To think that closing churches is not the same as closing hospitals?

[bonnecher]

christianconcern.com/comment/closing-the-churches-is-disproportionate-unlawful-and-unconstitutional/

I understand they can be important to some people's mental health, but suggesting its the same as closing hospitals is ridiculous, and insulting to hospital staff who have been working their arses off throughout this pandemic. And yet some idiot taking the Scottish government to court is claiming it is.

Comparisons are generally partial, so I don't think it's reasonable to say "they aren't exactly the same" because of course everyone knows that.

It's a matter of whether they are the same in some relevant ways.

I would say that there is a lot that is socially important that can go on at churches and sometimes people fail to realise this - they can be an important place of community support, and also contact for people who are isolated. They haven't usually been shown to be really problematic in terms of transmission either, so that's also something to consider.

The pastor of that church is busy posting anti-vax rhetoric and conspiracy theories about the "China Virus" on twitter. What a scumbag.

It's sad to see that so many people don't realise just how much local involvement many churches have in foodbanks, distributing food to elderly people, supporting the homeless/providing shelter/food, making food parcels for families who are on free school meals but need extra food for the rest of the families, and how much some churches have supported isolated elderly people in the community. A local church I know has supported foreign students stuck in the UK with no access to any support from their university, distributing food to them when they have absolutely no other options. They've distributed hundreds of food parcels.

Churches, mosques, gurdwaras and many other faith-based organisations (as well as non faith based obviously) have done a huge amount of work during the pandemic. I know it's not as essential as hospitals, but the queues in some of the food distribution centres were around the block with hundreds of families supported every week.

Maybe it's because churches are not great at posting their charitable work on Instagram.

They can still do most of that though.

Nothing is stopping any of that though. It's a complete failure of imagination to suggest that not being able to meet in person once a week should in any way diminish the ability of the church to go about its mission.

@RunAwayNow maybe I wasn't clear. My post was specifically about people stating categorically that churches' work is non-essential. Considering that our church is one of many that have raised and redistributed over 20 tons of food for donations since the first lockdown, some people may consider that our work is 'essential' to many families.

We've carried on with most aspects of the church during lockdown. Some things, like visits to hospitals or support in courts of law has not been possible obviously. There is no 'failure of imagination', what a strange thing to say.

@worknoplay I completely agree with you so apologies for any crossed wires. I was talking in context of the topic of this thread which is about a small but vocal group comparing closing of churches for worship as being the same as closing hospitals. That is patently nonsense. My point was that a lot of what churches and other faith groups do is essential to society, but that nothing in legislation prevents any of that. Well, maybe not hospital visiting although chaplains are still working and there are other ways to support people in hospital and their families. The mission of the church is undiminished, it just needs to find creative ways to carry it out.

My failure of imagination comment is aimed at Christian Concern who seem to think no church serves any value if it can't run a worship service on a Sunday.

I know, it's not on. They represent such a small minority I hope people don't think we all believe that.

The argued in court that as Christians their primary obedience is to God and not to the State. So the law doesn't apply to them?

@Luckychant

Just seen that an evangelical chuch in motherwell have been holding services. Hopefully they get the bok thrown at them.

People like that think they're above the law.

They won they're case. Apparently churches are above the law.

Closing theatres has been dreadful for my mental health and the mental health of my kids but I'm not taking anyone to court.

The theatre is my religion!

Aren't Churches opening on Friday anyway?

@Luckychant

Just seen that an evangelical chuch in motherwell have been holding services. Hopefully they get the bok thrown at them.

Seems reasonable. They throw a book at everything where their herd/congregation (and anybody within a hundred mile radius) are concerned.

www.scotsman.com/news/politics/covid-blanket-ban-on-church-worship-in-scotland-ruled-unlawful-3176715

They've already started opening churches a day early. Totally worth going through the courts for.