Alabama Just Made It a FELONY to Storm a Church Service and Every State Should Follow

Alabama Passes Landmark Bill Making Church Disruption a Felony After Minnesota Protest Outrage

The Alabama House of Representatives has passed House Bill 363, a sweeping piece of legislation that would make the intentional disruption of a worship service a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The bill passed on Tuesday with a 75 to 27 vote, splitting largely along party lines, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against. It now heads to the Republican controlled state Senate for consideration.

Under HB 363, sponsored by Republican Rep. Greg Barnes of Jasper, a person commits the crime of disrupting a worship service if they "knowingly" enter a church building with the intent to disrupt services and either engage in unlawful protest, riot, disorderly conduct, harass worship participants, or obstruct building access.

No one has the right to disrupt a church service and infringe on their fellow citizens' right to worship freely.

Rep. Greg Barnes, the bill's sponsor, told lawmakers.

A first offense would be classified as a Class C felony, carrying up to 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. A second or subsequent violation would carry a mandatory minimum five year sentence.

The legislation was filed in direct response to a January protest at Cities Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota, where dozens of demonstrators stormed a Sunday service demanding the resignation of a pastor who also serves as a federal immigration agent. Federal charges were filed against some of the protesters under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was among those arrested.

Barnes called the Minnesota incident "unacceptable and disgusting behavior" and pledged that Alabama would not tolerate similar actions.

Not all lawmakers agreed. Democrat Rep. Sam Jones criticized the measure as excessive.

I think the absolute worst place that you could take away a person's right to disagree is in the church.

Rep. Sam Jones argued during floor debate.

A similar bill was introduced in California this month, though passage is considered unlikely in the Democrat controlled legislature.

Alabama Lawmakers Vote to Protect Houses of Worship With Felony Penalties for Disruption

Barnes emphasized that HB 363 is "a religious protection bill that protects all religions, not just churches, synagogues, etc." The bill specifically targets those who knowingly enter a house of worship with the intent to cause disruption, meaning peaceful attendance or even silent protest would not trigger the law.

The bill's passage signals a growing movement across state legislatures to strengthen legal protections for religious worship in the wake of the Minnesota incident. With the Alabama Senate expected to take up the measure soon, supporters are hopeful it will become law before the end of the current legislative session.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let's be crystal clear about what happened in Minnesota. A mob of activists stormed into a house of God on a Sunday morning and terrorized families who were there to worship. Children were present. Elderly congregants were frightened. And somehow, Democrats in Alabama think protecting those worshippers is "overkill."

Imagine for one moment if a group of Christians stormed a mosque during Friday prayers. The entire media establishment would declare it a hate crime before the dust settled. But when it happens to Christians? It's called "disagreement." The hypocrisy is staggering.

Alabama got it right. The freedom to worship without fear of a mob kicking down the doors is not negotiable. Rep. Barnes and every lawmaker who voted yes stood on the side of civilized society. Those who voted no chose the mob. History will remember which side they picked.

Take Action

• Contact your Alabama state senator and urge them to vote YES on HB 363 when it reaches the Senate floor. Find your senator at legislature.state.al.us.
• Share this story on social media to raise awareness about threats to religious freedom in America. Use hashtags #ProtectWorship #ReligiousFreedom #HB363.
• Support churches investing in security measures. Talk to your pastor about safety planning for your own congregation.
• Donate to www.TheShepherdsShield.org to help persecuted Christians around the world and support frontline defenders of the faith.
• Pray for the congregants of Cities Church in Minnesota and all believers who face intimidation for their faith. Organize a prayer meeting at your church to lift up religious liberty.