It is essential that Christians and Christian churches protect our religious freedom by exercising it.
We cannot acquiesce to allowing the state government to determine when and how we can exercise religious freedom based on what they allow or say. In fact, the government in America is specifically prohibited from interfering, in any way, with the exercise of religious freedom.
Of course, this freedom includes holding and attending public worship services. Unfortunately, most churches in Colorado are not holding public worship services and are limiting church activities to no more than 10 people at a time, based on weekly conference calls with Gov. Polis.
This 10-person guidance is actually no longer being followed by Colorado businesses such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s and garden centers. In fact, the number of people allowed in such businesses is based on their square footage and appropriate social distancing.
I think that it is essential for churches to immediately begin in-person services and to do so before the state changes its guidance, so that it is clear that the churches are not acquiescing to the state.
While this virus is with us, we can and should do this in a responsible manner, based on square footage and responsible social distancing. Families can sit together, and others can social distance.
Churches may have to offer more services to adjust for reduced attendance at any one service, or members may only be able to attend services every other week or so. Churches can certainly continue to offer on-line services, as many are doing, as many members may be more comfortable with those right now.
I am not saying that Gov. Polis has any improper motives. It is simply that these are not his decisions to make. And Christians and Christian churches cannot allow him to make these decisions for us. Polis mentioned the other day that he may not allow schools to reopen until 2021. Are we as Christians OK with not having in-person church services until 2021 if that is what Polis decides? What if the governor gives some churches permission to hold services, but not others?
We cannot acquiesce to having less freedom than The Home Depot. Our Christian and American ancestors and brothers and sisters fought, and many died, to gain and protect our precious freedoms. We cannot let them and our children and grandchildren down by allowing these freedoms to wither away because we do not exercise them. Freedoms are more likely to disappear in small stages than in one fell swoop.
We have Christian brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted and martyred, who have generally looked to America as the role model and hope for religious freedom. It is in times of trial and tribulation that it is most important for Christians to step forward as community leaders to share Christ’s love and hope. Not allow ourselves to slip into the background and risk becoming irrelevant.
Thomas Paine said: “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”
Let’s come together to defend and exercise our precious rights while holding each other accountable to do so responsibly.
You should visit a Home Depot. And compare that with what your church looks like on a Sunday morning.
Greg Northrup is a retired business leader who has lived and worked in the Loveland area for more than 30 years. Over the years he has been involved in a variety community and charitable causes.
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Greg Northrup: It’s time to reopen churches - Loveland Reporter-Herald
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