So, I am not religious. But in 2017 I followed several brave members of the clergy into the Senate gallery in DC to protest the @GOP& #39;s attempted repeal of the ACA. These were men and women who practiced what they preach. We were all arrested that day. 1/ https://religionnews.com/2017/07/25/clergy-march-in-a-funeral-procession-to-protest-health-care-repeal/">https://religionnews.com/2017/07/2...
I stand in fellowship with them now, in solidarity, because they are my friends, my comrades. Worship is at the center of their lives, bearing witness is their calling, standing up for the least among us is their gift to the world. 2/ https://www.faithinpubliclife.org/21-arrested-hcrally">https://www.faithinpubliclife.org/21-arrest...
The decision to re-open churches, mosques, synagogues lies with states and municipalities not @realDonaldTrump. I want my friends and comrades to lead their congregations in prayer, not into the lion& #39;s den of #COVID. 3/
There are safe ways to resume services, worship and simultaneously protect the congregation from transmission of #SARSCOV2. 4/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavir...
So when @realDonaldTrump talks religion--he is trying to divide us, pit public health against faith, stoke the culture wars for his own benefit. Or as Prov. 16:10 would have it: “A good leader motivates, / doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit” (MSG). 5/
So, as a scientist, I stand and join hands with my brothers and sisters in the clergy, to say those of us in public health are with you, we support you, we want you and your congregations to be safe and flourish. 6/
Even in the midst of this pandemic even if you could not get into your churches, mosques and synagogues you were doing the work you have devoted your lives to: helping the sick and the poor, the downtrodden and misunderstood. And we are all blessed for that. end/
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