As governments introduced lockdowns around the world, many wondered if politicians were purposely targeting Christians. Why did governments ban church services but allowed casinos to remain open?

Some are even wondering if the chief medical officer for the Canadian province of British Columbia, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is doing the same.

In his article for the National Post, Father Raymond J. de Souza explains:

She took her big stick to religious believers last November, banning all in-person religious services. All of them, everywhere, no matter what the local conditions, the size the house of worship, the nature of the congregation. Wherever two or three would gather in the Lord’s name, there was Dr. Henry in the midst of them telling them to go home.

That draconian and arbitrary order remained in place until just days ago, a complete abolishing of religious liberty in British Columbia for four months. Only days ago, in the face of court action this month, did Dr. Henry loosen her grip ever so slightly. Even then, she insists on keeping most people outside in their cars — windows rolled up, I expect — while only a few stragglers are permitted to enter.

There is not a shred of scientific data to justify treating religious gatherings more strictly than other gatherings — watching a hockey game at a bar, for example. The BC Centre of Disease Control reports that fewer then 300 cases have emerged from religious gatherings, less than 3/1000ths of B.C.’s 95,000 cases to date.

READ: Raymond J. de Souza: B.C.’s Dr. Bonnie Henry takes her big stick to religion

In November 2020, the US Supreme Court ruled that New York’s ban on church services was unconstitutional because it was unfairly banning religious services, while allowing businesses to remain open:

“[T]here is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that reopen liquor stores and bike shops but shutter churches, synagogues and mosques.”

US Supreme Court

READ: Supreme Court Backs Religious Challenge To Cuomo’s Covid Restrictions; Barrett Delivers Decisive Vote AND US Supreme Court Blocks Cuomo’s NY Coronavirus Limits on Houses of Worship