Woke enemies of liberty have a lot of things these days that they want to get rid of. (Those enemies are most notably those who call themselves Progressives or Liberals, and whom TPOL believes are accurately described as Regressives, or the aptly-coined “Tranzi” (for Transnational Socialists, like Nazis are National Socialists). But we realize that the so-called Conservatives (right-wing, compassionate or not) have their own list.)

The Second Amendment of course, is most prominent of the targets on their firing range. For decades, we’ve seen more and more conflict over the right to keep and bear arms. Although great strides have been made in recent years about reestablishing the original intent of the US Constitution (and the constitutions of most States), it is a seesaw battle depending on which old party holds power in the Congress, White House, and judicial systems (especially the FedGov). And we see how in many States (Colorado being the one we here at TPOL are most familiar with), the hoploclasts (weapons haters) keep coming up with new ideas to steal away our right to defend ourselves and others.

But we know that the First Amendment is also one of targets of these enemies of liberty.

First, there is the constant drumbeat of outlawing and punishing “offensive language,” despite the seemingly-obvious idea that it is precisely offensive language that needs to be protected as free speech.

Again, those who hope for (we doubt many of them pray for) an end to unrestricted free speech (on the left) constantly come up with new reasons and new ways to prevent free speech. In whatever medium the thoughts which they hate are presented. In this era of AI and related matters, we see that in what is programmed into AI chatbots and image generators. Marx forbid that you ask something that violates their guidelines as far as what can be said or portrayed!

But the attack is directly against religious organizations and practices. More and more places are not just attempted to establish and enforce “Free Speech Zones” – they are also establishing “No Speech Zones” and “No Prayer Zones” (even silent prayer). Such isn’t just something found in socialist England or the growing tyranny of Canada, but here in the States as well.

A North Carolina city is the most recent example we know of. As reported by First Liberty website, the “Town of Troy, North Carolina told True Worship Ministries to stop renting a temporary event space because the church’s gatherings are religious. … It says they’re violating the zoning ordinance because churches are not allowed in the Main Street zone.”

The congregation is working on getting a permanent meeting place, but renting space from a nonprofit that helps minority groups. (The congregation, from photos, appears to be primarily black, if that makes a difference.)

Setting aside definitions of “churches” and “assemblies” and “worship services,” this would indeed seem, as First Liberty points out, clearly unconstitutional. Both per the US Constitution and the North Carolina Constitution.

The lawyers helping this congregation fight the town tell us: ““The city’s ordinances allow theaters, health clubs, libraries, museums, event and wedding venues, auditoriums, stadiums, liquor stores, and bars to operate as a matter of right, yet specifically targets and excludes churches.

“The Town’s prohibition of the Church’s temporary religious gatherings is unconstitutional under the First Amendment… Should the Town continue to persist in its denial of the Church’s right to religious exercise, the Church will pursue all available legal options.”

They add that the town, in addition to the cease-and-desist threat, “has since sent a Warning Citation threatening additional action, including daily fines and other, unspecified enforcement actions, against the church.”

We do note that some christian groups would say that this congregation is sinning by even threatening to take legal action to defend themselves, but should meekly accept the town government’s ruling and (probably) move elsewhere and stop meeting until they find somewhere else. This is, after all, what thousands of congregations did during the COVID-19 beer flu panic. Others would say they should not directly confront the government, but rather, go underground, even literally if necessary.

We believe that direct confrontation with evil is necessary. We see that taught numerous times in the Bible (both Tanakh (Old Testament) and New Testament), both by example and by specific command. Not just, but especially, when it is found in human government.