A local pastor in Fresno, CA held a press conference yesterday announcing his plan to re-open his church despite Governor Newsom’s lockdown orders.

“The city has announced it plans to reopen essential businesses,” Pastor Jim Franklin, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church said during the conference, “As important as being able to buy clothes, have your pets groomed, or get a hair-cut, we believe a person’s spiritual health is essential and should be authorized.”

Why is it that Walmart can remain open for shoppers as long as they practice social distancing but churches must go online? How is it Constitutionally proper to say that liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, big box stores, even art, and craft outlets can remain open for business and have their parking lots full and hundreds of people gather under their roof under social distancing guidelines but churches under the same guidelines cannot open their doors?