, the failures of California’s left-wing politics often grow like a cancer.

Legislation and policies frequently spread far beyond California and wind up infecting more than just “the golden state.” Right now, the clear and present danger developing on the west coast is California’s unbelievable and egregious persecution of Christians. If we let abuses against Christians and churches stand in California, they may well come to other states and churches.

For instance, ...

The Los Angeles mayor has threatened to cut off the power and water of churches as well as any private home that refuses to comply with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s total ban on ALL worship. Another CA city has even threatened to seize and destroy a church!

The City of Pasadena is seeking criminal prosecution of Harvest Rock Church’s head pastor, our client Ché Ahn, because he refuses to close his church’s worship services. Pastor Ahn, the staff and parishioners face daily 1,000-dollar fines and one year in prison for every day his church is open.

Ventura County officials demanded Pastor Rob McCoy be thrown in jail, AND have armed police block the doors of his church because Pastor McCoy refused to close his church.

Santa Clara County officials sent SPIES into North Valley Baptist Church, looking for reasons to fine and close the facility. The church has been assessed fines in excess of 100,000 dollars for singing.

Sadly, these are just a few of the illegal and unconstitutional actions California Christians and pastors face RIGHT NOW.

In most of California, Gov. Newsom has banned ALL worship, even Bible studies and fellowship groups in private homes with anyone who does not live there.

As I mentioned, Liberty Counsel is representing Pastor Ché Ahn, Harvest Rock Church, and Harvest International Ministry and their 162 affiliated California churches. Our case is currently pending at the federal Court of Appeals and may (like our Illinois case defending the Romanian immigrant churches) wind up at the U.S. Supreme Court.

YOUR help is needed to STOP California’s cancerous anti-Christian crusades. Liberty Counsel is aggressively fighting these travesties.

In addition to our federal case in California, we have five other federal cases representing similarly persecuted churches in Maine, Kentucky, Virginia, Colorado and Illinois, where governors appear to be playing out of California’s “Silence the Christians” playbook.

This week we are filing with the U.S. Supreme Court, and next Tuesday, I will be presenting oral argument at a federal Court of Appeals. I’ll share more about these developments soon.

WE MUST WIN THIS FIGHT FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

The fact is, Americans have a right to religious freedom, unencumbered by the demands and edicts of government officials. Not only does the First Amendment guarantee this but settled case law does as well.

The 1947 Supreme Court ruling in Everson v. Board of Education, clearly states: “Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church . . . Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will.” (emphasis added).

Unfortunately, lawless governors and bureaucrats in far too many cities, counties and states don’t like to be restricted by the U.S. Constitution, so they simply pretend those checks against their power do not exist.

No pastor or parishioner in America should be forced to make a choice between worshipping in church or home and sitting in prison.

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Please be in prayer for Pastor Ahn and each of the brave pastors facing fines, arrest and imprisonment for worshipping God. These Christian servants go to bed each night not knowing if they will be taken from their families, their children and their flocks.

Mat Staver
Founder & Chairman

P.S. As I mentioned above, a generous supporter has established a CHALLENGE GRANT which will effectively DOUBLE the impact of your donation today. Please don't let this opportunity to DOUBLE your effective support pass you by. America's pastors and churches are relying on YOU, a faithful Liberty Counsel supporter, to help ensure religious freedom remains FREE! Select here or the graphic below.

P.S. Every Bible-believing American Christian should know their legal rights. That’s why I am offering a FREE download of our “Silence Is Not an Option,” (SINO) DVD and booklet. This vital training details exactly what pastors and churches can do politically. If we had consistently voted biblical values, rogue governors would not be restricting churches today. Arm yourself, your pastor, and your church NOW; before it is too late. Select here to get your "Silence Is Not an Option" download now.