- [Jenna] Tonight.

- I wanna see you. I miss you.

- [Jenna] Churches facing new challenges

in reopening their doorsacross the country.

- We're gonna maintainour social distancing.

We're gonna do everything right.

- [Jenna] Plus, White House containment.

- This is probably the safestplace that you can come to.

- [Jenna] As the coronavirushits west wing insiders.

- Uh, it is scary to go to work.

- [Jenna] Plus,

- The question is,

does it apply to who teachesreligion at religious schools?

- [Jenna] The Supreme Court case over

a religious school's rightto fire and hire teachers.

And, the heartwarmingstory of a Navy Seal,

and man's best friend.

All this and more,tonight, on Faith Nation.

(upbeat music)

Should churches reopen?

Welcome to Faith Nation,and thanks for joining us.

I'm Jenna Browder.

That is the question many face

as they begin to reopentheir doors, once again.

In California, the federaljudge has ruled the state's

governor can ban church gatheringsto protect public health,

but a growing number of pastors says

Governor Gavin Newsome has gone too far,

and needs to allow churches to reopen.

CBN's Heather Sells has our top story.

- [Heather] On Sunday, May3rd, Pastor Sam Rodriquez

stood in the parking lotof his Sacramento church,

preaching to hiscongregation in their cars.

He had gone online earlier in the week,

calling on church members to show up.

- It may be selfish.

Whatever.

I wanna see you.

I miss you.

- [Heather] Rodriquez,one of the President's

closest faith advisors, hasa plan to reopen his church

in early June, at 1/3 capacity.

- We're gonna maintainour social distancing.

We're gonna do everything right.

- [Heather] Rodriquez is oneof hundreds of California

pastors making plansto get back to church.

Pastor Jack Hibbs of CalvaryChapel in Chino Hills

is organizing a movementto open on May 31st,

Pentecost Sunday, but thatthinking doesn't mesh with

Governor Newsome's, whocurrently has delayed opening

of churches, until thethird wave of his plan,

which is likely months from now.

Pastor Matt Brown,founder of Sandals Church,

is directly appealing to Newsome.

- What I want from Governor Newsome

is I want him to sit down with me

and I want him to look overour plan at Sandals Church,

and we believe the churchcan meet together safely.

- [Heather] Brown is worried about the

extended physical separation.

Sandals leaders havecalled 20,000 attenders,

and have found many struggling.

- We have all kinds ofemotional issues that

are going on in our church.

We have marital issues in our church.

We're seeing a spike indepression, and suicides,

and drug addiction.

- [Heather] Dr. John Jackson,

the president of a Christiancollege near Sacramento,

says churches must be allowedtheir First Amendment rights.

- If it continues for months and months,

I find it very inappropriate that I can go

to the grocery storeand buy a loaf of bread,

be with all kinds of other people.

I can go to the hardware store,

and buy supplies for my home maintenance,

but I cannot go to a church.

- [Heather] But a federal judge disagrees.

During a church lawsuit, he said that

shoppers going to businessesfor specific items

is different from church-goerscommuning together.

Southern Baptist leader Russel Moore warns

churches should not betreated differently.

- The issue has to besafety, and so I think

there are some areaswhere churches are treated

in a different category thatsees churches as somehow

less essential thanother means of gathering,

and I think that's a real mistake.

- [Heather] President Trump recently said

he wants churches to reopen.

- We have to get ourpeople back to churches,

and we're gonna start doing it soon.

- [Heather] In this new COVID world,

churches and governmentleaders must figure out

how to protect First Amendment rights,

while balancing spiritualand mental health needs,

with physical safety.

Heather Sells, CBN News.

- And joining us nowis Father Thomas Reese.

He is a Jesuit Priest,

and a Senior Analyst atReligion News Service.

Father, it's great to see you.

Thank you for being with us today.

- Good to be with you again.

- So the big questionHeather just posed is

an issue of religious freedom.

How do churches balance, you know,

religious freedom andthis First Amendment issue

with the physical healthand safety of congregants?

- Well, I think this isnot just a legal issue

It is also a moral issue.

We, as church people,

have a moral obligation to protect life,

and we don't want to openchurches if they are going to

put people at risk.

Remember, that in SouthKorea, it was a church

that first introduced the virusto South Korean community.

We want to make sure we don't do that.

So, this is something wehave to be very careful on.

I'm, you know, this comparison of churches

to hardware stores, I think,is very much mistaken.

We are much more liketheaters, or sports events,

where crowds are cometogether in close proximity.

If they allowed theatersto open, and not churches,

I would be very upset.

But grocery stores,where people are spaced,

and come in, and stay

for the shortest amountof period possible,

that's not what churches are about.

We're about comingtogether as a community,

in close quarters, for an hour or more.

That's a, we have to bevery careful how we reopen.

- What do you think aresome practical measures,

and ways churches could do this?

Is it wearing masks?

Is it the social distancing component?

Is there a safe way, do you think,

that churches can reopen their doors?

- I think it's all of those things.

It's wearing masks.

It's practicing social distancing,

which means we're gonnahave much fewer people.

We're gonna have much less space

for people in our congregations,

and it's not just how wespace people in the church.

Remember, they're coming into the church.

They're coming through a door, and

you gotta keep six feetapart when you're coming in.

You gotta keep six feet apart

while you're out on thesidewalk waiting to get it in,

and, you know, when the service is over,

we can't all jump upand head for the exits,

like we normally do.

We're gonna have to space and,

it's gonna require usbeing very regimented,

and we're not used to that.

I think it's theoreticallypossible for us to have services

and respect social distancing,but it's not gonna be easy.

This is a logistical nightmare.

You know, ushers aregonna have to act like

sergeant majors and tellingpeople, "No, stay apart!"

- Yeah.

You know, it's definitely,it's changing the way we

talk about things, theway we're going to be

doing things in the future.

If you take the, you know, communion cup

that come churches use, for example,

is this going to be a relicof the past from now on?

- Well it's certainly, during this time,

when we don't have a vaccine, I think,

at least in the CatholicChurch, we have decided

not to have the communioncup during this time.

Other churches, which, youknow, have the individual,

small cups, maybe they can work that out,

but certainly sharing from the same cup

is going to be a thing of the past.

Also, in the CatholicChurch, I don't think were

going to be able to havecommunion on the tongue.

I think that is verydangerous, because saliva,

as we know, is a greatcarrier of the virus,

and, you know, it's especiallyrisky when people have

the virus, but don't show symptoms,

so they can infect otherpeople without even knowing

that they themselves, uh, have the virus.

This is what makes it so dangerous.

- Yeah, dangerous andso difficult, indeed.

Alright, Father Thomas Reese,it's always good to have you.

Thank you and stay safe.

- You too.

Good to be with you.

- Well, to the Supreme Court,

and a case over religious freedom.

The question at hand, whoshould decide who gets to teach

or preach a religion's doctrines,

the faith institution or the government?

The case that went beforethe Supreme Court today

involves the firing ofa fifth grade teacher,

by a California Catholic school.

She wants the governmentto be the final judge,

but the school insists,

the government shouldhave no say in the matter.

Paul Strand has that story.

- Courts have already ruledthat religious bodies alone

have the power to decide about

the hiring and firing of clergy.

In this case the school,Our Lady of Guadalupe,

argues religious teachers alsominister, so the government

should be kept away fromtheir hiring and firing.

- The doctrine is a ministerial exception,

and the question is,

does it apply to who teachesreligion at religious schools?

- Becket Attorney EricRassbach argued the point

to the justices not in thechamber, but over the phone.

- [Eric] Their job, number one,

in their over-riding commitment,

was to teach these kidsto become Catholic,

and to believe in the Catholic faith.

- [Paul] One objection fromJustice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,

was that religiousemployers would get away

without having to follow important laws.

- [Ruth] The breadth of theexemption is staggering.

That is, these people are exempt

from all anti-discrimination laws.

- [Jeffrey] The school'sargument would strip

more than 300,000 layteachers, in religious schools

across the country, of basicemployment law protection.

- [Paul] The school's attorney argued

government should notbe allowed to interfere

with those who minister faith.

The school's defenders pointedout in a brief to the court

how the laid-off teacher, inthis case, was like a minister.

"She taught daily religion classes

"covering core Catholicdoctrine, the sacraments,

"and how to read the Bible; she led daily

"and spontaneous prayerswith and for her students."

- You're teaching them religion

more than they get to spendtime with the parish priest.

You're a minister of the faith.

- [Paul] Verm urges all religiousbelievers to be concerned

about the fate of theministerial exception.

- The right of religious schools to choose

who passes on the faithto the next generation

is important to all faiths,

and if the government candictate who teaches the faith,

then they can decide whatis being taught, as well.

- Strict constitutionalists interpret

the First Amendment as beingall about keeping government

from controlling religion.

They say that's what'sat stake in this case,

keeping the hands of thestate off the church.

Paul Strand, CBN News, Washington.

- Thanks, Paul.

Coming up,

White House insiders testpositive for coronavirus.

We discuss, with out FaithNation political panel.

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- [Narrator] Life is betterwith a good night's sleep.

Get your free DVD or bookletof Protect Your Sleep.

As the world watches from the outside.

- It's a big, diplomatic tug-of-war

here in the Middle East.

- [Narrator] Go inside thestory with Jerusalem Dateline.

- Israeli archeologists aretalking about a discovery

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- [Narrator] Join CBNJerusalem Bureau Chief,

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on the events shaping the world.

- What starts in Isreal, then,

ends up going to other places.

- [Narrator] Watch Jerusalem Dateline,

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It's meant to be lived fully.

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Life in your family.

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Life in your body, mind, and spirit.

Life in your everyday.

At CBN.com, we're takingwhat Jesus said seriously.

We're here to help you discover life.

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- Tonight, new safetymeasures in Washington

as COVID-19 hits the White House.

This as three members ofthe coronavirus task force

are now in self-quarantine.

CBN White Housecorrespondent, Ben Kennedy,

joins us with the latest.

And Ben, Vice President Pence

was also exposed to this virus?

- Well, Jenn, it turns outPence did go to work today,

despite having that close contact.

His staff did release astatement saying that he has been

tested, and he's testednegative each and every day.

This as the White House isnow recommending testing

of more than one millionnursing home residents

and staff in the next two weeks.

Growing concerns aboutinfections at the White House,

after the VP's PressSecretary, Katie Miller,

tested positive, the second person

in the West Wing to do so.

- It is scary to go to work, you know.

I was not part of theWhite House in March.

I think that I'd be a lotsafer if I was sittin' at home

than I would be going to the West Wing,

but, you know, it's atime when people have to

step up and serve their country.

- [Ben] But someadministration officials insist

the people's house is safe.

- I can tell you, this is probably

the safest place that you can come to.

- Well, I'm not worried.

No, I'm not worried.

- [Paul] Dr. AnthonyFauci is in quarantine.

So is CDC Director Robert Redfield,

and FDA Commissioner Steven Hahn.

All three are set to testify Tuesday,

before the Senate via video conference.

Outside D.C., 45 stateshave eased restrictions.

Today, Michigan will open manufacturing.

In Indiana,

bars and restaurants canresume at half-capacity.

This as President Trump continues to push

that it's time to reopen the country.

And in light of the twocases in the West Wing,

the White House now has new guidelines and

recommendations for peoplestopping into the White House.

You'll see more socialdistancing during meetings,

and expect to see White House aides,

and even Secret Service wearing masks.

Jenna?

- Alright, White HouseCorrespondent, Ben Kennedy.

Thank you.

And here now, for our FaithNation political panel.

CBN's Chief PoliticalAnalyst, David Brody.

David, let's talk about thisoutbreak at the White House.

You know, first it wasthe President's valet,

and then an aide to the Vice President,

and three of the nationstop doctors are now

in some form of self-quarantine.

Does all of this undermine

the President's planto reopen the country?

- No, in the short term,it doesn't undermine it.

What is does do is give theWhite House, the West Wing,

and this President a PR headache.

I don't think there'sany question about that,

and so then, you ask yourself,

"So what exactly wouldundermine some of this

"reopening that thePresident wants to do?"

And the answer is, you go to the states,

and if the states are doingbetter after they reopen,

that's a good thing, andwe just look at the data,

and right now you've gotGeorgia looking better,

after, actually after they opened

about a week and a half ago, or so.

Michigan looking better, interms of the death count there.

New York, we know, hasbeen looking better, too.

So, the White House will argue

that they will just lookat the facts rather than

inside the West Wing, specifically, Jenna.

- Now, switching gears here,

former President Obama madewaves over the weekend,

calling the administration'sresponse to the pandemic,

a "absolute chaotic disaster."

The former President has been,

largely, silent really until now, David.

Is this just the tip of the iceberg

as we head further intothe campaign season?

- Yes, I think it is.

I mean Barack Obama and Joe Biden will

tag team this Presidentvirtually, or in person,

or however they're gonna end up doing it

during this campaign season,however that unfolds.

So I just think thisis just the beginning.

Now, having said that, Jenna,

just between you, me, andeverybody listening and watching,

look, it was interesting timing that this

"private phone call" of Barack Obama

talking about President Trump,

and his response to the COVID-19 crisis,

got leaked into the media,just on the same day,

within 24 hours, since thebig news came out about

Michael Flynn and alsoabout Barack Obama's

involvement in the Russianinterference scandal,

as it relates to Obama'sbig Oval Office meeting

with Joe Biden and SusanRice, and all of that.

That has been drowned out becauseof what you just asked me,

which is mission accomplishedfor the Biden campaign.

- Hmm, uh, David, so I knowyou recently interviewed

the President, President Trump's,

former campaign manager, Cory Lewandowski.

He voiced his own concerns about

reopening the country too soon.

I know we have a clip of that.

Let's play that, and thenI wanna get your thoughts.

- [David] This is a gambleby the President, uh,

and yes, he's pushingit off, not pushing off,

but he's saying, "governorsyou've gotta decide."

I get it, but, if this thing comes back,

so to speak, and theinfection rates go up,

and the deaths go upafter some of these states

have opened up, I know he'ssaying governors have to decide,

but this is gonna fall on him.

It's a big gamble here, Cory.

- You're exactly right.

If there is a resurgence,

not just in the nextfour weeks or six weeks,

but as the weather turns again,

if come the fall, inSeptember and October,

we see an uptick again in theCOVID-19 pandemic coming back,

because we didn't handleit right the first time,

we still don't have testing,and we don't have a solution,

that is devastating as an incumbent

President of the United States.

- David your thoughts on--- Look, uh, Jenna, those are--

- Yeah, go ahead.

- Well, no please, ladies,alright, no no, I'll do it.

Look, I think that these were strong words

by Cory Lewandowski as Senior Advisor

to the Trump 2020 campaign,actually saying that

the President of the UnitedStates could be in big time

trouble if this doesn't work out.

Look, that's a problem,that's a danger sign.

Folks need to listen to Cory Lewandoski

within the West Wing on that,so I think that's important,

but look, it's kind of interesting, Jenna.

All along we talked about,and Democrats were all excited

about how impeachment wasgonna be Trump's undoing.

Forget about it.

Impeachment looks like aslow news day, at this point.

It's not about impeachment, anymore.

What it's about is howthis president handles

the coronavirus, from here onout, and that will determine

the fate of his presidency,

whether or not he gets a second term,

even though, he'll disagree.

He says that won't be thewhole kit and caboodle.

- Alright David, we gotta scoot.

- I bet you it will be.

- Okay, thanks David.

Up next, the heartwarmingstory of man's best friend,

how dogs are helpingtroops during the pandemic.

- [Narrator] On October1st, 1961, history was made

when a tiny station begantransmitting the first signals

of the Christian Broadcasting Network.

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with the all new CBN News Channel.

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Jesus said it, "I came to give you life,

"life to the fullest."

Life in your family.

Life in your finances.

Life in your body, mind, and spirit.

Life in your everyday.

At CBN.com, we're takingwhat Jesus said seriously.

We're here to help you discover life.

Life, live it fully.

CBN.com

- The almost 20 year war on terror

has claimed many American casualties.

For those surviving theirtime on the front lines,

sharing their stories can be therapeutic.

That includes for formerNavy Seal Will Chesney,

who participated in the mission

to take down Osama Bin Laden.

He's now written aboutthat, with a unique twist.

CBN National SecurityCorrespondent, Eric Phillips,

joins us with that story.

Eric?

- The title of Chesney'sbook, "No Ordinary Dog,"

gives an indication of that twist.

It focuses on hisfour-legged partner, Cairo,

as much as himself, if not more.

In a one-on-one interview,the author explained

how Cairo saved his lifein more than one way.

So we decided to highlight the major role

working dogs play in our military.

- You know, I don't liketalking about myself,

but I'll talk about Cairo.

He's pretty easy to talk about.

- [Eric] 36 year old retiredNavy Seal, Will Chesney,

says he's always had a love for dogs,

and knew, as a teenager, hewanted to be a Navy Seal.

It wasn't until years later,after achieving that goal,

that his two loves came together,

after hearing the testimonialsof military dog handlers.

- "Raise your hand if adog's ever saved your life,"

and everybody's hand justwent up, pretty much.

First time I met Cairo was at Dam Neck,

at the training facility.

And I remember him comingout towards the bunkers

that we were working on,and he was good-looking,

laid back, calm dog, had a great bite.

He was a really good worker.

I got pretty lucky gettin' him.

- [Eric] Non-stop trainingbuilt trust, relationship,

and a deep dedication.

- We asked these dogs to dosome pretty dangerous stuff,

you know, and sometimes

they lay down their lives to save ours.

- [Eric] That almost happenedduring the 2009 mission

in Afghanistan, when Cairo was shot

while protecting his teammates.

- When I saw him, he collapsed.

I thought he had passed away.

I thought he was dead right there.

- [Eric] But Cairo survived,and went on to take part

in a mission to finallyget Osama Bin Laden,

the infamous master-mind behind 9/11.

- My job that night was todo a sweep to the perimeter,

putting the dog in the bestposition to find an explosives

or tunnel systems.

I like to say, I was justthere to babysit Cairo,

pretty much, and let him do all the work.

And then, I remember, I'llnever forget when we landed,

just looking around andseeing that everybody

was still alive and okay,

and we had accomplisheda mission, you know.

I got to do it with my dog.

- [Eric] Assignments thentook Chesney and Cairo

in different directions.

About a year later, agrenade blast left Chesney

with a brain injury andpost-traumatic stress,

resulting in a difficultdischarge from the Navy.

By then, Cairo was alsoreaching the end of his career,

and Chesney was able to bring him home.

- Cairo was huge part in, I would think,

getting me through thetough times, as well.

Cairo helped me get throughsome really tough times.

- [Eric] After watchingCairo suffer from cancer,

Chesney had him put down in 2015.

He says he wrote "No OrdinaryDog" to honor Cairo's memory,

while also bringing attentionto military working dogs,

and service animals in general.

- He took care of me, I took care of him,

and I just wanna tell the Cairo story.

- The ultimate love story between man,

and man's best friend, andanimals continue to play

an integral role for our service members.

Just last week, the defensedepartment highlighted

how our troops, helpingthe fight against COVID-19

in New York, are receivingstress therapy from animals

provided by the organizationPuppies Behind Bars.

It's why Chesney said, evenwith shrapnel still in his body,

he will continue to advocate for animals

who assist and protect ourmilitary and first responders.

He believes Cairo would be proud.

Eric Phillips, CBN News.