I don’t drive much these days, but on Friday I was on the freeway listening to an interesting issue of “B. C. Today” on CBC Radio. It had to do with the freedom of churches to risk spreading COVID-19 through their services. The opinions expressed, in general, gave a pretty good idea of the spread of attitude in the province towards this problem.
Background
As part of B. C.’s lockdown to deal with the latest surge in the epidemic, all in-person religious services are banned in the province. Since religion goes close to the heart of some people’s self-identity, there has been resistance to this move, logical though it may seem.
Three churches in the Fraser Valley, (British Columbia’s “Bible Belt”) are taking the government to court about their right to hold religious services. The government in turn has asked the court for an injunction against the three organizations, to keep them from breaking the ban in any way.
The Arguments:
The churches, of course, say the government’s restrictions violate their constitutional right to religious expression. They also state the mental health aspect of religious services as a factor. They would seem to be correct on both counts, in a limited way.
The other side of the argument reminds us that freedoms are not absolute. They must be balanced against other factors, especially the common good. So, while we have freedom of expression, if we falsely yell “Fire” in a crowded room, we can be charged if someone is injured in the stampede. Our freedom of speech is balanced by the rights of groups and individuals not to be slandered. The list goes on.
In this case, the government has decided that the spread of the virus is more dangerous than the threat to our religion. So I doubt the churches will get very far with the “freedom” argument.
The mental health benefits of a church service cannot be denied, but this argument is countered by the same principle. The mental health of the whole province is suffering, but the government has decided that the physical health — including the life — of the majority is paramount. The vast majority of churches have followed the moral teaching that puts the needs of our neighbours ahead of our own self-interest. They are finding ways to help their parishioners, adapting their services to do the best they can within the guidelines.
My Opinions
I’m not a big fan of organized religion, mainly due to the damage it has caused over the centuries. However, politics makes strange bedfellows, as Freedom of Speech advocates are always finding. “I don’t agree with what you say, but I defend your right to say it,” applies in this case as well. Churches are within their rights to go to court, and are playing a valuable part in our democracy. Politicians are working by the seat of their pants on this pandemic, and it’s a good thing to question their decisions. Many times in the past our leaders have been known to get too enamoured with their own righteousness, and somebody needs to make sure they keep listening to their electors.
Also, I wonder if the government’s motion for an injunction isn’t overkill. The regulations are there. The police have a right to enforce them. Why do they need an injunction? Well, one of the reasons we don’t fight city hall is that they have deeper pockets and more lawyers than we can afford. Perhaps the government is trying to outspend the churches. It’s been tried before.
The Court of Public Opinion
“B. C. Today” is an open-line radio show, and several of the people who called in showed evidence of emotional biases against religion. “Pull their tax-deferred status,” is a time-worn demand. I was pleased to note that the general tone of the program was definitely against this sort of vigilante attitude.
Tribalism
I also would like to consider that more radical churches are quite happy with their difference from the rest of society, and thrive on this sort of “repression.” A 2014 measles outbreak in the same area was caused by anti-vaccination attitudes based on religious doctrine. This sort of primitive tribalism lends credence to those suggesting that education is one of the necessities of an effective defence against COVID.
The Court Will Decide
Whatever the court says is fine with me. I just hope that the members of the general public on both sides of the question, especially the offending churches, will see it the same way. I do not wish them harm. I wish they would do their duty as citizens to help us all finish this crisis as safe and healthy as possible.