Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves released a statement on Thursday condemning the burning of a church that had opposed the restrictions put in place concerning the spread of the coronavirus. The church had filed a lawsuit against the state for its prohibition on large gatherings. Reeves took to Twitter and stated that he was both “heartbroken and furious” with the shameful action that was taken against the church. “What’s this pandemic doing to us?” he asked in his post. “We need prayer for this country.” Here’s more on this from The Washington Examiner: The church, First Pentecostal Church in Holly Springs, burned to the ground sometime early Wednesday morning, according to police. Grafitti was found in the parking lot reading, “I Bet you stay home now you hypokrits.” The burning is being investigated as arson. “We’re in a time where I don’t think it’s any secret that there’s a growing hostility toward churches, across the board,” Thomas More Society senior counsel and lawyer for the church Stephen Crampton told Fox News. “And now, here are churches like First Pentecostal that are sort of stirring up the waters by being outspoken and somewhat firm about seeking to protect their constitutional rights.” The church had filed a lawsuit back in April after the pastor of the congregation was given a ticket for holding a drive-in service on Easter, which happens to be one of the most important holidays for Christians, who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on that day. This belief is the foundation of the Christian faith and it is shameful to not be able to celebrate it together with other believers. Especially when this church was willing to compromise and simply worship from their vehicles and maintain social distancing guidelines. A district attorney later ruled in favor…

Phase 2 of California’s plan to reopen officially kicked off on Friday, but that part of the plan still didn’t allow for the opening of houses of worship for in-person services, something that clearly violates the First Amendment rights of the citizens of the state. While Gov. Gavin Newsom has done his best to strike at the heart of the Constitution by instituting strict stay-at-home orders in the name of safety and security, true patriots have stood up and said enough is enough. Several thousand church leaders in California have stated that they are now planning to reopen for services regardless of what Newsom says about it. They are joined in their defiance by a long list of sheriffs who are actually taking up the mantle to defend the Constitution. Here’s more from Washington Examiner: California Church United, a network of 3,000 California churches, representing 2.5 million members, announced it plans to open May 31, instead of waiting until the state implements phase 3, which includes allowing modified reopening of houses of worship. Many churches are reopening nationwide on May 31, a date specifically chosen because it falls on the Day of Pentecost, a significant date on the Christian calendar. Some plan to open Sunday, May 10. “Our churches are part of the answer, not part of the problem,” Danny Carroll, senior pastor at Water of Life Community Church, said at a news conference held at the Water of Life mega church in Fontana, Calif. “We’re an essential part of this whole journey and we’ve been bypassed … kicked to the curb and deemed nonessential,” Carroll said. Gov. Newsom has acknowledged the work put forth by folks in various faith communities in helping to care for the homeless and others who are in need during the crisis in a press…