Since the coronavirus pandemic began, religious organizations around the country have been grappling with how best to give their followers spiritual fulfillment while serving them safely. While many have embraced virtual or limited services, some church leaders have remained defiant and insisted on holding large services in the face of social distancing restrictions.

Last week, Florida officials arrested a Christian megachurch pastor after he held two Sunday services with hundreds of people in attendance and violated a stay-at-home order, according to The Associated Press and USA Today. Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was charged with unlawful assembly and violation of a public health emergency order, and he was released after posting bond. Howard-Browne later announced during a radio show that he was closing the doors to his church to protect his congregation "not from the virus but from a tyrannical government," according to The Hill.

In another clash with government officials over holding services, police in Louisiana issued a summons last week to the pastor of a church near Baton Rouge after he held services for 1,200 people in violation of state stay-home limitations, the Los Angeles Times reported. The pastor, Tony Spell, defied the social distancing order again and held services on Sunday, according to Reuters.



Photos: COVID-19 Impacts Religion View All 25 Images



Even though there are some "very notable outliers" around the country, "by and large, most faith communities are following the public health guidance out there," says Maggie Siddiqi, director of the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank.

Indeed, a majority of respondents to a late March survey from the Public Religion Research Institute said they were more likely to avoid all group activities asked about – such as flying on an airplane and attending a concert or sporting event – with there being "no differences between religious and non-religious Americans," says Robert Jones, CEO and founder of PRRI.

"Generally speaking, I think the physical distancing message has finally gotten out," Jones says. "While there are a few rogue pastors out there, the vast majority of religious leaders, and their congregants, seem to be avoiding large gatherings. And that's good news for everyone."

On the whole, most faith organizations seem to be getting the message and sharing it among their congregants. Religious organizations should comply with policies "as long as they do not discriminate against religion or religious entities for no good reason," says Travis Weber, vice president for policy and government affairs at the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian advocacy organization.

"Our view has been that pastors and churches should cooperate and work with the government, as the civil authorities attempt to enact policies that are intended for the well-being of all of the country," Weber adds. "We need to help be a part of the solution and not the problem."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued interim guidance to leaders of faith-based organizations, urging them to decide whether to modify religious rituals such as holding hands during services and the methods of collecting cash contributions. The CDC also advises leaders to give people the option to watch services online if someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 has been in their facility recently.

States vary in how they are advising religious organizations to proceed during the outbreak. In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan issued guidance on Wednesday saying that services should be limited to no more than 10 people inside a religious facility, and that participants, clergy and staff should remain at least 6 feet apart from each other. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine's stay-at-home order lists religious entities as essential businesses and operations.

"I do think it's essential in the sense that it's important to people and it's a compelling part of their lives," Weber says. He applauded states that have listed religious services as essential while also requiring that they adhere to social distancing guidelines, which he calls a "very sensible approach, because then it allows people to continue to worship to the extent they can and yet do what we all can to restrict the spread of the virus."

Some push and pull between religious organizations and government officials will likely continue as coronavirus case and death numbers rise globally. But Siddiqi does not think that there's a "balancing act here with religious liberty," given that the pandemic is such an "unprecedented" situation, she says.

"For a lot of faith communities, it is an act of faith to adhere to social distancing and to adhere to public health guidance to preserve the lives of their community members and those around them," Siddiqi adds. "Viruses do not discriminate."

Jones also does not see this as a religious liberty issue because the world is "facing a once in a century kind of public health emergency," he says.

"Churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions are being treated equally with nonessential businesses that are being asked to close to protect public health," he adds. "For most religious traditions, the idea of self-sacrifice in service to the community and common good are core theological principles. These temporary measures are consistent with those beliefs."

Still, for many religious services, navigating the new normal is not quite so simple.

"Not everyone has an internet connection," Siddiqi says. "Not everyone can engage in rituals in the same way. Certainly for Muslims, congregational prayer cannot be conducted over an online service."

But Siddiqi says faith leaders are being "really creative and really innovative" during this challenging time, noting that she's heard about sermons being shared over platforms like WhatsApp. Weber says his own church is making similar adjustments.

Regardless of the approach, Siddiqi says that with religious holidays like Passover, Easter and Ramadan coming up soon, it's "critically important that faith communities follow the public health guidance."