The closure and reopening of churches and mosques has been received with mixed feelings by the congregations concerned. What would happen in the next couple of weeks or months would prove whether in fact the closure was necessary or not.
Though in a minority, the pioneering influence of Christianity, especially in the field of education, cannot be underestimated. Church and Christian missions played an important role in the whole exercise beginning from the eighteenth century. The co-operation of Christian and Muslims in all national issues not least in the acceptance of worship is highly commendable. The conformance of religious people is in accordance with the passage in Genesis 49:10 that states in part—“and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” The quagmire in all the 29 regulations is going to be in their implementation judging by the present lawlessness outside places of worship.
Whether the regulations were the original ones submitted by the inter-Religious Council or highly commended by government is not known but it portrays the adulterous relationship between the church and state. Ninety minutes in a church where members or visitors have washed their hands and their temperatures taken is not to be compared with petty traders who ply their trade for a whole day unregulated. It’s like NACOVERC has not got its priorities right. Under these circumstances the church cannot be the repository of COVID-19 virus.
Like what was done during the Ebola epidemic priests of the Christian and Muslim religions did not have their places of worship closed but Ebola went away. It is a fact that priests have more moral influence over their flocks than the secular rulers. Closure was the missing element that has now been restored. The Bible states that where two or more are gathered God is there. There is a fellowship of Christian minds which we lacked during that period.
It is interesting to note that there are Christians who are of the opinion that if they do not attend church services they have committed sins of omission for which they would not enter the gates of heaven, which is a wrong idea. In fact, some of these Christians commit mortal sins outside the church and view attendance as penitence.
It should be noted that one of the greatest achievements ever made in the cause of human progress is the total and final separation of the state from the church. Christianity has arguably been the religion of the progressive portion of mankind. As a result Christians should be trailblazers in compliance with regulations in showing the light so that the rest of the populace will find their way. We should be law abiding in conformance with the biblical edict in Romans 13:1 that says “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
The reopening of places of worship is better late than never.