Ballot Box. MWC file photo.
CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – There were three amendments to the state constitution on the ballot this week. The one that was voted down was the one that had meaning to people of faith.
It asked whether the state should lose its power to close churches and other houses of worship for health emergencies. In other words, if COVID 2.0 ever comes, could your health department say that it’s unsafe to gather for worship?
And the voters answer was that health officials retain that power. At their whim, gathering for religious services could be banned.
It’s outrageous that the general voting public has so little respect for religious liberty. A government bureaucrat will substitute their judgement for yours. Of course, if COVID reappeared it could have been up to you whether or not to attend church, or whether to go wearing a mask, or whether to sit apart from everyone else, or to watch via a video-like. Instead the government will make that choice for you.
I would offer this advice to church leaders; and I am one – an elder at The Cross Church in Schofield. Ignore any government order to close your doors. There are higher laws that are on your side. The United States Constitution says the government shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. I know churches consider it wasteful to get entangled in legal fights, but you would win. And there is a higher law, of God almighty, which reigns supreme to any law passed here on earth.
Chris Conley
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