The U.S. Constitution holds little sway with the state government in California or Gov. Gavin Newsome, an ultra-liberal Democrat.

Earlier this month, the California Department of Health issued a “guideline” stating that while churches could still hold services, singing would not be allowed.

What?

That’s correct. Churches in California must “discontinue singing and chanting activities” in the wake of the Chinese coronavirus outbreak in that state.

Previously, Newsome’s administration had ordered religious organizations to shut down to “flatten the curve” for the coronavirus. That order was lifted in late May but Newsome and his team of “scientists” have panicked over the last surge of confirmed cases and instituted the ban on singing in church.

The scientists at the Centers for Disease Control claim that singing can spread the disease as easily as coughing or sneezing.

This comes as Newsome called on 18 counties to ban indoor dining at restaurants.

Obviously, most churches are prudent enough to take steps to stem the pandemic. They sanitize their buildings, space members out in the auditorium and many have gone strictly to online services.

But those are voluntary for the most part. The U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to assemble peacefully. It does not give the government the right to prescribe what you can or cannot do in a church service.

If a church chooses not to sing or chant, that should be their decision.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has taken the right steps in Oklahoma. You gather health officials and advise the public on various courses of action on how to minimize the effect of this pandemic. But ordering church congregations to not sign is a giant overstep by the California governor.