Are Churches Essential?
Recently President Donald Trump has given State governors the green light to reopen houses of worship and the power to override governors who fail to do so. 1They have been deemed places that provide essential services. As A Christian I agree that provide aid to the community such as outreach to the poor, prayer for the sick among other things to reach to the community.
Christians are instructed to ‘Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” Heb 10:25 ESV. And unity among believers is crucial at a time such as this. Not to mention in North America there is the freedom of religion. But there are some factors to consider.
First is what exactly is meant by the church. We in society tend to think of churches as buildings with steeples and stained glass windows. However, the church refers to the body of believers as it comes from the Greek word Ekklesia meaning assembly. Church can also refer a body of believers of a specific denomination or congregation. The places we meet at are actually church buildings.
We also have to look at the big picture as many worshippers are the most vulnerable in our society. Especially, the elderly who are the most likely to get the COVID-19 virus as well as our young. It is really worth it to put them at risk in the name of religious liberty. Not to mention to put the extra burden on the healthcare system and their workers.
It is not like there aren’t opportunities to worship especially when many congregations can watch their services online via Facebook , YouTube, Zoom etc.. And some congregations are having drive-in services and there are various activities happening during the week online. I know that there are some small congregations that have no online presence and many who have no online access. However, some are still finding a way as a pastor in my home town has been mailing bulletins and reaching members with phone calls.2Not to many people are still not likely to put their lives at risk.
There no doubt a political agenda as President Trump and several republican governors rely on heavy support from evangelicals as 80 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump. Also,it helps to explains why churches Aredeemed essential but schools are not as you would figure schools especially primary and high would be deemed essential.(I guess teachers unions are not strong Republican supporters).
In my country Canada no Premier and the Prime Minister have made a proclamation such as this. But our neighbours down south could be setting a prescient that other Western nations may follow. Even if this is not the case a second wave in the US would really hurt us as well as we are one of their biggest trading partners.
I don’t think that are houses of worship are essential in a time when it is to risky to put a lot of lives in jeopardy especially when they are ways of worshipping our Lord. I feel that the a government should have it’s citizens best interests at heart. Also, as countries reopen after this lockdown should do so slowly and with caution to prevent a second wave.
1. CTV News Trump deems churches essential calls for them to reopen 22 May 2020
2.Orillia Matters Faith, technology are salvation for local churches during pandemic. Evans,Tyler 24 May 2020
Christians are instructed to ‘Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” Heb 10:25 ESV. And unity among believers is crucial at a time such as this. Not to mention in North America there is the freedom of religion. But there are some factors to consider.
First is what exactly is meant by the church. We in society tend to think of churches as buildings with steeples and stained glass windows. However, the church refers to the body of believers as it comes from the Greek word Ekklesia meaning assembly. Church can also refer a body of believers of a specific denomination or congregation. The places we meet at are actually church buildings.
We also have to look at the big picture as many worshippers are the most vulnerable in our society. Especially, the elderly who are the most likely to get the COVID-19 virus as well as our young. It is really worth it to put them at risk in the name of religious liberty. Not to mention to put the extra burden on the healthcare system and their workers.
It is not like there aren’t opportunities to worship especially when many congregations can watch their services online via Facebook , YouTube, Zoom etc.. And some congregations are having drive-in services and there are various activities happening during the week online. I know that there are some small congregations that have no online presence and many who have no online access. However, some are still finding a way as a pastor in my home town has been mailing bulletins and reaching members with phone calls.2Not to many people are still not likely to put their lives at risk.
There no doubt a political agenda as President Trump and several republican governors rely on heavy support from evangelicals as 80 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump. Also,it helps to explains why churches Aredeemed essential but schools are not as you would figure schools especially primary and high would be deemed essential.(I guess teachers unions are not strong Republican supporters).
In my country Canada no Premier and the Prime Minister have made a proclamation such as this. But our neighbours down south could be setting a prescient that other Western nations may follow. Even if this is not the case a second wave in the US would really hurt us as well as we are one of their biggest trading partners.
I don’t think that are houses of worship are essential in a time when it is to risky to put a lot of lives in jeopardy especially when they are ways of worshipping our Lord. I feel that the a government should have it’s citizens best interests at heart. Also, as countries reopen after this lockdown should do so slowly and with caution to prevent a second wave.
1. CTV News Trump deems churches essential calls for them to reopen 22 May 2020
2.Orillia Matters Faith, technology are salvation for local churches during pandemic. Evans,Tyler 24 May 2020
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