State and City Officials Get Creative Asking Churches to Practice Common Sense
State officials are trying to navigate what feels like a wafer-thin between protecting people and respecting their rights as U.S. citizens to assemble and earn a living wage. Some officials have encouraged people to follow directives in a winsome manner. The Governor of Tennessee, Bill Lee, called upon a resident of that state who is popular among evangelicals to spread the message. Michael W. Smith of CCM fame recorded a video that was posted to the Governor’s Twitter account asking Tennessee residents to do their part to protect themselves and their neighbors.
A message from @michaelwsmith: Do your part. Stay apart #TNStayApart @TNDeptofHealth pic.twitter.com/oF2SnkkoJ5
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) April 1, 2020
In a similar fashion, Ohio Governor Mike Dewine appealed to the Christians in that state to consider the teachings of their faith before they violate the social distancing directives his office has issued. “It is not a Christian thing to do, it is not in the Judaeo-Christian tradition to hurt people, and I’m sure no one intends to do that. But by bringing people together you are risking their health, your health and total strangers’ health. This is just a huge mistake,” he warned churches who were intent on continuing to gather in person.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott included churches on the list of essential services, but encouraged them to carry on their work remotely if at all possible. An executive order issued by the Governor reads: “If religious services cannot be conducted from home or through remote services, they should be conducted consistent with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC by practicing good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation, and by implementing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Other states and cities have employed a heavier hand when communicating social distancing directives to residents. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio threatened to close churches and other houses of worship down permanently if they chose to violate the city’s shelter in place order. Many saw de Blasio’s threat as overreach and condemned it.
