Capitol Hill Baptist Sues Washington D.C. Over First Amendment Violations

The double standard between protests and church gatherings have always been stark.

Now, Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. has sued the nation’s capital for encouraging large protests while restricting the congregation’s outdoor gatherings to below 100 people. The 1,000 member church is led by prominent pastor Mark Denver. 

The lawsuit notes the state allowed protests of thousands of people. Mayor Muriel Bowser attended a massive rally in June. The church recognizes the protests are constitutional, and implores for churches to be treated the same. “The First Amendment protects both mass protests and religious worship,” the lawsuit states. 

“The Church takes no issue with Defendants’ decision to permit these gatherings, which are themselves protected by the First Amendment, and the Church supports this exercise of First Amendment rights,” the suit continued. “The Church does, however, take exception to Defendants’ decision to favor certain expressive gatherings over others.”

Denver has been against the multi-service, online service model many churches have been favoring. Instead, he believes in the importance of church gathering with the entire congregation.

“Ultimately, the church is not something we want to be in as a building,” said Dever, speaking in a video filmed in the spring. “It’s a people we want to be with. That’s why we Christians always gather, so that we can be with the people of God and do the things that Jesus has called us to do.”

In June and September, Capitol Hill Baptist submitted a request for a waiver to the strict Wuhan Flu restrictions. However the mayor’s office didn’t respond. The waiver cited religious convictions requiring in person meetings. 

Capitol Hill Baptist has been meeting in a field outside a Virginia church for the last few months. The church now wants to meet in outdoor venues, however can’t without a waiver. 

According to the Washington Post, last week, the church held a vote on whether or not they should pursue litigation. The vote ended with 402 members in favor, and 35 against. However no members were strongly opposed. 

Capitol Hill Baptist is by no means the first church to struggle with Wuhan Flu guidelines. In June a New York judge ruled in favor of churches, as I have previously written about. 

Hebrews 2:12 says, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” Hopefully soon the members of churches all across America will be able to meet safely in person, without having to praise over Zoom.

Hat Tip: Washington Post, Christianity Today

Image Credit: Pixnio