This is going to continue to happen until steps are taken to prevent it.
Someone tell me that religion isn't the problem.
Unless we are making a tacit agreement that 'freedom to spread plague' is part of 'freedom of religious expression' something has to change.
Sincerely held religious beliefs control the choices people make. It is disingenuous to say otherwise.
For all of my faults I haven't increased coronavirus infections. For all of my faults I haven't stockpiled hundreds of millions of dollars that was supposed to be used to take care of the poor and sick. What you call boorishness I call righteous hatred and fervor. When your Consciousness gets colonized by Bronze Age bullshit then I will accept your criticism.
One could even call it zeal. Look, man, regardless of your relationship with religion, there's a need to grow. All you do is talk about this thing like a blazing fire of hatred in you, but you never get further with it. Look inward. Change with lasting consequences. Take action other than spewing bile everywhere. And, please, finally get it through your skull that perpetuating religion's mistakes (like dropping everyone disagreeing with you into one bag) isn't better if it's repackaged as whatever brand of militant atheism your denomination practices. I've been harsh with you, I've been playful. I'd like to get serious. There's more to religion than dogmatism. There's more to this discussion than blind anger. Use this opportunity of seclusion to explore what's inside instead of getting more and more angry for, clearly, no constructive reason. Because there's more than that. To life, to people, to one's own peace of mind. You play chess? We can play if you do, teach you if you don't, and it's a great way to focus one's thoughts on something. And, frankly, you could use a challenge that can be beaten. Put up or shut up, I'll be done with work around 20:00 UTC.What you call boorishness I call righteous hatred and fervor.
For what it's worth, I just walked by the local Episcopal church on my way to the grocery store (yes, grocery shopping is an allowed activity under this shelter-in-place order, as is running/walking/hiking for exercise, en fait). They had a sign on the door saying all services had been moved online until further notice. So no, religion doesn't have to be the problem.
Respectfully, I disagree. Considering this changing landscape, I believe that suspension of in-person public worship is generally the most prudent course of action at this time, even during Holy Week and on Easter Day. Says Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, current highest leader of The Episcopal Church here. That's like, 1.5-1.8 million congregants he's speaking to. As a person of Chinese descent in America during this time, I know a thing or two about sweeping generalizations. They're generally not favorable. Or true. Or helpful.Last week I stated publicly my support for bishops who, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, decide “for a designated period of time . . . to cancel in-person gatherings for public worship.” I write now concerning the need to suspend in-person gatherings for public worship, in most contexts, during the sacred time of Holy Week and Easter Day. Because this is a global health crisis, the principles in this letter apply throughout The Episcopal Church, including beyond the United States.
On March 15th the Centers for Disease Control recommended the suspension of public gatherings in the U.S. of more than 50 people for the next 8 weeks. On March 16th officials of the federal government asked persons in the U.S. to “avoid gatherings of more than 10 people” for the next 15 days. It is reasonable to assume that some form of recommendations restricting public gatherings will continue for some time.
It is important to emphasize that suspension of in-person gatherings is not a suspension of worship. I very much encourage and support online worship.
And more to the point... some denominations of some religions are exacerbating the current situation. Others shut everything down before state and local governments; before restaurants bars and movie theaters; before schools and offices. So while I understand your personal anger and frustration with religion in general, broadly blaming this pandemic on religion is as inaccurate as religious zealots blaming this pandemic on a sinful world. Stay healthy my friend.