https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20ENR/hB/HB3040%20ENR.PDF

You will see from the link that this is a residency law. It does not say you cannot attend church.

I agree with you that a state-imposed church ban would be kind of an easy win under the constitution. But we can’t win against hypotheticals as you know.

Allen

This is vague, but from the constitution:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”

Free exercise I guess unless we are on the registry. If we have to find another church, that seems to defy the constitution. Now if it was the church itself asking us to leave, that is one thing, but how can the government tell us we cannot worship when, how and where.

And what about other religions? Will Muslims be banned from certain Mosques? Are Jews who are on the registry going to have to find a new temple? Maybe all of us religious people of all faiths should fight this? If I cannot attend a church of my choosing, that is not freedom.

It’s not the church they are banning. The church is located within the 1000 ft restriction of the park and recreation area of Lufkin. Essentially saying “Pick a different church.”

It is this type of end around legislation that allows more and more to be tacked on. Eventually the whole world will be an exclusion zone.

This could be used to include bars, bowling alleys, theaters, and even restaurants. It’s too ambiguous.

Reformed
The constitution is just a piece of paper that if abused, is nothing more than a tool that tries to hand power over to certain people.
And the lawmakers can make just about any law they wish. Look at all the people they held in detention in South Florida without any lawyers. Most of them were here illegally, but instead of just sending them back to where they came from, they got incarcerated with no recourses to fall on.

Not at all sticking up for illegals, but everyone should be allowed a fair trial or be heard in the court room.

“It’s not a living document. It’s dead, dead, dead.”

– Justice Antonin Scalia, 2013

Cherokee, This is from Texas. Unless you are in Texas, you don’t have standing to challenge it. If you’re looking to do something, join FAC or contribute to our lawsuit. We’re willing to share knowledge, but please consider giving something back to the cause.