Will Grigg's Liberty Minute

November 26, 2007

Article I, section 3 of the New Jersey State Constitution promises: ?No person shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshiping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience....?

That promise has been nullified for a group of Orthodox Jews residing in the Township of Freehold, New Jersey. For years [ck], Rabbi Avraham Bernstein has conducted Sabbath services in his home each Friday night, as well as on traditional Jewish holidays.

Last February, the municipal government informed Rabbi Avraham that holding such services in his home violated local zoning ordinances. He was issued a legal summons accusing him of illegally operating a house of worship. The Rabbi and his family also learned that the Township government had kept their home and visitors under video surveillance.

It's doubtful that Jews living in Tehran have been treated this inhospitably. No government anywhere in the United States has the authority to criminalize worship.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.