Americans deserve to know the truth: Far from being heroes, these misguided pastors don’t care about the health and well-being of their communities. They in no way represent mainstream religious leaders, most of whom have done the right thing by temporarily suspending services or moving them online.

The insistence by some government officials that there must be a public expression of faith or it doesn’t count is curious.

“The Orange County Board of Education’s first priority should be educating children – not promoting board members’ religious beliefs,” said Alex J. Luchenitser, AU's associate vice president & associate legal director. “Incorporating prayers or any other religious content into a public school board meeting is a clear violation of religious freedom."