Police have shown up three times and ordered my church service to disperse. Which we did, peacefully (even if, I must admit, hearing the order inspired me to want to then begin a prolonged hymn or carol-singing session. I know, I’m such a badass!).
Here in B.C., the government has banned large gatherings to prevent COVID-19 transmission. I understand that, I respect that. However, the government has allowed restaurants to remain open to dine in, as well as bars, gyms, swimming pools, yoga classes, schools and daycares to remain open. All while cancelling in-person church services of less than 50 people, every family sitting at least two metres apart, all wearing masks, no Sunday School or nursery.
Currently, the outbreaks we are witnessing are at gyms, schools, old folks homes, and restaurants. I am unfamiliar with any that have been traced to a church.
I understand the need for public health orders. I understand the need to prevent transmission of a disease which causes very curious and hitherto misunderstood symptoms, and whose long term impacts are not fully known. I would, and do respect the need for caution, distancing, and vigilance in monitoring myself and my children for illness and staying away until we receive positive confirmation that COVID is not present.
RELATED: 3 Chilliwack churches fined $18,400 for violating B.C.’s COVID ban on gatherings
RELATED: As many as 19 Fraser Valley churches have defied a COVID-related ban on in-person worship
However, B.C.’s current outright ban on in-person church services is totally inconsistent with wider government policy.
How is it possible that one could think eating at a restaurant is in any way more important than communally praising and worshipping the maker, creator, and sustainer of the universe? How can one possibly imagine that one needs to attend a brick-and-mortar school more than one needs to attend a service to receive the reassurance that despite our plethora of failings, wrongdoing and (yes, I daresay it) sin we are forgiven, loved, and restored to grace, and how we are to respond to this gift by living a good and upright life?
Yes, we can partake in a church service online, but one also does not need to sit in a restaurant to eat, go to a bar for a drink, to the gym, swimming pool or yoga class to remain fit, and one can also get an education online.
And that is the crux of this issue: The inconsistency of this rule banning in person church services with wider government policy. If schools and restaurants and the like were closed, I would have no issue with remaining at home and partaking in church online.
The fact schools and restaurants remain open means the rule banning-in person church services is not being responsive to the situation at hand, but rather is repressively targeting communities of faith.
And I will not comply with such a rule until either wider health restrictions make this rule consistent with its approach, or until this rule is modified to become consistent with the wider policy currently in place.
I want to obey the government. But I will not betray my conscience to do so. So I will disobey until the government sorts out its priorities.
Joel Penner
• Send your letter to the editor via email to editor@theprogress.com. Please include your first and last name, address, and phone number.
• READ MORE: Chilliwack Progress Letters