{"id":100360,"date":"2021-03-15T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T12:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=100360"},"modified":"2021-03-15T09:09:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T13:09:59","slug":"nyt-clergy-preach-faith-in-the-covid-vaccine-to-doubters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=100360","title":{"rendered":"(NYT) Clergy Preach Faith in the Covid Vaccine to Doubters"},"content":{"rendered":"

During a recent Sunday service at the Gathering Place<\/a>, an evangelical church in Orlando, Fla., the Rev. Gabriel Salguero focused his sermon on the Covid-19<\/a> vaccine, and the fear and suspicion that his largely Latino congregation clutches so tightly.<\/p>\n

He turned to the New Testament: the parable of the good Samaritan, about the importance of aiding the stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn getting yourself vaccinated, you are helping your neighbor,\u201d he preached to about 300 masked and socially distanced worshipers. \u201cGod wants you to be whole so you can care for your community. So think of vaccines as part of God\u2019s plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Salguero is among thousands of clergy members from a cross-section of faiths \u2014 imams, rabbis, priests, swamis \u2014 who are trying to coax the hesitant to get vaccinated against Covid-19<\/a>. By weaving scripture with science, they are employing the singular trust vested in them by their congregations to dispel myths and disinformation about the shots. Many are even offering their sanctuaries as vaccination sites, to make the experience more accessible and reassuring.<\/p>\n

Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Many in congregations trust their pastors more than public health officials, which is why clergy members have been able to coax the vaccine hesitant into taking Covid 19 shots. https:\/\/t.co\/p79rjuFD0V<\/a><\/p>\n

— NYT Science (@NYTScience) March 15, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n