The essential needs to worship and to safety
Re: “Churches, weddings amended in order,” Dec. 9 news story
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has now deemed places of worship as essential, allowing churches to hold services without attendance restrictions. I am a Christian who loves my church, but because I am a Christian, my family will not gather during this pandemic. We have amazing technology options for “meeting.” We have live- streamed services, video lessons, podcasts, books, and access to music so that we can continue to connect to God without leaving our home. An important part of my faith is to love my neighbor. At this time, keeping my neighbors safe is more important than going to a building to express my faith. Because I love my retired neighbors, my co- workers, my friends, and my community, I will worship at home until it is safe.
Jody Berg, Cañon City
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Re: “Thank you, Justice Gorsuch,” Dec. 2 commentary
Bret Stephens is accurate with his assessments and problem- solving suggestions for our complex, political world. But he can be biased, as in his recent op- ed.
There is a huge difference between a church and a bike shop.
The number of worshipers is greater than the number of customers. The danger of exposure to COVID19 is far greater in a church. With the record number of fatalities,
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was right to shut them down. Maybe if they held more services to allow for social distancing and adequate ventilation, this wouldn’t have gone to the Supreme Court? Anyone can be asymptomatic. No one has the right to endanger anyone. Prophets have taught that prayer in private is more important. The Court is misguided, and so is Stephens in this rare instance.
Stan Current, Denver
The First Amendment includes protection of a person’s right to practice their religion freely without government intervention. In the case of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, the intent of the state was never to prevent the practice of any religion but rather to stop a virus from killing yet more people. Inherent in that, as other countries have found, is the necessity to limit gatherings.
Bret Stephens asks the question, “but how long can governors override fundamental rights?” before quoting Gorsuch’s decision: “Even if the Constitution has taken a holiday during this pandemic, it cannot become a sabbatical.”
The flow and up and down rate of infections in this country need to be considered despite the length of time involved. These temporary measures should take as long as it takes in each individual community according to their circumstances. One order does not fit all. The governors should have support from our courts, our federal administration and the people. Thus far, we have been unable to attain agreement on how to stop the spread of this virus.
The only victory that any of us will have will come when we have an effective vaccine. That is not far away and has nothing to do with religious freedom or a win for either Brooklyn or Cuomo. The Constitution was not under attack in this instance.
Carol E. Morse, Golden