By Albert Thyrniang
Assam now has 27 Covid+ cases of which 26 are related to the Tabligi Jamaat held at Nizamuddin, Delhi. Among the 2000 or more devotees, 457 are from various districts of Assam plus some from other states like Meghalaya. It’s a herculean task to trace them and their contacts. And since people are not coming forward the Health Minister has said those hiding would be facing criminal charges.
COVID 19 is causing devastation in the entire globe. We are reeling under the onslaught of this respiratory disease caused by a tiny virus that first spread from its birth place, Wuhan city to Italy after thousands of Chinese workers returned to Italy from China after the Lunar New Year celebration in their country. From there the virus found its easy routes to USA and the rest of the world. In hindsight it is easy to say why. By the time the virus reached Italy and Europe it was known that the disease spreads from person to person. But Europe continued with life as usual. The football stadia in Italy, Spain, France, Germany and England were filled to their capacity as fans filled every seat available to cheer their favourite teams in their respective domestic league competitions. National and Olympic stadia were also packed with thousands of enthusiastic fans supporting clubs involved in continental completions, namely the Champion League and Europa Cups. Beaches, night clubs, restaurants, super markets were all perfect tools for the virus to transmit. The free life style of the west makes might have also played in thr quick spread of the virus.
In addition to social and economic transactions, religious gatherings also contributed significantly to the spread. More and more reports are coming out that huge religious gatherings involving participants from multiple nations are responsible for taking the virus around the globe. Some irresponsible gatherings are the 150,000 clerics congregation in Pakistan, Christian Open Door church in France, mosque gatherings in Indonesia and Malaysia (all include foreign nationals).Some of the organisers and preachers in these gatherings were both callous and careless. Many were stubbornly defiant. They uttered things that clearly showed they had their faiths misplaced. A pastor was seen and heard saying, “Coronavirus will not close the church but the church will close coronavirus”. A foreign preacher proclaimed in February, “Christ will make sure coronavirus will not step into Hyderabad”. Another one in England declared, “Those who have faith in God will never be touched by the virus.” In USA the other day a preacher proudly declared, “I banish coronavirus from America”. A powerful cleric in Pakistan proclaimed, “God will protect us” while refusing to suspend Friday prayers. Are these not false assurances? No one questions their conviction but they have placed millions of lives in danger.
In India politicians believe cow urine is the miraculous cure against the virus that is threatening to affect millions in the country. On February 14 Hindu Mahasabha chief organised a gaumutra (cow urine) party in Delhi. Following it a BJP activist also held cow urine consumption event in Kolkata during which one person fell sick after drinking the liquid and was arrested. A BJP MLA from Assam stated in the Assembly that cow urine and cow dung would cure the pandemic. In the meantime BJP president in West Bengal declared that divine intervention will ensure the safety of India.
Throughout the world churches, mosques, temples are shut. In our own state too we are under lockdown except for essential services. For Christians it seems the coming Easter will be celebrated at home. Many might ask if this is a defeat of faith. Is this not a test of faith? Why have religious places become venues for spreading diseases? How come while praying a deadly disease is transmitted? Why does God not prevent this from happening? Does this not question the power of the Almighty?
I am not in a position to answer the above questions but I might be permitted to say the following. God created humans to function according to the laws of nature. The digestive system, blood circulation system, respiratory system etc., function according to the rules of nature or as arranged by God. Similarly when foreign bodies get into the human system there is a natural reaction. If we drink poison God does not prevent it from harming the body. If we drink water with germs in it or if we breathe foul air we might fall sick. God does not ordinarily intervene if we do not follow the rules of hygiene. God does not act against medical science and science in general for he himself established them. So it is perfectly alright not to have religious functions at this point of time. Decisions must be taken in accordance with and not in contrary to scientific information and common sense.
Another dilemma should be cast out of our heads. A few messages came to my inbox and Whatsapp: Is it not wrong (a sin) not to participate in important functions like Good Friday and Easter? Again this is far from being a forum for doctrine dissemination. However, what is said below might be useful to expiate any scrupulous conscience. God is reasonable. If one has more urgent duties duty to perform it dispenses oneself from religious duties. For instance, if I have to take care of my ailing mother, there is no obligation for me to go to Church. Secondly,if it is physically impossible to attend a religious celebration God does not demand that we should. For example, if we can’t cross a river during floods the religious duty is absolved. Thirdly, if there is an imminent danger one is certainly not bound by any religious rule to show bravado. If wild animals are on the way to a religious place I should not endanger myself just to attend a Sunday Mass or a puja or whatever religious ceremony. Similarly, the case in point, by holding or attending Church services there is every likelihood that the Coronavirus virus will spread. Therefore, it is only right that church gatherings be cancelled.
As argued earlier, God does not prevent droplets containing viruses from entering into human respiratory systems while we pray and sing his praises. God does not suspend a natural course from operating in ‘sacred’ moments. God may not stop the natural cause of diseases or intervene directly to prevent or cure a disease. And certainly God does not save anyone if she/he ignores and disregards the clear warning signs and shows irresponsibility. It is good to remember that God helps those who help themselves.
Intense prayers and intercessions for miracles in Europe and USA and elsewhere are on. In this part of the world too prayers for God’s protection are naturally intensifying. Miracles do happen but they are rare. According to the Bible Jesus healed many sick people but he did not heal all the sick people of his time in Palestine. He did not put an end to the contagious disease of that time, leprosy. He performed miracles for a specific purpose. He healed the ten lepers to show how grateful or ungrateful people were. He multiplied the loaves and fish to draw lessons that material food is not the only value in life. If there was a miracle to end this ‘devil sent virus’ everyone would be happy. But Christianity exists not just for miracles. Miracles are to be taken in the right perspective. How could miracles be expected when China allegedly did not warn the rest of the world of the dangers of the virus? They were busy doing a cover up job. How can we expect God to intervene when people in Europe, America and the rest of the world ignored imminent signs of the outbreak of the pandemic? We might have to endure a painful and prolonged battle against this global pandemic and learn lessons from it.
Virologists and scientists say eventually COVID19 will affect everyone of us. When 60 or 70 per cent of the population gets the virus, the pandemic will end. Many will catch the virus without even realising it. The human body will ultimately develop a stronger immune system to keep the virus at bay. This immunity could come in the form of vaccines, if available. But anti COVID 19 vaccines are nowhere in sight. Therefore, the lockdown! Lockdowns are only a delaying tactic to prevent an uncontrollable outbreak. Meghalaya is lucky not to have the virus right now. It has given the government time to prepare to take on the tempest if and when it comes. The present shut down/curfew will have to be reviewed wisely.