Texans voted overwhelmingly to ban the state from being able to prohibit or limit religious services, including those in churches and other places of worship.
They voted 63% TO 37%.
Some argued that this was an over reaction and that it could hamper the ability of the state or even a local government to shut down religious services.
Um. Yeah. That’s what it’s supposed to do.
But but but, they say, what about if there’s a really super duper bad pandemic even worse than Covid? Then people will just have to make their own decisions about how to fulfill their religious obligations, won’t they?
Here’s what it comes down to. The people no longer trust politicians and bureaucrats to have access to that kind of power, especially over their faith lives.
Too many people suppose that regular folks can’t make decisions for themselves and unless the government tells them what to do and where to go they will be lost. In fact, it seems to me the best way to get lost is to take directions from a politician.
Say, shouldn’t all those folks who are always talking about separation of Church and state be happy about this? Or perhaps I misunderstood what they really meant.
November 3, 2021 at 2:06 pm
“Say, shouldn’t all those folks who are always talking about separation of Church and state be happy about this?”
To those unfamiliar with history and the founding of our country, separation of Church and state simply means that the power-hungry Church shouldn’t meddle in the affairs of state. But, since the Church is clearly a force for evil, it’s just fine for the state to meddle in the affairs of the Church.
Kudos to the Texas voters for holding the line.
November 3, 2021 at 10:28 pm
Scot,
What? I doubt you’re reading the founding of this country correctly. The founders feared the concentration of power in an all-powerful government. That is why we have a Constitution that establishes three branches of government to check and balance each other. It is also why we have the Bill of Rights that spells out invidual rights including the establishment clause and the free exercise of religion. It works both ways: the power hungry state shouldn’t meddle in the affairs of the Church either. I suggest reading the Federalist Papers on the place of religion in the new republic.
November 4, 2021 at 10:51 am
Joanne,
Oh, I’m SURE I’m not reading the founding of the country correctly! Those are complicated and nuanced documents that I know I’m not smart enough to fully understand.
However, we’re saying the same thing. My comment wasn’t written as clearly as I intended and I think you got the impression that I was saying the opposite of what I meant. Me a culpa.
Let me try again:
Separation of Church and state should be a two way street rather than the one way street that the historically uninformed among us assume it to be.
November 4, 2021 at 11:46 am
The Church has been effectively dealing with plague and other diseases since the First Century AD. As a matter of fact the Church in these areas actually invented hospitals. The idea that praying to God in public and in groups is a threat to health is more than a bit over the edge.