As officials across the country try to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) more and more restrictions and guidelines are being announced on businesses and places people gather.
We applaud Governor Asa Hutchinson for his concern over how restrictions may affect constitutional rights, in particular, the separation of church and state. On Thursday, March 20th, the governor announced additional restrictions and guidelines. In doing so, he acknowledged the separation between church and state and made clear the state was not trying to ban people from attending religious services. At the same time, he expressed his hope religious institutions would find it wise to abide by the restrictions in order to protect their congregations and the public at large.
These are common-sense measures that many are already taking in light of the national emergency and state emergency that we see. But, we also wanted to make it very clear in terms of our churches, and our synagogues, our mosques, we hope that they will continue to make good decisions, and while they make their own judgments and determinations with our separation of church and state we do think that it would be wise that they also abide by these restrictions in terms of limiting the number of people and probably canceling services in most instances and looking for other ways to be able to fellowship, look for creative ways to be able to communicate their message, and so they need to be creative, they need to minister to their congregations with the same innovation that we’re asking businesses to do.[i]
Contrast Governor Hutchinson’s statement with the mess that occurred in Louisiana. Louisiana banned all public gathering of a certain size. A Louisiana pastor and his church defied the order, holding a church service with over three hundred people in attendance. The police showed up after the service and warned the pastor the National Guard would break up any future gathering of over fifty people. The pastor remained defiant saying, “We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says.”[ii]
Governor Hutchinson avoided such a controversy while urging religious institutions to make wise decisions and voluntarily abide by the restrictions. We think all or nearly all will.
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There are two competing voices. Some want the government to do whatever it takes to keep them from getting the virus, even if it means trampling on the constitution. Others, while applauding many of the steps taken to fight the virus, are concerned about constitutional rights, worrying, if government can quash constitutional rights over a virus, what does the future hold.
It is not just religious freedom; we are concerned about how other restrictions impact our other freedoms.
How we respond to the Coronavirus obviously effects our health and economy but also our liberties.
[i] https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=182&v=zgVBoWWCfzQ&feature=emb_logo
[ii] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/louisiana-pastor-holds-church-service-with-hundreds-of-people-despite-governors-coronavirus-ban/
What good are liberties if you’re Dead? Jesus said render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s meaning, follow the law of the land. We may not agree but our officials who are in charge of running the country and the state are supposed to be working in our best interest so we have to at some point realize even God honors a bad decision they may make.
I have watched church service on vidio and internet at sfaw.org for years we have been fighting the adl and big gov. separation
People rights are in danger in some cases. I have one governor is trying to proclaim Marshall law in his state so he may arm the national guard. I don’t believe he has that power. The part of the US constitution reserves that power to the president and only the president. This is the fear of abuse of power by a state gov. This concerns me greatly.
Your liberties will not do you much good after you die from contracting the Virus! I understand it is a small number getting the disease right now. However, this virus has mutated twice already, we do not know what else it will do. At the rate Arkansas is going we will be in the same position as Italy’s epicenter within 2 weeks. Then lets talk about civil liberties.
Shit down the state please!
Why are the day cares still open? And telling the employees that even if they shut down they won’t get paid. They can use vacation or file for unemployment. I am worried about my daughter who has worked with daycare for 17 years. Your kids are her kids please protect her . There are way more the 10 people meeting in the daycares.she has seen though this that you and the company she works under do not look after her or these children.its all about money . Please shut them down.
Close all churches pray at home that’s what our family does you can pray anywhere it doesn’t have to be a large crowd Our lord hears all prayers doesn’t matter where we are pray and study your bible at home with your family