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Houses  of worship will be back. Churches, synagogues and mosques will reopen —  but they will do so when it is safe — not when they are pressed to do  so for partisan political benefit.

Who  is able to determine when it is safe for people to gather to pray?  Certainly not politicians. No, the only advice that is meaningful comes  from the scientific community, from epidemiologists, from doctors, and  from virologists.

The  vast majority of religious leaders understands and respects the meaning  of expertise. They look to those with knowledge for guidance on issues  related to that expertise.

The 17,000 clergy members who comprise The Clergy Letter Project originally came together to celebrate the compatibility of religion and  science, recognizing that each has something critically important to  offer. They challenged the fact that scientific expertise was being cast  aside by some in the name of religion, understanding that this was an  affront to the principles of their faith while undermining the very  nature of science.

Now,  in the face of a deadly pandemic, some politicians are attempting to  use religion to advance their narrow special interests. These  politicians are telling (perhaps demanding is a more appropriate word)  clergy to open their houses of worship, to demonstrate that we’ve  defeated the pandemic before us, despite the very clear warnings being  offered by the scientific community that to do so is to risk increasing  the toll of death and misery.

These politicians misunderstand virtually everything meaningful about religious belief.

They don’t recognize that religion doesn’t need a physical building or sanctuary to remain alive and thrive.

They don’t recognize that religion is every bit as much about community as it is about physical closeness.

They  don’t recognize the strength that has been present as religious  communities come together virtually to pray, to demonstrate compassion,  to mourn, and to look to a better future.

They  don’t recognize that at the core of all religions is a deep belief in  the well-being, both spiritually and physically, of all people.

They  don’t recognize that religion and science are not at odds with one  another and that religious leaders can celebrate the knowledge science  offers.

And they don’t recognize that the vast majority of clergy do not see themselves as pawns in a manufactured culture war.

This is a widespread movement, far bigger than The Clergy Letter Project.

Two examples will demonstrate the depth of feeling within the religious community.

Clergy members from Memphis representing a wide array of faiths have produced a powerful video explaining why they will not open their houses of worship until it is safe to do so. Heed their powerful words:

We  make our decisions based on love, morality, and the best of medical  science, not expediency. We love the vulnerable and the lonely, those on  the front lines of healing and supply chains, so until it’s safer, many  of us are delaying face to face gatherings for praise and worship, for  Shabbat, for jummah, for holy eucharist.

Clergy members from Virginia have written a letter to Governor Ralph Northam urging caution. They said, in part:

Many  faith leaders will also experience great pressure to reopen for  worship, hold funeral services, and other physical gatherings…. In the  beginning months of this pandemic, religious gatherings contributed  greatly to the spread of COVID-19. We’re fearful a premature reopening  will only exacerbate this problem. We want to be part of the solution,  even if it means sacrificing our preference for in-person gatherings a  little longer for the sake of others.

Yes,  there are some religious leaders who have a different perspective, who  believe their faith protects them from the virus. Unfortunately, we are  increasingly seeing that some of these very same religious leaders,  along with their parishioners, are falling ill and dying.

It  is important to recognize that this small but vocal minority does not  represent the vast majority of the religious community. That majority  has a different perspective, one that embraces life, demonstrates  empathy and compassion, understands the value of science, and treasures  the community arising from close friends.

These  religious leaders are taking the steps necessary to keep people safe,  to find ways to feed souls and stomachs during a challenging time, and  to remain above the needless and damaging politicization of religion.

I’m proud to call many of these religious leaders my friends.