- [Paul] The most recentincident involves the arrest

of well-known megachurchPastor Rodney Howard-Browne

for holding a service at his Tampa church.

Liberty Counsel's toplawyer's representing Brown

and says the pastor's churchwent way out of its way

to make the service safe.

- This church requireda six-foot distance,

required sanitizing, requiredthe wearing of gloves

and also purchased over$100,000 of special high-grade

air purification systems.

- [Paul] In New YorkCity, Mayor Bill de Blasio

has threatened to permanentlyshut down churches

or synagogues thatcontinue to hold services.

And President Trump iswarning congregations

against congregating.

- Well, my biggest disappointment is

that churches can'tmeet in a time of need.

And yet, if you do that,if you do it close,

you're really giving this invisible enemy

a very big advantage.

- [Paul] Religious rightsreporter Todd Starnes

told "CBN Newswatch" about afrightening police presence

outside an Illinois church.

- The local sheriff's department showed up

and they were actually countingcars in the parking lot

and they were photographinglicense plates of people.

We had a report fromLouisiana where they were told

that if they did notshut down their services,

the National Guard would be coming in.

- [Paul] Staver says authorities need

to guard religious libertyas well as people's health.

- This is a major constitutional issue,

that we have to balance witha scalpel, not a chainsaw

when it comes to protectingpublic health and safety.

There's a way to do bothwithout sacrificing either.

- [Paul] Constitutionalattorney John Whitehead

is appalled at hearing reportsof authorities grabbing guns

and arresting people justfor walking around outside.

- That undermines everythingthe founding fathers gave us

which was our liberties.

And what it means is, youdon't have absolute rights.

The government can just take it away.

- [Paul] But the HeritageFoundation's Cully Stimson

says governors are well withintheir constitutional rights

if it involves going afterpeople whose behavior

could threaten the public's health.

- And I think it's those people

that the governors arerightfully targeting,

and the police will rightfully warn,

and then sternly warnand then give a fine to.

And if ultimately necessary, jail.

- [Paul] The Southern BaptistConvention's Russell Moore

defends the authorities, writing,

"Nowhere, at this point, havewe seen churches targeted

"because of their beliefs or mission."

In fact, he points out,

"This is an area- theprotection of public health-

"where the state has notjust a legal authority

"but an authority granted by God Himself."

Moore concludes, "...concernfor public health

"is not a violation of religious liberty."

- Other states, though,are deciding not to use

the force of law on churches.

Like Ohio.

- Well, I didn't think it wasproper, really, for government

to infringe upon people'sFirst Amendment rights.

- [Paul] Instead, GovernorDeWine has only advised

religious leaders.

- [DeWine] Say, "Look, you're not doing

your folks any favors bybringing them together."

- Church members certainlyare exempt from COVID-19.

Early last month, an Arkansas church

held a children's program, and afterwards,

three visitors and 31 churchmembers tested positive

for the virus,

the church's pastor among them.

He later wrote the congregation,

"The intensity of this virushas been underestimated

"by so many, and I continue to ask

"that each of you take it very seriously."

As for Pastor Rodney Howard Brown,

he announced on Twitter:

"All River members, ifyou can get the word out

and just say "No church on Sunday.

"Pastor said he is protecting his flock.

"Not from the virus butfrom tyrannical government."

- [Paul] Paul Strand, CBN News.