Religious freedom and the coronavirus
The media narratives that have emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic are varied. Some, like the lack of supplies for medical personnel and first responders, are important. Others, like the stories about churches and their defiant pastors who refuse to comply with physical-distancing and stay-at-home orders, are mostly selective and overblown. Of course, a few churches and pastors are misbehaving, but the cases are rare— less than one per cent, in fact. To suggest that they are representative of all Christians is both misleading and defamatory.
Two main requirements must be met for any restrictions on religious freedom, even during a time of national or local emergency. First, any limitation must serve the common good or “a compelling state interest” and, secondly, it must be done in the least restrictive way possible.
What constitutes a “compelling state interest” will, of course, vary according to the circumstances. For example, the government could have a compelling interest to limit how people can gather during an emergency or, even, how many people can gather, though this would infringe on religious liberty.
The orders, however, must be clear. A person should be able to understand what is and what is not restricted without having to hire a lawyer. However, many of the COVID-19 restrictions fail this clarity test, especially at the local level.
Unclear restrictions make inconsistent enforcement by government nearly inevitable. This is especially true when local officials have an agenda and see an opportunity to take advantage of a crisis to crack down on groups that they don’t like, including religious ones.
Source: christianpost.com
