Danny joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2008 and has held several positions on the advocacy team. He currently leads the work of the advocacy team across the UK, including public policy work and work with parliaments, assemblies and governments. Prior to working for the Evangelical Alliance, Danny, a graduate in politics and political philosophy, worked in Parliament for an MP. Danny is passionate about encouraging Christians to integrate their faith into all areas of their lives, especially when it comes to helping them take leadership outside the church, and helped launch the Evangelical Alliance`s public leadership program. He frequently comments on current political issues, both in the publications of the Evangelical Alliance and in the press. However, Justice Cheryl Gwyn ruled that if the COVID-19 rules restricted religious freedom, it was justified by the need to reduce the risk to public health during a pandemic. The right to profess religious faith is protected, but not absolute. Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, also signed by the United States, religious freedom may be restricted in the interests of public safety, health, or morals. “In cities, people are nervous about going back to church,” VINCH said. “Thirty percent won`t come back.” We are also aware of those who do not want to visit the church buildings given the increasing number of cases, as well as churches that for various reasons cannot currently safely attend public services. 27/03/20 College of Bishops reflects on worship during lockdown The prime minister echoed his message from the first lockdown in March last year, saying people must “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives”.
Following the Prime Minister`s announcement of new measures to limit the spread of coronavirus, the Church of England continues to work with ministries to consider advice to churches. Fortunately, places of worship are not affected by this change and can remain open for community worship. As a result, congregations are free to meet, and any limitation on the number of believers is determined by the number that can be accommodated while maintaining social distancing. The requirement to wear a face covering remains in effect for indoor services, but does not apply if the church worships outdoors. “It`s very difficult for churches to realize that these are risky places,” Lineham said. Many churches continue to offer local streaming services, as well as weekly national online services and daily audio prayer services via the Time to Pray app and podcast, as well as the Daily Hope phone line for those without internet access. “Of course, if a backup singer can sing in a Hollywood studio but not in his church, California regulations can`t be considered neutral,” Barrett said. 12/06/20 SEC forecasts ahead of Phase 2 of lockdown easing To understand how this rule will work, it`s important to recognize the difference between visiting a place and interacting socially with other people.
There are a number of contexts in which more than six people can participate at the same time: it can be at church, in a restaurant, at the movies, or in a store. According to the change, those who visit these places will not be allowed to interact socially in groups of more than six people. When interacting with these groups, social distancing between people from different households should be maintained. “Trebilco rightly shows us that the argument that Christians must come together at all times to be the Church is wrong,” he said. 15/05/20 Bishops plan possible easing of lockdown Following the publication of government guidelines, we have updated our recommendations for churches. New Zealand religious historian and media commentator Peter Lineham told CT that the New Zealand churches` argument was a “direct mirror” of John MacArthur`s Grace Community Church in California and similar cases that won in the United States. During the trial, Christian scholars debated whether the health ordinance amounted to excommunication, with the state giving itself the power to say who can and cannot go to church. Theologian Matthew Flannagan, a high school teacher in Auckland and a teaching member of the Orewa Community Church, one of the churches involved in the lawsuit, argued that this was the case. He told CT that this was a serious violation of religious freedom.
Lineham is not surprised that New Zealand churches have lost. Ideas about the separation of church and state are less deeply rooted than in the United States, and the right to worship is understood to exist “in the context of a set of human rights that are often jostling,” Lineham said. The latest changes, announced by the government late in the evening, include a blanket ban on groups gathering indoors or outdoors. Those who fail to comply with the new rules can face a fine of £100, with the penalty doubling for each recorded breach up to a maximum of £3,200. The new rules will come into effect on September 14, but will have no impact on worship, Justin Welby confirmed on Twitter this morning. 05/06/20 Quorum of Bishops addresses lockdown debate Other church-run services and activities can continue to operate as long as they do so in a COVID-safe environment and with appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures. This means that volunteer services such as food banks can work with more than six people, as can support groups such as bereavement or addiction treatment groups – as they are classified as community services. The Archbishop of Canterbury has confirmed that churches in England will not be affected by the government`s decision to limit social gatherings to a maximum of six people as the number of Covid-19 cases rises sharply. People may want to stay home, and churches may choose not to open, she said. She encouraged clergy and others protecting themselves to “be extra careful and stay home.” By September 14, only a maximum of two households are expected to gather indoors. The changes, which will take effect next week, mean it`s actually more permissive and gives more opportunities for church meetings in private homes. Six people from any number of households are allowed to meet.
Vink also criticizes pastors who have sued the government, calling it “arrogant” and a “waste of time.” He said he was more concerned about the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the church. 17/07/20 FAQ for SEC churches in Phase 3 of lockdown roadmap “One of the comments we received from police was that the rules need to be super simple so everyone knows what they are,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
