In these difficult times of distress and uncertainty, it would be very positive if religious groups, voluntarily and in the spirit of life, used their freedom to keep their worship spaces closed during the pandemic. Without any need for legal decision.
As this has not happened widely, the temporary ban on religious activities in temples, even though there is tension and controversy these days, is a necessary action, with a legal and fair basis, to guarantee life and the common good. This is a measure supported by both the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Brazil has been a signatory since 1948. This affirms the rights to freedom, freedom of assembly and association, but, above all, that every person has duties towards the community and the collective good.
The defense of freedom of worship makes sense if it is preceded by the defense of life, individual and collective. However, different people and groups have paradoxically acted against life by opposing scientific knowledge, as illustrated by the notorious and public case of religious leaders, especially evangelicals and Catholics, in Brazil. The crowding in temples opposes the sanitary measures necessary to contain the spread of the coronavirus and, as a consequence, many of these leaders or their own peers have lost their lives. They are sadly converging on death.
The secular State guarantees the expression of religious affiliations and society must always recognize the importance of religion in personal life and in the social dimension of the country, after all, we are a nation with more than 85% population identified by some religious belief, according to the IBGE Census . Respecting this scenario and given the risk of death that plagues us, it is imperative to keep temples closed with restrictions on in-person activities, following health rules to defend collective life and freedom.
It is internationally proven by science and public experience that only through vaccination and, before that, social distancing and appropriate hygienic protective care, will it be possible to reduce the disastrous consequences of this pandemic.
Religious groups, which mean so much to the majority of the population, are able to continue with activities remotely, as has already happened, not only in the form of virtual meetings, but also in accompanying bereaved families, frightened patients, people hungry and without hope. This is also a way of maintaining faith communities in communion so that, after the pandemic is controlled, they can resume celebrations and other activities in their worship spaces with all the rights, as guaranteed by law. Freedom should never be used to kill or die, but rather and always to live.
Rio de Janeiro, April 7, 2021