COVID-19 has exposed numerous fissures in American society, including one that runs to the core of what our nation is founded on. In their responses to the pandemic, many government officials revealed blatant disregard for — and in some cases, outright hostility towards — something many Americans consider essential to their lives: religion.
In Nevada, for example, the governor allowed casinos to open at half capacity and welcome thousands of gamblers, while churches were limited to a mere 50 people, regardless of the church’s size or its health and safety precautions. Indianapolis prohibited churches from having gatherings of more than 25 people, even outdoors, while shopping malls and department stores were allowed to operate at 50% capacity. And the governor of Washington threatened churches with criminal penalties for offering worship services even as he allowed cannabis retailers and breweries to open as “essential businesses.”
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