Churches Could Play Leading Role
In Reopening America
New York Sun,
by
Ira Stoll
Original Article
Posted By: Toledo,
4/15/2020 8:15:03 AM
In the fight between the governors and President Trump over who has the authority to re-open America, the politicians have it wrong. It’s not the politicians who have the power to re-open America, or at least the parts that are now closed. It’s individuals, families, businesses, and religious congregations.
The politicians can help by eventually lifting lockdown orders and school closures. That will make it easier for individuals, families, businesses, and religious congregations to resume more normal patterns of activity without the hassle of a legal challenge.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
franq 4/15/2020 8:41:44 AM (No. 380152)
Could, but won't. Too much negative publicity and liability.
7 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
Strike3 4/15/2020 9:13:50 AM (No. 380189)
This would be a good time for failing churches to stand up and regain some credibility. Challenge the dictators on Constitutional grounds. They can't arrest everybody and I think that tickets given out so far for straying outside our fences will be thrown out of court.
7 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
MuncsSister 4/15/2020 9:24:00 AM (No. 380212)
Correct #1. They are scared.
Pope JP II was a member of the resistance in Poland and loved America. I don’t believe he would have stood for this shameless display of fear and lack of faith.
9 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Dodge Boy 4/15/2020 9:52:15 AM (No. 380251)
I thought there was this thing referred to as separation of church and state as defined in Article 6 of the United States Constitution and the First Amendment to the Constitution. In the case of the First Amendments, the government is not supposed to make any laws that prevent assembly at churches. I am surprised that the American public has been accepting of the church closures.
I also thought that churches are exempt from paying property taxes which in and of itself, should make churches exempt from government dictates.
Obviously, a dangerous precedence is being set here.
6 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
LadyHen 4/15/2020 10:11:20 AM (No. 380285)
Yes #4. Churches should decide themselves what the appropriate action is. The government should have no say in the matter at all, period. The government dictating terms to churches, when and how they can meet and more importantly how they will worship, is completely unConstiutional AND very dangerous.
Someone said "but you can praise the Lord anytime." Well yes, but some of us actually belong to old traditional churches that have a set liturgical life, a life we have maintained through war, pestilence, plagues, persecution, and even unto matyrdom. These seasons and cycles of church life are vitally important to us. While ritual may be meaningless to some, it is vital to others. And if government gets to dictate how and when that ritual is or is not celebrated, we have crossed a very deadly line.
5 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
Lawsy0 4/15/2020 10:13:34 AM (No. 380289)
Those active in their churches are already doing those things. Most churches don't need to be prompted to do for their communities. Aside from a fundamental right guaranteed by the US Constitution, worshiping is an essential service. If smart enough to attend church or shul, you are smart enough to be mindful of how infections start. While we obey authority, we also obey Hebrews 10:25. (Don't fall for the church/state argument if you haven't read Jefferson's letter to Danbury Baptists on Jan. 1. 1802.)
3 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
sanspeur 4/15/2020 10:46:00 AM (No. 380328)
be careful here . Some “churches” are merely money laundering ops . Look at the illegal alien relocation program ( spit) . In the dead of night transporting / housing / feeding illegals all over the US without citizen approval or oversight . and BTW , making oodles of $$$$ . The loaves & fishes miracle became big biz and population management .
0 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
Penney 4/15/2020 11:30:40 PM (No. 381091)
During the past few decades the Government has over-regulated and marginalized the churches' benevolences and outreach throughout our communities, -activities which had always previously been respected, appreciated and encouraged in America. Personal matters of faith had been a vital motivation throughout American history, as noted by de Tocqueville in 1832. In fact, he wrote that America's successes and undeniable goodness emanated from its communities with their many churches. But just a few decades ago, the Government began usurping the benevolent actions & outreach of the churches by taking over those things. The result of this shift of responsibilities from the church to the state/BIG Government is not working out well.
The Constituution's first assurance in the First Ammendment is the freedom of religion because the Founders valued its vital importance to this country and they also knew that Government must be restrained less it grow and stifle Liberty. It has served us well to value this Wisdom these past centuries of our national history. Yet now we must be reminded to let people worship & serve others while the Government should confine itself to its Constitutional duties. That is the true meaning of, ''separation of church and state,'' mentioned in a Jefferson letter, not the Constitution.
1 person likes this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
judy 4/16/2020 5:30:07 AM (No. 381205)
I heard someone call in & say ... we should all show up tomorrow for work & see how the state governments react!
2 people like this.
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