Harvest Rock, which has churches across the state, argued that the health order restricting indoor singing violates religious liberty. Harvest Rock, which has churches across the state, argued that the health order restricting indoor singing violates religious liberty. (Shutterstock) LOS ANGELES, CA — A Pasadena-based church lost its bid in court to overturn Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ban on singing and chanting indoors in places of worship during the pandemic, according to court papers obtained Friday. Harvest Rock, which has 162 member churches statewide took the ban to court alleging it discriminated against the religious freedom clause of the First Amendment. Faith groups have been among the most active groups in challenging health orders in court as an infringement upon liberties. Harvest Rock, which has campuses across Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, contended in court that it "cannot fulfill its vital ministry and sincere religious beliefs without gathering together in person, and that it cannot effectively engage in its constitutionally protected free exercise of religion on the internet." The order stems from findings that indoor singing can serves as "super-spreading" events where unknowingly infected singers project the virus in aerosols that can spread more than six feet indoors. One […]
