A federal judge has ruled that a southern Oregon city can’t limit a local church’s homeless meal services.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Clarke found that an ordinance passed by the small city of Brookings, on the southern Oregon coast, violated the religious freedom rights of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, KGW reported. He issued his opinion on Wednesday.

The 2021 ordinance limited the church’s homeless meal services to two days a week, and required a permit to serve free food in residential areas. It was passed in response to resident complaints.

The church sued the city in 2022, saying the ordinance violated its right to freely practice religion.

  • stoly@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    What’s amazing here is that some Karen/Chad had to complain about it to other Karens and Chads who then enacted this hateful law.

    • Dkarma@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      What’s amazing here is that a judge thinks feeding people is a religious belief.

      • stoly@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        I don’t see that as a stretch. Religions throughout history have held that we must act altruistically and help others, though adherents often don’t respect that part of it all. For reference, I am a strict atheist.

      • BreakDecks@lemmy.ml
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        9 months ago

        It absolutely is if you follow the word of Christ. Unfortunately, most self-proclaimed Christians reject the word of Christ.