New Bedford Church Policy Protected Churchgoers [OPINION]

Mayor Jon Mitchell made an informed decision to limit the number of folks in New Bedford churches on the first reopening phase since the COVID-19 lockdown.

I have been struck by the number of non-religious people who are so concerned with the comings and goings of the people who actually go to organized religious ceremonies. How many vegetarians are concerned about the world of meat?

It isn't about the protection of religion, it is about getting attention by being a pain in the ass to elected officials like Mayor Mitchell, who are trying to guide the citizens who elected them during a crisis.

The facts are important. All buildings, including churches, are regulated by the local government. This is a new and apparently stunning fact to people who don't go to church and has become a topic of debate for the stupid. The amount of people limited to a building, including churches, is based on the health and welfare of the folks who use the building.

With the introduction of COVID-19 to America, the health and welfare concerns of citizens have temporarily changed.

Going to a church service is different from a trip to Walmart or a pharmacy. Only a person who doesn't go to a church regularly would feel empowered to make a comparison between the two experiences. I can't explain it more than that – either you know from experience or you don't – and if you don't know the difference, then you don't have a reason to be in the debate.

Mayor Mitchell was looking to save the lives of religious people and help them to continue to keep their special traditions alive. Only a person that doesn't understand organized religion would be ridiculous enough to see Mayor Mitchell as a hostile force.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.