Faith-based organizations have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to both the humanitarian needs and the legal challenges created by the policy responses to the virus at the local, state, and federal levels. Whether through food banks, emergency clinics, financial help, and support for the elderly, or through counseling, encouragement, and guidance in the face of loneliness and stress, religious organizations have provided invaluable help to individual Americans and their communities. The challenges posed by COVID-19 are as much local as they are national, and these institutions have the long-established capacity, resources, and flexibility needed to discover, mobilize aid for, and meet the unique needs of their communities in ways that government—no matter how well-meaning—simply cannot.
Yet the role of religious organizations in society and pandemic response has not been without controversy. Faith-based institutions have found themselves restricted by some local and state pandemic policies that were applied inconsistently across activities, seeming to favor secular or commercial entities and discriminate against religious activities. In response, religious institutions have engaged in civil disobedience and relied on the courts to protect the First Amendment rights of people of faith. These challenges remain ongoing and it is important that these civil liberties are preserved for all Americans, regardless of faith choice.
Key Heritage Research:
- Emilie Kao and Andrea Jones, “America’s Faith-Based Groups: Helping Neighbors in a Time of Crisis,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 27, 2020.
- Kevin Pham, MD, “What We Can Learn From COVID-19 Restrictions on Houses of Worship in 2 States,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 22, 2020.
- Emilie Kao, “Houses of Worship Play an Essential Role in Hope and Healing,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 4, 2020.
- Zack Smith, “Supreme Court’s Decision Allows Nevada Governor to Favor Caesars Palace Over Calvary Chapel,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 29, 2020.
Appendix of Heritage Research:
Emilie Kao, “Discrimination Against Churches Didn’t Have a Prayer at the Supreme Court,” ArcaMax, December 31, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/commentary/discrimination-against-churches-didnt-have-prayer-the-supreme-court.
Melissa Moschella, “The COVID Vaccine and the Pro-Life Movement,” First Things, December 9, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/public-health/commentary/the-covid-vaccine-and-the-pro-life-movement.
Joel Griffith, “Here We Go Again: Cuomo, de Blasio Blame Jews for Jump in COVID-19 Cases,” The Daily Signal, October 12, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/civil-society/commentary/here-we-go-again-cuomo-de-blasio-blame-jews-jump-covid-19-cases.
Melissa Moschella, “In Responding to Coronavirus, We Should Seek to Thrive, Not Just Survive,” Daily Signal, August 19, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/public-health/commentary/responding-coronavirus-we-should-seek-thrive-not-just-survive.
Jonathan Butcher, “Oklahoma Homeless Students Benefit From Private School Scholarships,” RedefinED, August 17, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/oklahoma-homeless-students-benefit-private-school-scholarships.
Zack Smith, “Supreme Court’s Decision Allows Nevada Governor to Favor Caesars Palace Over Calvary Chapel,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 29, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/courts/commentary/supreme-courts-decision-allows-nevada-governor-favor-caesars-palace-over-calvary.
Kevin Pham, MD, “What We Can Learn From COVID-19 Restrictions on Houses of Worship in 2 States,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 22, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/public-health/commentary/what-we-can-learn-covid-19-restrictions-houses-worship-2-states.
Angela Sailor and Ryan Tucker, “In Choice Between Gamblers and Churchgoers, Government Officials Are Loading the Dice,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 3, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/commentary/choice-between-gamblers-and-churchgoers-government-officials-are.
Zach Smith, “Despite Win in Wisconsin, Religious Discrimination Remains During Lockdown,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 10, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/commentary/despite-win-wisconsin-religious-discrimination-remains-during-lockdown.
Zach Smith, “How 5 Justices Botched the California Church Case on COVID-19 Restrictions,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 5, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/commentary/how-5-justices-botched-the-california-church-case-covid-19.
Zack Smith, “How 5 Justices Botched the California Church Case on COVID-19 Restrictions,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 5, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/commentary/how-5-justices-botched-the-california-church-case-covid-19.
Emilie Kao, “Houses of Worship Play an Essential Role in Hope and Healing,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 4, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/commentary/houses-worship-play-essential-role-hope-and-healing.
Zack Smith, “Phased Reopenings in California, Minnesota Discriminate Against Religious Services,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 22, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/commentary/phased-reopenings-california-minnesota-discriminate-against-religious.
Melanie Israel, “Abortion Is Planned Parenthood’s ‘Essential’ Billion-Dollar Business,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 21, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/life/commentary/abortion-planned-parenthoods-essential-billion-dollar-business.
Zack Smith, “Believers Have Right to Congregate at Easter Despite COVID-19 Crisis,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 13, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/believers-have-right-congregate-easter-despite-covid-19-crisis.
James Otteson, “Coronavirus Crisis Creates Opportunity—And Reveals This About Ourselves and Others,” Fox News, April 3, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/civil-society/commentary/coronavirus-crisis-creates-opportunity-and-reveals-about-ourselves-and.
Emilie Kao and Andrea Jones, “America’s Faith-Based Groups: Helping Neighbors in a Time of Crisis,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 27, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/commentary/americas-faith-based-groups-helping-neighbors-time-crisis.
