It’s all about votes, coffers, and not souls
THE GOVERNMENT’S decision to reopen places of worship under level 3 of the lockdown was not motivated by a genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of believers, but rather to rescue religious leaders from their financial predicament and win their support.
Politics, being a game of money and power, played a huge role in the decision following behind-the-scenes horse-trading between the government and religious leaders. Solely dependent on contributions by church members, the clergy found themselves in a financially precarious position with the church coffers running on empty.
Politicians allowed churches to reopen in order to curry favour with them and not to alienate a key constituency, especially so close to the local government elections next year.
The government has argued that its decisions since the lockdown was informed by science with the aim of curbing the spread of the coronavirus. The ban on social gatherings, including religious worship, was aimed at minimising physical contact. The mantra has been about the preservation of lives and livelihoods.
It would seem the decision to reopen places of worship had nothing to do with the preservation of the lives of the congregants. Instead, it seems to be more about the preservation of the livelihoods of the religious leaders at the expense of the congregants’ lives. How else does one explain the bizarre concession to agree to the prohibition of singing during worship? With singing being an integral part of worship, such a concession flies in the face of logic.
It was not a principled decision taken in the interest of the members. The reopening will benefit the religious leaders financially and increase the risk of infection. Church leaders can adopt electronic banking to ensure the continuation of offerings and tithes rather than risk the lives of the people of God at the altar of financial expediency.
The congregants might be well advised to stay at home, and continue to sing and pray for an end to this Covid-19 nightmare.
Klipspruit