Legal Question in Constitutional Law in California

Worship service to god

Dear Att:

We are not making any trouble at all but we are being discriminated and harassed. The head deacon told us that the next time we insist to go inside to attend the worship service, the Head Deacon threatened us that he will call the police to arrest us on insisting to attend the worship service. He stopped my wife in front of many people and harassed and humiliated her not to enter the building where the worship service is being observed. The head deacon repeatedly told my wife his warning that he will call the police the next time she insisted to attend the worship service. My wife was so embarrased because of the action and gesture of the head deacon.The head deacon told my wife that he was ordered to hold us in attending the worship services anywhere, anytime.

We are church officers before then suddenly expelled with no investigation at all,we are only trying to reveal a lots of violations of rules of the locale leadership and the resident minister to teach the Church Administration when we are still members of this church. But we just want to continue attending the worship services.

Is our constitutional rights to freedom of religion being violated by this church?

Thank you so much.

--name removed--M. Medina


Asked on 8/21/06, 12:47 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Re: Worship service to god

I don't believe your freedom of religion is being interfered with. After all, you have a right to go to any other church of the same denomination. Nevertheless, if you have evidence of improprieties or mismanagement, you have every right to go above the head deacon's head to the district or regional officials.

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Answered on 8/21/06, 2:42 pm
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Worship service to god

The First Amendment prevents the government from interfering with your right to worship freely, but it does not mean you can do so where you are not welcome. Churches are just like any other property, and their leaders can refuse entry to anyone for any (non-discriminatory) reason -- or even for no reason at all. If you enter with the knowledge that you are not welcome then you become a trespasser and can be arrested.

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Answered on 8/21/06, 3:33 pm


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