Tensions of Church and State

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to grow across our nation an inevitable conflict of church and state has arisen.  In the last week, at least two pastors have been arrested for conducting worship services at the churches which they pastor in defiance of local or statewide edicts not to do so.

These arrests raise the inevitable questions of the separation of church and state.  The question has been asked as to whether or not these actions are an infringement on the First Amendment rights which promise us the free exercise of our religion.

Though many pastor's often decry religion getting removed from the public sphere what is often forgotten is that the separation of church and state is a positive influence for the church protecting it from the possible corrupting influence of the state.  Ideally separating church and state removes the church from being used by  political leaders for the pursuit of its own agendas.  Sadly it has not always worked this way but this is the ideal.

Therefore, when pastor's are arrested for leading a congregation in worship there is some cause for alarm.  The actions of these pastors are a matter that is best left to the dictates of their conscience and God's judgment.  There is no need for any of us to speculate on what motivates them.

However, we are left to answer the question of whether or not this is a violation of First Amendment rights.  Simply put, should the government be able to compel churches to cancel worship?

In as much as we are living in extreme times there are indeed conditions in existence which warrants the government's intercession.  While we are all certainly given the freedom to worship  as we chose, what then are we to say when our worship presents a clear and present danger to the community? When our public worship jeopardizes the public health even possibly risking death for community members who are non participants then it is an appropriate response for governmental intervention.

What we must also remember is that there are no restrictions being placed on any religious groups in regards to their beliefs.  One remains free to believe as one feels called to believe.  Further, churches have not been asked to refrain from meeting due to the content of their meetings or the teachings of a church.  There is no attack on any particular set of beliefs or dogmas. Churches are not being called to refrain from meeting because their teachings are at odds with the prevailing political leadership.  In addition, churches are not the only institutions that have been asked to limit their activities.  Churches have not been singled out for closure any more than other institutions.  In the end,  this has simply been a matter of public safety and health.

Those things said, it is proper that churches refrain from meeting in these times even without the restrictions of government being placed upon them.  Legal arguments aside, there is a moral issue in play for me as a pastor the rises above any legal arguments.  As I acknowledged earlier I will only speak for myself but I simply see not conducting public worship as the right thing to do.

As I pastor I have an obligation to serve the congregation to which I have been appointed.  I have a responsibility to care for the persons in my congregation.  Simply put, I cannot in good conscience endanger the health and well being of the parishioners of the congregation I serve.  Granted, each parishioner of the church I serve has a choice as to whether or not they will attend a worship service; however, I too have a responsibility to them.

The truth is that COVID-19 could be passed at a worship service.  In at least one church community, I can see to it  that it doesn't happen.  Further, as a church we can also insure that the virus doesn't leave the church and move into larger community.

This points in the direction of my second obligation.  Not only as a pastor do I have an obligation to the congregation I serve, as a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ I have a responsibility to the community and world in which I live.  If we as Christians can do anything to curtail the spread of this disease then we are being faithful to the calling of Jesus Christ.

Right now in this time and in this place God is probably pleased because we are staying home from church.