Social Distancing Vs. Religious Assembly
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER on Unsplash
Most churches, synagogues, and mosques are shuttered now. Not because of a lack of attendance but because of a government mandate. Of course, the result of the many statewide orders is having a deleterious effect on society at large. You can’t go to a grocery or dry goods store without seeing the marks of social distancing placed six feet apart.
In my state of Ohio, the governor activated a stay-at-home order for all residents on March 23, 2020. This effectively closed the doors on Sunday gatherings. At this writing, we are approaching one month since that order went into effect.
So, how should the church respond to these orders? Peter tells us, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme” (1 Peter 2:13). This passage on civil obedience for the church extends to verse 17. We have orders from our King to be gentle and to use our freedom in Christ as a witness.
However, a disturbing trend is being seen in America. Grace Hauck, in an article which ran in the Sunday, April 12 edition of USA Today entitled, “States are restricting Easter gatherings amid COVID-19. Churches and lawmakers are pushing back” gives an overview of the problem. Hauck reviewed the many conflicts springing up between government overreach and freedom of religion. Some have positive outlooks for the church but some do not.
Do state governments have the right to restrict gatherings to prevent the further spread of COVID-19? Yes. They have a compelling interest to protect their communities. Should the church obey their mandates? Yes. According to Scripture, we are to yield to their ordinances. But, what happens when state and local governments become intoxicated with this authority?
In a Pin-Up published on Crit-Large “The Coronavirus Panic as a Vehicle for State Manipulation,” I said we should be careful about an encroaching government. I never foresaw the heavy-handed way some municipalities would behave. But does such overzealous action negate the direction given to the church by Peter? No. The Christian confession exists around the world and prospers under all kinds of tyranny. Remember when Peter penned those words in his first letter, the madman Nero was Caesar.
Our focus must be on living in such a way that our neighbors see the light of Christ in our actions (1 Peter 2:12). However, we must watch and pray. An ample supply of prayer material is being given to the church right now. Let’s use this shutdown as a motivation to pray and intercede for our communities. When we gather together again we will celebrate our true King at his table.
