The Central Savannah River Area Chapter

and the Houston Chapter of

Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Should There Be Religious Exemptions

from Public Health Requirements?

The Texas constitution was recently amended to exempt religious services from public health restrictions, under any circumstances. Some Texas officials, including Attorney General Paxton, have maintained that religious schools and other religious institutions are exempt on First Amendment grounds from public health orders. Other state and local governments have taken similar positions, and lawsuits challenging restrictions on gatherings or masking or vaccination requirements have been filed across the country. While the pandemic is the current focus, hazardous materials leaks, floods and other disasters could be affected. Our panel will discuss such exemptions and how to approach this issue. 

Dr. Jose A. Vazquez

Infectious disease specialist. Division Chief and Professor of Medicine Infectious Diseases at Augusta University

Andy C. Reese, Ph.D.

Medical ethicist. Emeritus professor of immunology at Medical College of Georgia, co-author of The Doctor's Dilemma--Essentials of Medical Ethics

Rev. Andy Cooke

Co-Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Augusta, GA. Has served various roles in congregations and collegiate campus ministry and leadership roles in the denomination's ascending judicatories over past 20 years

Alex Luchenitser

Associate Vice President and Associate Legal Director of Americans United. Has led AU's efforts during pandemic to fight lawsuits that seek religious exemptions from public health orders, starting with this Harris County case

Thursday, January 20, 2022

7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT via ZOOM

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