Gov. Beshear had already been warned about interfering with churches in another Kentucky county when he sent the state police to Maryville Baptist Church to break up the church’s outdoor Easter service. Gov. Beshear should have taken that county court’s order against the mayor of Louisville as a clear indication that he dare not harass Christians. Instead, he defiantly put our clients under the equivalent of house arrest for 14 days. Some of the church members even lost their “essential service” jobs. 

Liberty Counsel dragged Gov. Beshear to court. The Court of Appeals granted us two 3-0 emergency injunctions pending appeal. Then the lower federal court granted us a preliminary injunction. Three strikes and you’re out! But not for the defiant Beshear! 

On March 19 and 25, 2020, Gov. Beshear signed executive orders prohibiting ALL religious services in Kentucky, while allowing many secular businesses like liquor stores, abortion clinics, and big-box shopping centers to stay open and operate largely unrestricted. 

As if to emphasize his blatant discrimination against Christians, Beshear further mandated that churches could host innumerable people for food, shelter, or social services like job training, but the very same people, in the very same church building, could not open the Bible, preach the Word, or worship God.

The governor’s own attorney general, Daniel Cameron, filed a brief against him in support of our case. Then, U.S. Attorney General William Barr also warned governors to not violate the First Amendment rights of churches. The courts ruled against Gov. Beshear three times — once in the lower federal court and twice in the Court of Appeals. The two 3-0 appellate rulings led the country and set national precedent.

But Gov. Beshear STILL didn’t care what the Courts ruled!

STOP tyrannical governors who attempt to silence and destroy churches!

During our argument at the Court of Appeals, Beshear insisted that the four judges who ruled against him and his own attorney general were wrong. The governor requested that ALL THESE COURT DECISIONS be reversed so he could once again go after churches. The governor had the gall to insist that he, and he alone, should decide if, when, and how Christians should be allowed to worship God in Kentucky.

As I wrote above, we’ve had to take Gov. Beshear to court FIVE TIMES on this issue. We’ve won every single time, including unanimous 3-0 decisions, scoring the first-in-the-nation injunction against tyrannical governors who tried to unlawfully force churches to close.

Yet, Beshear remains defiant, even five years later!

Our case is now before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Sadly, the only thing that often forces tyrants to abandon their unlawful ways is financial punishment. Gov. Beshear RUINED PEOPLES LIVES over their simple obedience to God. Now he must be made to pay.

For 35 years, Liberty Counsel has been defending life, religious freedom, and the natural family. We’ve won 37 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and countless others before state courts and the U.S. Courts of Appeal. We NEVER charge for our work because most people — and churches — could not afford to defend themselves against anti-Christian governors and governments. And as you can see in this situation, these cases can last for years. Our clients rely on YOU, the faithful Liberty Counsel supporter, to ensure liberty remains free.

A generous supporter has established a special Challenge Grant to support our work. But that grant only kicks in when you do. Every donation made to our legal fund today will be DOUBLED in impact. Even recurring monthly donations will be doubled for the duration of the grant! Please, help us defend the faith with your generous gift today.