#LetMyPeopleSing
It was Franz Kafka who famously wrote in his book The Trial, “It is often better to be in chains than to be free”. The ancient Israelites tragically agreed with that when they grumbled about wanting to go back to being slaves in Egypt (see Num. 14:2). But it seems like the Christian church has fallen into exactly the same temptation today in its eagerness to over-comply with the government’s COVID-19 health guidelines.on singing
Just take, for instance, the continued ban in New South Wales on singing. Every major denomination — Protestant and Catholic — has fallen over itself in expunging congregational praise from its worship. Even if one is wearing a mask. Meanwhile, over at the Sydney Cricket Ground, last weekend a packed stadium of Sydney Sixes fans chanted and sang, all while being completely unmasked. And no-one had a concern.
Rev. Dominic Steele, the Senior Minister at Village Church Annandale, has respectfully and concisely issued the following challenge on social media:
24 days is a long period of no community transmission.
There is now no remaining logic for the continued ban on singing in NSW churches.
Join me in praying that the NSW Government quickly sees sense on this issue.
However, I would go even further. It’s time for Christians everywhere to grow a backbone and stop being “evan-gelly-fish”. The NSW government has never officially ‘banned’ singing, but simply said that it is not recommended. Note, this is the same government which has also introduced some of the most extreme abortion laws in the world.
Let me be clear, this is technical legal jargon which has been carefully chosen to express the desire of the government without enforcing a legal penalty. However, from the response of most Christians though, you’d think that it had the authority of a papal encyclical.
No-one I know wants to put the health of their neighbour at risk, and neither do they deliberately want to go against government advice. But what has now become clear is that these recommendations discriminate against people of faith.
Steele is right. #LetMyPeopleSing
[Photo by Mariah Solomon on Unsplash]Recent Articles:
30 January 2026
3.9 MINS
A pending U.S. Supreme Court case over conversion therapy bans and free speech could influence Australian law, as faith-based counsellors argue viewpoint discrimination and client choice in therapy.
30 January 2026
3.5 MINS
Two radical Islamic terrorists showed Australia just how evil antisemitism could be. “Hate speech and gun laws will fix that.” Many disagreed. The government has ways to fix that, too.
30 January 2026
7.6 MINS
A fiery critique of Australia’s political and religious sensitivities, defending Scott Morrison’s call to confront Islamic extremism and accusing leaders of avoiding hard truths in the name of social cohesion.
30 January 2026
6.3 MINS
Militants storm a Nigerian church, abducting dozens and shattering families, as survivors plead for help. With government denial and rising terror, faith and international pressure become desperate lifelines.
29 January 2026
2.1 MINS
After Australia Day tensions, returning media figure Nancy Bell delivers a delayed national message blending satire, identity politics commentary, and cultural critique, positioning himself once again as a provocative Australian voice.
29 January 2026
2.4 MINS
A powerful wave of Gospel unity is rising across the South Pacific, as churches join forces for revival, discipleship, and Christ-centred nation building—sparking fresh hope for spiritual awakening across the region.
29 January 2026
3.7 MINS
Reports of mass killings in Iran coincide with rising U.S. military pressure and sanctions, as experts warn the death toll is unclear, but the regime’s brutal crackdown is undeniable.
