#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:
5 August 2026
6.9 MINS
Census night is less than a week away, and the religion question is more confusing than it should be. Here’s exactly how Christians — practising or not — should answer it, and why the ABS’s design deserves scrutiny.
5 August 2026
5.2 MINS
Jesus’ words are not a suggestion, but a call to action for every believer. When we represent Jesus, when His life is formed in us and expressed through us, we become light in a world that still walks in darkness.
5 August 2026
2.3 MINS
What happens when the side arguing 'the West shouldn't be suspicious of Islam' essentially tells their opponents: 'Be nice to us or the mob outside will get you'? An Oxford debate provides the answer.
5 August 2026
3.4 MINS
A new study finds people with multiple myeloma need more than medical treatment, urging doctors to address patients’ emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs alongside clinical care, in the face of impending death.
4 August 2026
5.2 MINS
How do you feel about listening to music that's been made totally through machine learning? Does it matter if you can't tell if it was made by a human or AI? Could the lyrics and emotion still resonate with you? Now, what about AI music made to worship God, or spread the Christian message — does it actually matter?
4 August 2026
5.3 MINS
Alan Ritchson’s faith is sincere yet complicated, blending robust defences of Christianity with controversial political remarks, candid reflections on mental health and an unwavering commitment to family.
4 August 2026
9.1 MINS
Thirty Muslims living in the West have made their intentions crystal clear. They've announced their plans to dominate your country, replace your values, and transform your way of life — all on camera, in their own words. They're not hiding their Islamic agenda. The question is: When will we start believing them?
