RELIGIOUS LIBERTY HURT BY GOV'T LOCKDOWN.

Quarantine enforcement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have motivated some state and local officials to impose restrictions that trample religious liberty underfoot, maintains Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association, Tupelo, Miss.

Unlike restrictions imposed by, for instance, sports organizations -such as the NCAA, NBA, NHL, and MLB--these state-mandated measures carry the force of law. "Church and state have an opportunity to work together to reduce the impact of the coronavirus on our communities while encouraging calmness and preserving liberty," says Wildmon.

"Religious institutions must continue to serve their local communities. Religious liberty, which is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution, as well as state constitutions across America, must remain inviolate. Churches and religious institutions have played a central role in caring for their local communities throughout history. The coronavirus pandemic is no exception, especially as churches' communities may be particularly burdened during this time.

'Temporary, evenly applied restrictions may be...