Covid-19 daily new cases - Michigan (Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 03:00 AM EDT) |
Two parents, supported by a Catholic School, are suing the US state of Michigan over the order requiring school students to wear a facemask at all times. They claim the order violates their religious beliefs.
At the time of writing, Michigan is experiencing a high and rising second wave of Covid-19 cases, with a record high of 3555 new cases on Oct. 29.
In their submission the parents, Christopher Mianecki and Stephanie Smith, acting for their respective children, and Resurrection Catholic School from Ingham County, Lancing claim:
In accordance with the teachings of the Catholic faith, Resurrection School believes that every human has dignity and is made in God’s image and likeness. Unfortunately, a mask shields our humanity. And because God created us in His image, we are masking that image.
Resurrection School et al. ... by LansingStateJournal |
For reasons which were not explained, but which reads more like an advertisement for the school, the plaintiffs also maintain:
Resurrection School seeks to instill [sic] confidence in its students and encourage social interactions that replicate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
For example, Resurrection School seeks to impart the virtue of mercy through actions of forgiveness. For example, when a student has wronged or hurt another student, a teacher guides the student through the reconciliation process and facilitates a face to face apology with the student who was harmed. A mask interferes with this important human interaction—an interaction that is essential to the spiritual well-being of the students.
I assume this reconciliation process, laudable though it is, only depends on words being spoken and not on anything that a facemask would interfere with. Maybe it isn't considered essential to teach children to respect and have regard for the health and welfare of others. Along with the evangelical Christians who have been shown in surveys to have a low regard for other people, Resurrection School appears to be teaching its children that it is fine to risk the health and welfare of others to avoid the slight inconvenience of having to wear a facemask.
These same hypocrites are normally vociferous 'pro-lfe' advocates when it comes to other women's reproductive rights.
An explanation for this selfishness can be found a little further on in their submission when it soon becomes clear that there is a right-wing, libertarian political motive too:
For many individuals, including Plaintiffs, the excessive or unreasonable mandated wearing of a face mask has become a symbol of oppression and an attempt by the government to control the citizenry. This view was recently expressed by the below political cartoon published in the Wall Street Journal:
For many, including Plaintiffs, forcing them to wear a face mask is forcing them to convey a message with which they disagree even when socially distanced in private homes or nonpublic schools. Wearing a mask conveys the message that the wearer has surrendered his or her freedom to the government, particularly in light of the facts of this current declared pandemic. During this current political climate, a mask has become a symbol. And because a mask has become a political symbol, the wearing of a mask is a form of symbolic speech. Consequently, via the mask mandates, Defendants are compelling Plaintiffs to engage in a form of expression and to convey a message with which they disagree.
Top Ten Counties for New Coronavirus cases (Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 03:00 AM EDT) |
Where is the obedience to St Paul's instruction to obey the government, with:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
But not when that would infringe the right of every Christian to do what he or she wants, regardless of the dangers to others in that action. Under Donald Trumps leadership, facemasks have become a political symbol and these parents and the Resurrection Catholic School are on the side of greed and selfishness and stand foursquare against any attempt to interfere with the raging coronavirus pandemic currently killing 10-20 peopleand infecting 30-35,000 new people in the state of Michigan every day.
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