Churches Push Back Against Coronavirus Restrictions

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Religious leaders in Europe and the U.S. are pushing back harder against coronavirus restrictions than during the pandemic’s first wave, invoking their right to religious freedom and arguing churches are safe.

Protests in France and Britain, where bans on communal worship are now in place, have brought governments to the negotiating table with religious leaders. The Catholic diocese of Brooklyn, one of the largest in the U.S., is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court against numerical limits on worshipers.

Church leaders were largely deferential during the spring lockdowns to curb the spread of Covid-19. Many are taking a different tack now, convinced churches shouldn’t be treated more strictly than secular activities.

“We have demonstrated, by our action, that places of worship and public worship can be made safe from Covid transmission,” wrote a group of British faith leaders to Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this month.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/churches-push-back-against-coronavirus-restrictions/ar-BB1bciXs?li=BBnb7Kz

They're not being treated more strictly. They're being treated the same. The virus is just as communicable in a church as it is in a bar.

[blogslut]

1. They can't make money if nobody shows up, that's the reason they want to stay open

Churches are businesses and they need to abide by health restrictions just like any other business.

[bdamomma]

3. exactly

nt

[gratuitous]

7. Our congregation is doing fine

We meet by Zoom conference for worship every week, and people are asked to send in their offerings by check. We're easily meeting our budget week by week (about $100,000 annually) and able to fund our outreach (that whole feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and housing the homeless jazz).

There are dozens and dozens of churches handling their affairs responsibly and not spreading infection, but those congregations don't make for sensational headlines. We just quietly go about our ministry because that's what we've always done.

[Mariana]

2. Churches are pestholes. nt.

[Arne]

4. In Greece they pass a spoon to everyone.

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=greek+orthodox+communion&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

[apnu]

5. They gotta keep them collection plates floating around the room.

Its all about money folks. Don't ever let any church say otherwise.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

6. the church I work at has been convening outdoors.

They are socially distanced even without the virus. Sad part is as a paid singer the choir isn't allowed back for two reasons - singing is a spreader and they are financially stressed. But people want their rituals. And the Episcopal church is fab for rituals.