Amicus Brief Opposing Special Religious Exemptions to Generally Applicable Public Health Measures

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an amicus brief to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals opposing special religious exemptions to generally applicable public health measures. The signatory organizations are religious and civil-rights organizations that share a commitment to preserving the constitutional principles of religious freedom and the separation of religion and government. They believe that the right to worship freely is precious, but that it should never be misused to cause harm. Applying religion-neutral restrictions on large gatherings to religious services both protects the public health and respects the Constitution. There is no right to special religious exemption from laws that shield the public from illness. 

The full brief is attached above in PDF format.