#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:
26 August 2026
1.6 MINS
Victoria's cults inquiry report lacks clear definitions and religious freedom safeguards. ACL welcomes support for survivors but warns mainstream churches and homeschooling families could be wrongly caught up.
26 August 2026
4.5 MINS
Hindu Dara Singh, convicted for burning missionary Graham Staines and his sons alive in 1999, is seeking early release. His case reopens questions about justice, remorse, and religious violence in India.
26 August 2026
5.4 MINS
A review of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico's 2023 sermon rejecting religious exclusivism, examining his claims about God's universality through both logical and biblical arguments against religious pluralism.
26 August 2026
1.9 MINS
Socceroos winger Nestory Irankunda has sealed a $24.5 million move to Sporting CP, capping a stunning rise from a Tanzanian refugee camp to Europe's elite, powered by family, faith and raw talent.
25 August 2026
2.9 MINS
As Australians question whether this year’s Census will undercount Christians, the 2026 National Church Life Survey offers a more detailed picture of Christian belief and practice around the nation — one that leaders say is overdue after years of Covid disruption.
25 August 2026
10 MINS
When Sophie Cunningham's comments on transgender athletes in women's sports went viral, a WNBA sideshow became something bigger: a clash between two rival stories about creation, identity, and redemption.
25 August 2026
3.6 MINS
FamilyVoice Australia marks 53 years of ministry with rapid digital growth, a landmark Christian Freedom Index, and election forums ahead—while facing a third year of financial pressure.
