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#REL101COVID-19Articles
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2020-04-14
Pastor Who Defied Social Distancing Dies After Contracting Covid-19, Church Says
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2020-04-10
Churches helping other churches survive during COVID-19
This article discusses how many small churches are struggling to keep their doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many large churches are pooling resources to help the smaller churches survive. One pastor comments how some churches were already struggling before the crisis, but hopefully, thanks to the generosity of some of these larger churches, they may be able to stay open. -
2020-03-22
In a Pandemic, Religion Can Be a Balm and a Risk
This article discusses how religion and public authority, in regards to Covid-19, are conflicting with one another. Religious authorities are advertising to their followers their own remedies that would make them immune to the virus. However, while some practicing faith disagree with social distancing orders, others are embracing them and growing closer to their faith. These people are praying more frequently at home and, sometimes, tuning in to live streams that correlate to their practicing faith. New traditions and ways to worship are being displayed and carried out throughout the world, which bring people together, even when they are apart. -
2020-03-26
NYC Rabbi 'Romi' Cohn, a Holocaust survivor, dies of coronavirus complications at 91
This article explains the life of Rabbi Romi Cohn and how much of a hero he was while he was on earth. He saved over 50 families from Holocaust, but died from Covid19. He was a hero and inspiration for many yet was affected by the virus. It is cool to see the country coming together and honoring him despite different beliefs. -
2020-04-11
DOJ: 'Expect action' on government regulation of religious services amid COVID-19 outbreak
The article informs the public that the Department of Justice may take action due to local governments cracking down on religous services in wake of the coronavirus. This is largely due to churches standing up to their local governments as they are being blocked to hold in person services even in a "drive-in" style. -
04/04/2020
New Coronavirus Limits Bring New Religious Freedom Tension
This article discussing that though many states are on lockdown, that has not stopped churches from holding services and continuing their faith. Many church's have held online services, or even allowed people to "come to church" while remaining in their cars and holding services outdoors. Though most in person meetings have been prohibited until further notice, pastors and religious leaders all around the United States have found ways to continue their faith with their communities. -
04/17/2020
A monastery in Ukraine once scoffed at coronavirus measures. Now, it is a hot spot.
In this article, it is discussed that the Monastery of the Caves that lies in Ukraine has been turned into a coronavirus pandemic. How when news first broke out about the virus, monastery authorities didn't take much action. So as the month went along, it was found that more and more people were testing positive for COVID-19. Ever since then, the monastery has taken strict action. How the article goes into detail of what police authorities have done to seal off the monastery and also what Ukraine is doing as a whole. -
04/17/2020
Cellphone data shows coronavirus kept churchgoers at home in every state on Easter
This article shows statistically how many Americans listened to their government pertaining to "stay-at-home orders" over Easter weekend through the use of cellphone data. The highest drop of attendance occurred in Georgia with a decrease in attendance by 90%. The article also talks about alternative methods to in-person church services. One method was by hosting an online version that churchgoers could log on to; however, this was found to be difficult to some of the older people. Another method used in West Virginia was allowing people to park in the parking lot of the church and having drive-in service where no one was allowed out of their car. -
04/12/2020
States are restricting Easter gatherings amid COVID-19. Churches and lawmakers are pushing back.
The article goes into the response of different states in relation to the Coronavirus. With this, we also get the responses of different church organzations to the quarentine. Most of them are against the idea of temporarily disbanning the church community, and have since been fighting with local judical powers, as well as the supreme court, to overrule th restrictions of self-isolation as it pertains to church gatherings. -
04/17/2020
Lockdown Weighs Heavily on Orthodox Christians During Easter
The article explains the current lockdown situation in Greece and how it has impacted the Greek Orthodox community during the very holy time of Easter. The article explains how the lockdown has led people and churches to be defiant and hold gatherings in churches and viallages, despite the lockdown. However, the article expresses that Greek orthodox community has found a way to stay connected with each other through prayer services given via zoom and church services broadcasted online. -
04/08/2020
War over Easter: Kansas lawmakers revoke governor’s order limiting church gatherings
The article discusses how lawmakers in Kansas voted to revoke Governor Laura Kelly's order that limited religious gatherings to 10 people, allowing Easter services to take place. Opponents argued that it is not safe for groups of 10 or more to meet right now, and that this gives churches more freedom than secular groups that would also like to meet but are not exempt from the 10 person limit. Supporters argued that they are aware of the dangers that we are facing because of the coronavirus and precautions will be taken to keep people safe. -
03/18/2020
San Juan church to livestream services in effort to slow COVID-19 spread
This article describes the response of a San Juan, TX church to Hidalgo County's recent disaster declaration. Leaders of the church are now live streaming their service onto social media and very much encourage other congregations to follow and assist in containing the spread of COVID-19. -
2020-03-23
Mass Religious Gathering In Pakistan Leads To Fresh Concerns Over COVID-19 Spread
The diplomat Ahmed Rabi said there was supposed to be a two-day gathering on march 12th in eastern Pakistan. The gathering of the Tablighi Jamaat which is a Muslim missionary group brought together thousands of Muslim preachers from 80 countries and they have raised concerns about the spread of the virus. One member Arif Rana said the gathering was canceled on March 12th because of rain but the Punjab chief master said it ended because of the coronavirus fears. -
2020-04-07
Coronavirus Florida: Lockdown exemption for religious services not expected to be widely used
This aritcle describes how the churches and synagogues will conduct services virtually or parking lot services with the members remaining in their cars. It also describes how the governor of Florida considers attending religious services exempt from the stay at home order. Dispite the governor's directive most religious leaders will choose to not hold public gatherings and stay within the social distancing guidleines to help with midigating the spread of the virus. This article also describes what happened when a leader of faith decided to move forward with public church services despite the local stay-at-home order. Rev. Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested for violating this order. -
2020-03-18
Close the Churches
Churches have had to close worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many religions, there is a necessity to get together in groups, worship together, and even celebrate religious events. Due to these restrictions, many are now having their right of practicing religion taken away from them. There are legal actions that have been taken in the past, when considering if churches should listen and follow state or federal claims. -
2020-03-14
For millions of Americans, no church on Sunday is coronavirus’s cruelest closure so far
The article talks about how Christians in America are devastated that churches had to close due to the pandemis that is going on, especially during this holy time (Lent and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ). In the article, they expressed how deep of a loss this is for them because no church means no Communion or confession, two of the most important practices of Christianity. They also claim that live streaming Masses is not the same as feeling Jesus in an actual Sunday service. -
2020-03-12
How Religions Are Adapting to Coronavirus
The article desrbies how churches, mosques and synogogues are adapting to the new way of pacticing their religions. A Catholic church in Seattle has removed it's holy water from the fonts and the communal chalice will no longer be used. A Synagogue in East Village are holding services via livestream for Purim for those who wish to stay home. However, congregants can still attend service in person with the following changes: no covering eyes with hands during the Sh'ma and no kissing the Torah during processional. And a Muslim mosque in Seattle has suspended jumah prayers for the next two weeks where the CDC has restritcted gatherings of 10 or more people. -
2020-04-17
Trump consults faith leaders on phased-in reopening
President Trump held a call on Friday to discuss with faith leaders the return of in-person worship. During the pandemic, most services have been held online due to COVID-19. After classifying some places of worship as "large venues," some religious leaders would like to return to their normal services. -
2020-04-16
Seattle-area Sikh community leans on core values to help those in need during coronavirus pandemic
The article describes how a Seattle Sikh community drawing upon its religions core values has come to the aid of city since the rise of the current pandemic. This local Sikh chapter operates a community kitchen and has teamed up with other local partners to expand their reach since the outbreak. While they have always been in the business of helping the less fortunate, they have now begun to serve a whole line of others to include local medical workers and the elderly during this crisis. -
2020-03-27
Prayers restricted across Central Minnesota mosques amid COVID-19 fears
The article discusses the fears regarding religious gatherings and COVID-19 in central Minnesota. Specifically, the mosques and islamic religious centers of central Minnesota recently called for an end of mass gatherings, prayers, meetings, and weekend classes until it would be considered safe to do so. While many members of the community agree with the decision of local congregation leaders, many have concerns with the virus interrupting the famous islamic tradition and holiday of Ramadan. As Ramadan starts in April and lasts well through May, many people are worried they will not get to pray or worship during this religious holiday. While congregation leaders have not quite extended shut downs that far in advance yet, they said they will not hesitate to act in order to protect the community. -
2020-04-12
A West Virginia church spends Easter making masks, other PPE using 3-D printers
In this article, Pastor Travis Lowe, of Crossroads Church in Bluefield, West Virgina, spent Easter with many self- quaratined church-goers, volunteering to make PPE (personal protective equipment) including 3-D printed face shields to support healthcare workers at the local hospital. -
2020-04-12
Pope Francis Says the Coronavirus Is ‘Testing Our Whole Human Family’
In this article, Pope Francis addresses the COVID-19 pandemic. In Vatican City last year, there were "70,000 pilgrims crammed in St. Peters Square in Vatican City" for Easter. This year it was nearly empty. Several artists took photos of the Pope delivering his prayers in and eerie and artful way. -
2020-03-02
Coronavirus: South Korea sect leader to face probe over deaths
The article talks about how a leader of a religious sect in South Korea is going to be investigated over deaths in the country due to COVID-19. Lee Man-hee the founder of Shincheonji Church are being accused of hiding members as the government tried to rack patients before the virus spread. Outside of China South Korea is battling the worst coronavirus outbreak. -
2020-04-12
Justice Dept. to probe restrictions placed on religious gatherings to curb coronavirus
In this article they are discussing the Justice Department placing forced social distancing rules. This new harsher mandate also includes those individuals trying to attend religious services. The Justice Department is also looking into a variety of cases in which those going against the social distancing for religious reason may receive a harsher punishment then those who go against social distancing for other reasons. -
2020-01-04
US: Church pastor serially violates COVID-19 ordinances
Pastor Tony from Louisiana was issued a summons because he was carrying services at his church which violated the governors orders. He claims he needs to keep his church doors open for those who are needy and whos souls are lost. A lot fo people gathered at the church because they said they had a right to do so because of the constituion. Pastor added on that his church is cleaner than grocery stores and gas stations that remain open. -
2020-03-29
Valley churches offer drive-thru confessionals while closed during COVID-19 spread
This article presents the situation of how the Catholic Churches here in Arizona are dealing with the virus spread by holding confessions in thier parking lots and having people drive up to the priest in their vehicles in order to practice the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be forgiven of their sins. There are many other churches throughout the country doing this as the priest that was interviewed said he got the idea from a viral post that was taken in Kansas and wanted to do the same for his congregation. Of course they practiced Social DIstancing as they would be six feet apart and the priest when they would give the Prayer of Absolution would just raise his hand and not touch the individual at all. -
2020-03-11
Will Covid-19 weaken the base of organized religions?
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2020-04-04
At least 70 people infected with coronavirus linked to a single church in California, health officials say
In this article, it states that 70 members of the Bethany Slavic Missionary Church have contracted COVID-19. Although the church has closed per federal and state guidelines, the health department believes that some groups of members of the church were continuing to host gatherings inside of homes. This raised a cause of concern for upcoming holidays, which at the time were Palm Sunday and Easter, holidays in which families and groups of people typically get together to celebrate. -
2020-04-15
A Virus That Hits All Faiths Tests Religion's Tie to Science
This article talks about how many places still are continuing their religious gatherings despite everything going on because of the relief it can provide. It mentions how some places are following their religious belief and going to their religious sites because the virus can be combated with belief and if something were to happen that would be the best place to die. While places like the U.S. have transferred their religious services to online ones or just stoped them many people in other places are still meeting up like nothing is going on and the virus won't get them becasue they are in a safe place. -
2020-04-16
Inside the Fringe Japanese Religion That Claims It Can Cure Covid-19
This article is about religious group by the name of Happy Science who promote apocolyptic themes and is using the pandemic to drive their message and possible bring in new recruites.They are claiming that the virus is of supernatrual and extraterrestrial nature are offering a "spiritual vaccine" for a fee to be clear and safe from the disease. These indiviudals have an bizare and unsusal view of religion in a universal and supernatural way of looking at things. There are fees associated with joining this group and have revenues in the millions. To cure its members from the virus a private ritual must be conducted where individuals must pay hundreds of dollar to perform. -
2020-02-24
Secretive Church Sect At The Center Of South Korea's Coronavirus Outbreak
In this article talks about how one person in South Korea is responsible for the original 833 cases. They were a member of a religious group called the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. This one gathering caused case numbers to grow exponentially over the course of several days leading the the spread of Covid-19 to every major city and province of South Korea. This cause South Korean authorities to raise the virus alert level to red, which had not been done since 2009. The article also expresses the concern of some people because the religious group is not revealing who originally had Covid-19 so there is no way for people in the surrounding community to know if they came into contact with said member. They also blame the chuch for not cooperating with health authorities. -
2020-04-07
Mideastern burial traditions clash with fears of contagion
The article is about how Covid-19 has affected the religious burial practices of those who died from infection in the Middle East. Attention focuses on the contrasting differences between how the infected bodies were handled, where they were layed to rest, and traditional preparational practices that were foregone during the early stages of the Pandemic due to the lack of knowledge and fear about the virus itself, resulting in discord between deeply religious family members of the deceased and government/health officials. -
2020-04-09
The Challenge of Social Distancing in Hasidic Communities
Frimet Goldberger writes about the effects COVID-19 is having on the Hasidic community in New York City, and also points out how their traditions and lifestyle are contributing to the exacerbated effects of the virus within their community. Household numbers considerably larger than the average American household, a deeply communal lifestyle, a lack of access to the news, and distrust in secular authorities and science are all contributing to the intensified effects that COVID-19 is having on the Hasidic community. Instead of blaming Hasidic Jews as a whole, Goldberger points a finger at rabbis that are in the position to warn their community about the threat of the virus and encourage social distancing protocol but choose not to. -
2020-04-13
Saudi Arabia Races to Contain Epidemic in Islam’s Holiest City
This article is about Saudi authorities rushing to contain COVID-19 in the Islamic holy city of Mecca. It goes on to talk about how Saudi Arabia is doing everything they can to shield Mecca specifically because of its importance to the worlds Muslim population. -
2020-04-17
Ventura County faith leaders demand officials allow socially distant gatherings amid coronavirus shutdown
This article follows the feelings and actions of religious leaders during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The article follows the journey of a pastor and a rabbi to hold religious services, though gatherings of more than ten people are prohibited in Ventura County. They believe that attending religious services are part of an American's First Amendments Rights. According to them, the prohibition of in-person religious services is unconstitutional. -
2006-04-10
Bakersfield churches celebrate Easter in a new way
The premiss of this article is how community members in Bakersfield, California plan on spending Easter holiday with the shutdowns of everything but essential places. Deborah Leary had never missed going to a Good Friday service even when 9/11 took place, has to now watch Good Friday service online due to COVID-19. Many people are relying on live streams for their religious services and believe these times will teach them that they can still get sermons or other religious services by not having to physically attend a place of worship. -
2020-04-04
Coronavirus: Europe's forgotten Roma at risk
This article discusses the current crisis in Europe and particularly the hard impact on the Roma community and many ways their comunity was already suffering and lacking in infrastructure to be adequately prepared for the virus. The article also discusses a number of legislative actions by European countries specifically targeting Roma communities. -
2020-04-18
Looking at religion during the COVID-19 pandemic
This article talks about the life for christians since the COVID-19 breakout that has happened in the United States. Most importantly is it talks about how people need hope during this time of distress and how the church can bring such thing into peoples lives. It also discusses how people have adapted to still fulfill there religious obligation even with everything that is going on. From having confession outside, park and pray, and so much more.